Why Your Period Matters (Even If You’re Not Trying for a Baby)
When I was younger, I thought my period’s only real purpose was to tell me I wasn’t pregnant. It was the only context I’d ever heard it spoken about either in awkward school health classes or on TV where someone nervously counted days on a calendar.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realised something huge:
Your menstrual cycle is not just about fertility. It’s an indicator of your overall health, so much so that many health organisations across the world now consider it a “vital sign,” just like your heart rate, blood pressure, or temperature.
If you’ve ever thought your period was just a monthly inconvenience, I want to show you why it’s actually one of the clearest ways your body communicates with you.
Your Period Is a Monthly Health Report Card
A regular, healthy menstrual cycle tells you that your body is getting the right signals, producing the right hormones, and generally feeling “safe” enough to function optimally.
When something’s off irregular cycles, missing periods, extremely heavy or painful bleeds, it’s often your body waving a little red flag that something deeper needs attention.
Your cycle isn’t just about reproduction. It reflects:
Hormonal balance (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones)
Nutritional status
Stress levels
Metabolic health
Gut and liver function
Put simply: your period is monthly feedback from your body on the status of your health.
Understanding the Four Phases of Your Cycle
Before we go deeper into why your cycle matters, I wanted to remind you of the four phase you cycle through each month:
Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5):
This is your bleed, the shedding of the uterine lining.
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest.
Energy levels may dip, and rest becomes more important.
Follicular Phase (Days 1–13)
Starts on day 1 of your period but really ramps up after bleeding stops.
Estrogen rises, boosting mood, energy, and cognitive function.
Follicles in the ovaries prepare an egg for release.
Ovulation (Around Day 14 in a 28-Day Cycle)
The egg is released.
Estrogen peaks and a little testosterone gives you extra energy and confidence.
This is your most fertile window, but remember, ovulation’s benefits go far beyond fertility (more on that below).
Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)
Progesterone rises, calming the nervous system and supporting sleep.
Your body prepares for either pregnancy or the next cycle.
If pregnancy doesn’t occur, hormone levels drop and menstruation begins again.
Why Regular Ovulation Is About More Than Babies
Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough:
When you ovulate, your body produces progesterone and this hormone plays a huge role in overall wellbeing, not just reproduction.
Regular ovulation supports:
Bone health. Estrogen and progesterone protect against bone loss. Low levels over time can lead to osteoporosis.
Heart health. Estrogen helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supports blood vessel flexibility.
Mood stability. Progesterone has a calming effect on the nervous system and influences serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter.
Skin health. Balanced estrogen supports collagen production and skin hydration.
Cognitive function. Hormones influence brain health, memory, and focus.
When cycles are irregular or ovulation isn’t happening, you miss out on these protective effects even if you’re not trying for a baby.
When to Pay Attention (Signs Your Cycle Might Be Off)
While every woman’s cycle is unique, there are some changes worth flagging:
Periods that are absent for more than three months (and you’re not pregnant)
Very heavy bleeding or passing large clots
Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
Severe PMS that interferes with daily life
Intense cramping that doesn’t improve with basic care
These changes can signal underlying issues like:
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Thyroid imbalances
Hypothalamic amenorrhea (often due to stress, under-eating, or overtraining)
Endometriosis
Perimenopause
Nutrient deficiencies (iron, B vitamins, vitamin D, etc.)
Common Reasons for Missing or Irregular Periods (Beyond Pregnancy)
Chronic Stress. High cortisol can interfere with the brain-ovary communication needed for ovulation.
Under-eating. If your body senses a calorie or nutrient shortage, it may shut down reproduction to conserve energy.
Overtraining. Excessive exercise without enough recovery can disrupt hormonal signals.
Hormonal birth control. Certain forms stop ovulation completely, which changes natural hormone rhythms.
Thyroid issues. Both underactive and overactive thyroids can disrupt cycle regularity.
PCOS. Often linked to insulin resistance and androgen excess, affecting ovulation.
Perimenopause. Hormone levels fluctuate as the body transitions toward menopause, affecting cycle length and flow.
How to Support a Healthy Cycle
While the exact approach depends on the cause, some universal tips can support overall menstrual health:
Eat enough (and eat well). Prioritise balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and fibre-rich carbs to stabilise blood sugar.
Manage stress. Incorporate breathing exercises, yoga, or nature walks daily to help lower cortisol.
Prioritise sleep. Aim for 7–9 hours to allow your body to recover and regulate hormones.
Avoid overtraining. Mix strength training with gentle movement like walking or yoga.
Support gut health. A healthy gut helps your body metabolise and eliminate excess estrogen. Include fermented foods (if tolerated) and plenty of diverse plant fibres.
Track your cycle. Use an app or journal to note flow, symptoms, mood, and energy changes. Over time, you’ll spot patterns and know when something’s off.
Your Cycle Is Your Body’s Feedback System
Your menstrual cycle isn’t a nuisance to be ignored, it’s a built-in health report. If it’s missing, irregular, or dramatically different from your norm, that’s your body’s way of letting you know it needs attention.
Even if you never plan on having children, a healthy period matters for your bones, heart, mood, metabolism, skin, and brain.
So instead of dreading your period, start listening to it. Advocate for yourself when something feels off. Ask questions. Get curious.
If you’ve ever been told “it’s fine” that your period is irregular or absent, I want you to know that you deserve answers. Start by tracking your cycle for the next three months, note your bleed days, symptoms, energy, and mood. Bring that information to a healthcare provider who takes your concerns seriously.
Your period isn’t just about making a baby, it’s about making sure you are healthy.
With love and balance, my Friends x
