The Benefits of Getting Your Period
If you think getting your period isn't fun or exciting, then you don't know how cool "the curse" really is! There are several benefits to getting your period; in fact, menstruation can actually be good for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
"I'd always considered my period a nuisance," says Trina Read, author of Till Sex Do Us Part: Make Your Married Sex Irresistible. "When I was pregnant and later breastfeeding, it was a relief not to get it. But after I had Andrew, I began missing it! It felt like a part of me went missing…and I was shocked by how happy I was to get my period back."
Your period can slow the aging process. According to Dr. Thomas Perls, a leading U.S. longevity expert, women age more slowly than men because menstruation causes iron loss. Iron feeds free radicals, which increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's. Losing iron via blood can lengthen lifespan - which may be one of the reasons women live longer than men .
Menstruation can offer hints that prevent disease. "When women menstruate, the color, odor, and texture of the menstrual blood can provide invaluable information as to the well-being of the woman," says Dr Lauri Grossman, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Humanistic Studies at the American Medical College of Homeopathy. Menstrual blood can offer early signs of developing illness and allow for the prevention of disease.
Your period can lead to more satisfaction in the bedroom. During menstruation, testosterone increases and enhances libido, which makes sex better for some women (and can be a benefit of getting your period!). "There is no reason not to have sex while on your period," says Dr Booth. "But, contrary to popular belief, pregnancy can happen if there is no contraception, because sperm can live for several days and fertilize the developing egg."
Regular periods offer information about your hormones. Regular periods are the best sign of hormone balance - as long as you're not pregnant, nursing or in menopause. A regular menstrual cycle shows that your body is working the way Mother Nature intended. "While most women associate premenstrual syndrome or PMS with their hormones, it's actually the absence of hormones during this period (a few days before menstruation) that leaves them feeling less than ideal," says Dr Booth.
For four more benefits of getting your period, go to Benefits of Getting Your Period - How Menstruation is Good for You!
Related Reading:
- 8 Natural Ways to Regulate Your Period
- Relief for Premenstrual Syndrome - PMS Help!
- 6 Things That Cause Irregular Periods
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created and maintains a series of Quips and Tips blogs: Quips and Tips for Successful Writers, Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals, and Quips and Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility. She's also the Feature Writer for Psychology Suite101.
