Your Hormones. Your Superpowers.

Isn't it fascinating that people tend to assume that changes in a woman's mood or behavior are due to her hormones and periods? Many of us get even more upset when our partners ask us if we're on our period just because we're upset for "no reason." And often, we do the same ourselves. Think back to the last time you talked to your mother and were unnecessarily rude. I'm pretty sure that after you hung up, you doubted yourself and maybe blamed your hormones.

I want to give you permission to not need a biological excuse for your feelings. Life has its ups and downs. And one day looks different from the next.

It’s Normal.

However, our hormones and menstrual cycle can affect our mood. Sometimes we feel a little crazy! And even though it doesn't feel normal, it absolutely is.

It turns out that some women actually feel more anxious and irritable during their period, and we indeed feel more like having sex around the time an egg is released. (This isn't to say that symptoms can always or usually be explained this way.)

I don't want you to be disappointed because I will not address the fact that PMS is anything but great in this post. I want you to understand that your female hormones have pros and cons.

The Positive Impact on Women’s Brains

Sex hormones not only control our reproductive health but also affect our bones, hearts, guts, and even our brains.

So let's shed some light on the pleasant aspects of your female hormones so we can change the narrative from "Oh, I'm sorry for what I said during my period" to "My hormones are my superpowers."

The Menstrual Cycle

But before we dive into the shallows of the menstrual cycle, I want to emphasize that the menstrual cycle is different for every woman. The average menstrual cycle is said to be 28 days long, although most cycles are not textbook. Anything between 21 and 40 days is considered normal.

Menstruation, also called the period, or bleeding phase begins on day 1 and usually ends on day 5 or 6. The next phase, leading to ovulation (day 14), is called the proliferative phase. Menstruation and the proliferative phase form the follicular phase. The follicular phase is followed by the luteal phase (days 15-28).

All of this is controlled by the ebb and flow of four hormones: estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Your Hormones. Your Superpower.

Scientists have been studying the menstrual cycle since the 1930s. Thanks to this research, we now know that it has all kinds of quirky effects, from influencing a woman’s ability to give up smoking (yes, for healthy behaviors) to the types of dreams she has each night. Let’s have a look at two of your female superpowers next.

Communication Power

Female sex hormones make women great communicators, especially during and after ovulation. Generally speaking, women are better than men at interpreting and sending nonverbal social messages – and, oddly, particularly good at telling when others are feeling fearful. Women are great at reading emotions based on facial expressions, gestures, and body language. It's not just a cliché that women talk more than men; thanks to our hormones, we're better equipped to communicate verbally and nonverbally.

The main source of these positive behaviors is the ovaries, which release estrogen and progesterone in different quantities throughout the month.

Not only do they play a role in thickening the uterus and releasing the egg, but they also have profound effects on a woman's brain and behavior.

Memorizing Power

Another positive effect of female hormones is that we're better able to remember "implicit memories" when female hormones are higher. This is described as "the unconscious, effortless kind of memory, like brushing your teeth or baking a cake" (I'm not saying all women are great bakers, but some of my friends and I love to bake)

In addition to the skills that require implicit memory, memorizing words is important for developing communication skills.

For example (again using the baking scenario), "If I were to ask you, 'How much flour did you use to make this cake?' And then later, I’ll ask you, 'How do you spell flour?' 'You might spell it f-l-o-u-r, although most people, with the possible exception of my baking friends, would think of flowers first and spell it f-l-o-w-er. Because somewhere, your brain has encoded 'flour', and that has been reinforced.

This memorizing power is why women are more likely to use obscure words or phrases after hearing them from someone else or reading them in an article. Sounds like a female superpower to me.

Your Potpourri of Strengths

Your hormones are most important to your health, well-being, and interactions.

I want you to remember your wonderful potpourri of female strengths and use them as your superpower to change the narrative of hormonal health and get your best menstrual cycle - despite all the ups and downs.