One of the most common questions I get is around the subject of spotting. While some spotting is normal, there are instances where spotting is an indicator that there is an underlying health issue at play.

Spotting a few days before the period is normal (but not ideal) but if it’s more than three days consistently this should eventually be investigated by your health care provider. A hormone test can also be greatly beneficial to pin point what could be causing this.

So let's break the common causes of spotting down, shall we?

Period products have come a long way from the first period pad that had to be secured on using a garter like contraption.

Most people with a uterus bleed out of their vagina for 4 or 5 days every month from around age 12 to mid 50’s. Since most people who menstruate (approximately 26% of the world population) go through a box of tampons or pads a month, it is said that 250-300 pounds of pads, plugs, and applicators are thrown away in their lifetime. Unfortunately, none of these applicators, plugs, or pads end up decomposing in our landfill. This means that every pad and/or tampon that was ever created is still on this earth, living in landfills or swimming in the oceans. 

Many period advice books out there recommend yoga as a nourishing physical activity to do during menstruation, but this is not always the best advice.

Don’t get me wrong, periods are amazing. As a women’s health coach specializing in hormonal health, I’m a huge fan. But sometimes, we get so caught up with our monthly bleed that we forget about the most important aspect of our cycle. Ovulation. We only experience a true menstrual cycle after ovulation, and this is only possible when…

As women we are vulnerable to the “PMS Blues”. This is a time when we’re prone to mood swings, bloating, swollen breasts, irritability, acne, headaches, and cramps.

But this can be avoided!

Your period is an invaluable indicator of the overall health of your body. Think of it like a monthly report card providing a brutally honest evaluation of your diet, lifestyle, and environment. If you are suffering from painful periods, horrible mood swings, or perhaps not having periods at all, these are all indicators that something is wrong.