Full Moon And Menstrual Cycle: What Every Woman Should Know
What’s the connection between full moon and menstrual cycle? Are women affected by the moon? Find out now.
Ever feel like your period aligns with the moon? You’re not imagining things! Many women feel a deeper connection with their bodies during a full moon.
If your period seems to sync with the full moon, there might be some hidden meanings. From ancient myths to modern observations, the relationship between the full moon and menstrual cycle has sparked interests.
Discover what every woman should know about the full moon’s potential impact on their body in this blog post now!
This post is all about the full moon and menstrual cycle.
What You Should Know About the full moon and menstrual cycle.
Understanding women and the moon
As a woman, we often feel an impact or connection drawn to the people, which is not a surprise when you find out that the lunar cycle lasts for 29 days, the same as the average of our menstrual cycle.
Whether it’s ancient mythology or modern spiritual beliefs, the full moon has long been associated with fertility, emotion, and transformation.
But why is this relationship so compelling, and is there any truth to the idea that the lunar phases can influence a woman’s body?
Exploring historical and cultural significance
Ancient societies, like the Greeks and the Egyptians, believed that the moon governed the reproductive health of women.
The Greek Goddess Artemis and the Roman Goddess Diana, were often associated with both the moon and fertility.
Women in these time would gather under the full moon, practicing rituals to celebrate fertility and the natural cycles of life.
Why do many women feel the moon’s impact today
More and more women are turning to lunar calendars to track their periods, noting any correlations between the full moon and their own cycle.
The reason why us women feel connected to the moon might be a combination of ancient wisdom and modern mindfulness.
The moon serves as a reminder of natural cycles, and for many the full moon serves as a time to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with their body’s rhythms.
The science behind the menstrual cycle
So, is there any scientific research that states a relationship between a woman’s cycle and the moon? In fact, Charles Darwin, a famous naturalist was one of the first to propose a relationship in between these two.
On researches: a study claimed to be a link with findings on about 28.3% of the researched group began their periods around the new moon.
Another study done in 2013 found that there was no evidence of synchroncy, while another done in 2021, suggests the once synchronized link with the lunar cycle, has been disrupted by artificial lights and modern lifestyles.
The phases of menstrual cycle and how they work
The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases: menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation phase, and luteal phase.
- The Menstrual Phase (3-7 days): It’s when you have your period. Estrogen and progesterone levels are lowest. The body is in a state of renewal.
- The Follicular Phase (13-14 days): Starts after your period ends. Estrogen levels rise. Energy levels increase.
- Ovulation Phase: Happens about 2 weeks before your next period. Estrogen and energy level is at its peak. It’s when you most feel confident.
- The Luteal Phase: Happens after ovulation. If the egg is not fertilized, both estrogen and progesterone levels drop. Often when premenstrual syndrome (PMS) appear.
Scientific link between the full moon and menstrual cycle
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, many women report feeling a connection between the full moon and their cycle.
Some say they experience more intense emotions / physical sensations during the full moon, while others feel their energy peaks during this time.
Nevertheless, the moon has long been a symbol of femininity, fertility, and the cycles of life. Serving as a force, helping women to tune into their own cycles and embrace their natural rhytms.
Whether or not there is a scientific link, the moon remains a powerful metaphor for the cyclical nature of the menstrual cycle and flow of life itself.
The full moon explained
The full moon occurs when the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon. It marks the midpoint of the lunar cycle, which spans about 29.5 days. During this time, the moon is most visible.
What happens to you during a full moon
Many individuals report feeling more emotionally heightened during the moon, which is not necessarily a bad thing – it can be a time of increased creativity, insight, and motivation.
In many spiritual traditions, the full moon is seen as an opportunity to release what no longer serve you and to harness the energy for manifestation and transformation.
How the moon’s phases might influence your body
Beyond menstruation, the moon’s phases may influence other aspect of your body. For instance, you might feel more energized and creative during the full moon. Conversely, the waning moon is seen as a time for rest and reflection.
In traditional practices, like the Traditional Chinese Medicine, the full moon is thought to bring an increase in energy, which can lead to either heightened activity or some feelings of tension.
On the other hand, the new moon is considered a time for detoxification and resetting, offering an opportunity to align with your body’s need for renewal and restoration.
Can the full moon affect your menstrual cycle
Some finds menstruating in the full moon as a time of heightened sensitivity, others find that ovulation during this phase as coincident.
Modern society has largely shifted away from lunar-based calendars, but ancient cultures held the moon in high regard. The term “menstruation” itself derived from the Latin word mensis, meaning “month”, and shares a root with the word “moon”.
In various tradition, the moon was viewed as a symbol of fertility, life cycles, and feminine energy, further supporting the belief in its connection to menstruation.
Theories on why your period may align with lunar phases
Scientific theory thorizes that the moon’s gravitational pull influences the tides, may affect the water content in our bodies. Considering the human body is made up of 60% water.
This theory suggests that, just as the tide rise and fall in response to the moon, so might our internal rhythms shift with the moon phases.
Another scientific theory suggests that women may have evolved to synchronize their cycles with the lunar cycle, particularly the full moon, to make it easier for ancestral humans to engage in nighttime activities, like mating.
Does the moon’s energy really affect your body
The full moon is significantly brighter than the new moon, some studies suggest that this extra light may influence melatonin production.
A disrupt in melatonin production during the full moon could potentially affect the menstrual cycle, though more research is needed.
Another possible mechanism involves the body’s circadian rhythms, which are tightly regulated by light exposure. The moon’s phases could subtly alter circadian rhythms, which in turn might influence hormonal fluctuations, including estrogen and progesterone levels.
It’s also worth considering the role of stress and emotional states, which are often heightened during the full moon for some people.
Stress is known to affect the menstrual cycle, delaying or even causing missed periods. If you find that the full moon makes you feel more anxious or on edge, it’s possible that this emotional response could indirectly impact your cycle.
