Hormones... Let's explore them through an Ayurvedic Lens

A regular menstrual pattern requires a functioning reproductive hormone feedback system, which includes the hypothalamus , anterior pituitary gland, ovaries and normal uterine and vaginal anatomy.

The menstrual cycle is switched on when the hypothalamus secrets gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which in turn initiates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary. FSH in turn stimulates the growth of a cohort of ovarian follicles (approx between 20-30 per cycle), the granulose cells of which produce increased amounts of the hormone oestradiol which in turn triggers a surge of Luteinising Hormone (LH) that causes the dominant follicle to ovulate.

As a result of the stimulation by oestradiol, the endometrium thickens in preparation for implantation of an embryo, should fertilisation and pregnancy occur. The dominant follicle resolves to become the corpus lute, which then produces progesterone and oestradiol.

If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus lute becomes non-functional and stops producing hormones, causing the the breakdown of the endometrium and menstrual bleeding begins.

The menstrual cycle is thought to go with the ebbs and flow of the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, coinciding with the average length of the menstrual cycle for most ovulating women. The healthiest flow, one that is most in tune with the lunar phases, will start on a new moon with ovulation occurring around the time of the full moon. When the moon is full, it is at its peak energy, pulling the egg from its home in the ovary.

The doshas also come to play and each dosha will show its face and have the most impact in specific parts of the cycle, and over the next couple of months we'll be exploring all of this and much more.