All the Support You Never Knew You Had for Your Lady Parts

At the time of this writing, I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard this last year about women going through incredibly challenging situations without good information or support about what was going on in their body–hysterectomies, cyst removals, surgery for endometriosis, iron transfusions for severe anemia after years and years of heavy bleeding, etc. I’m fed up. We can do better!

So I’ve decided to do a series of posts on holistic herbal support for a variety of these issues. And if you don’t identify as a woman but you have female parts, this is for you too–those of us with female anatomy are all in the same boat as we attempt to navigate these issues and get the help we need.

In the conventional medical model, we are generally encouraged to ignore or suppress symptoms, no matter how severe they are or how many years we have had them, until things reach a state of crisis. You may have always had horrible cramps and heavy bleeding, but were told this was normal or were just  totally ignored until your iron levels became so low it became life threatening. Then you likely had to wait another 3 months before insurance would cover an infusion. Which was really only a temporary stop gap.

When things get this bad they might suddenly suggest a hysterectomy, and will tell you it will likely be a good 3 months before you will be able to fit into your jeans again because of all the inflammation and swelling. Lovely. You will need to take a lot of time off work, whether you can afford to or not. It all really sucks, although on the bright side you will never have to deal with your period again and that is the one silver lining that gets you through.

But does it really have to be that bad? No, it often doesn’t if you have the right supports in place. Let’s break it all down:

Heavy Bleeding - If you constantly have heavy periods, that is very likely to lead to low iron over time, and that can become really serious. Luckily, there are herbs that are really helpful to make your periods lighter, although you may have to take a higher dose than you normally would with tinctures. You can keep the bottle in the bathroom and just take it whenever you change your pad/tampon. It really works! Yarrow tincture made from the fresh plant is safe for just about anyone, but if you need something stronger, that’s an indication to work with a clinical herbalist. 

Red meat from a healthy animal is the easiest and quickest way to restore iron in the moment (but it will not be enough if you have become severely deficient from years of depletion). Some women feel a significant boost in energy from having a burger or steak during their period.  It can be a real game changer.

Endometriosis, fibroids and Cysts - This group of issues are a little less straightforward and are more about lifestyle changes. The herbs can still play a role, but they aren’t the heavy hitters. Holistically, we support these issues by making the body less hospitable to creating the different conditions where endo, fibroids and cysts can thrive. Genetics can play a role here, but there is a lot we can do to minimize their impact.

We look at what you’re eating, your movement patterns (do you have to sit in front of a computer all day?), how much you’re sleeping,  and if you’re under constant stress. We see where there is wiggle room to switch things up a bit. 

Lymphatic, anti-inflammatory and herbs that have specific action on the pelvic region can all be supportive too, but they can’t do the whole job.

Post-Surgery Recovery - If you do end up needing surgery, there are a few things that can be profoundly helpful in accelerating your recovery time. Homeopathic arnica, taken at the right dosage (200ck is often a good choice), is remarkable at decreasing swelling and tissue recovery. I suggest taking it both internally and applying it as a gel (avoiding the incision itself), and starting it a few days before the surgery if possible. Keep using it throughout the recovery period.

Additionally, a surgery-recovery tea will go a long way. This is typically going to be a potent mix of vulnerary, lymphatic, anti-inflammatory and stress relieving herbs that you steep overnight and then sip throughout the day (a quart/day is ideal). I have seen women return to their normal weight within 5 days of major surgery with this combo of arnica and tea.

In my next post, I’ll address some other common issues relating to the lady parts. Thanks for reading and please spread the word–chances are you know someone (or multiple women) who are dealing with some of this right now, whether or not they are speaking up about it. It’s easy to stop talking when it feels like no one is listening, or when you just start to think there’s nothing that can be done about it anyway. Let’s help change the narrative!

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT medical advice. I am a clinical herbalist and my aim is to educate women on holistic options for their bodies. Herbalists do not diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.