Menstruation and chiropractic

Menstruation and Chiropractic

The female sexual cycle is a series of events during which a mature egg is released from the ovary into the reproductive system every 28-32 days. In the reproductive system, a series of changes occur to prepare for fertilization. The hormonal variations observed during the cycle are responsible for these changes, as well as for potential pregnancy. Some of the body parts involved in the menstrual cycle include the brain, the pituitary gland, the uterus and cervix, the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and the vagina. Chemicals in the body called hormones rise and fall in levels throughout the month, causing the menstrual cycle. The ovaries produce two important female hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Other hormones involved in the menstrual cycle are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), produced by the pituitary gland.

What Happens During the Menstrual Cycle?

Menstruation is part of the menstrual cycle, which helps a woman’s body prepare each month for a potential pregnancy. The cycle begins on the first day of the period. The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days; however, a cycle can last from 23 to 35 days. During the first half of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise, causing the lining of the uterus to grow and thicken. As a result of follicle-stimulating hormone, an egg (ovum) begins to mature in one of the ovaries. Around day 14 of a typical 28-day cycle, a surge in luteinizing hormone causes the egg to leave the ovary. This is called ovulation. During the second half of the menstrual cycle, the egg begins to travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Progesterone levels increase, which helps prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. If a sperm fertilizes the egg, and it attaches to the uterine wall, the woman becomes pregnant. If the egg is not fertilized, it dissolves or is absorbed by the body. If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, and the thickened uterine lining is shed during menstruation.

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Anatomically and physiologically, the female reproductive system can be considered to consist of three basic elements: the Hypothalamus, the Pituitary Gland, and the Ovaries. The dynamic interrelationship between these three organs enables the characteristic periodicity of the normal female sexual cycle. The morphological and endocrine modifications that occur in each female cycle constitute the natural consequence of the reproductive capacity of the species. The hypothalamus is a gland that is part of the brain and is located below the thalamus. It releases at least nine hormones that act as inhibitors or stimulators in the secretion of other hormones in the anterior pituitary, so it can be said to work in conjunction with it. One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system and the endocrine system through the pituitary gland. It is often considered the integrative center of the autonomic or vegetative nervous system within the central nervous system. It also performs functions of somato-vegetative integration. It regulates the homeostasis of the organism together with the pituitary gland through a negative feedback system (body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, anger, and menstrual cycle). Any anomaly that alters the normal functioning between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the ovaries, THAT IS, BETWEEN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, will determine an alteration in hormonal secretion and, in parallel, a disorder in fertility.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE ANOMALIES

Premenstrual Syndrome:

A disorder characterized by nervousness, emotional instability, anxiety, depression, and possible headaches, edema, and mastalgia. It occurs during the 7-10 days prior to menstruation and usually disappears a few hours after the onset of menstrual flow.

Amenorrhea:

Primary amenorrhea is the failure to initiate menstruation, accompanied by insufficient growth and absence of secondary sexual characteristics, or it can also be late puberty. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when women with normal menstrual periods stop menstruating for 6 months or more. The cause of the loss of cyclical menstruation can be a disorder of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, or other glands.

Menorrhagia:

Menorrhagia is excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding caused by abnormal endometrial shedding.

Dysmenorrhea:

Dysmenorrhea is very painful menstrual bleeding caused by: Excessive uterine contractions.

CHIROPRACTIC FOR WOMEN

Chiropractic cares for the nervous system. The Doctor of Chiropractic detects and corrects nerve interference or subluxations in order to reconnect the brain with the rest of the body, thus allowing each organ to function properly. We have seen previously that the menstrual cycle of women is directly related to the nervous system – since the main author of the cycle, “the hypothalamus,” is an organ of the nervous system. Interference in the nervous system prevents the hypothalamus from sending its information to the endocrine system, hormones cannot be secreted, and we will see the emergence of a disorder in the female sexual cycle.

However, Chiropractic does not cure anyone of anything. But it has been proven several times that restoring optimal neural function through specific chiropractic adjustments contributes to the improvement of homeostasis and physiological adaptation, allowing the body to express a higher level of health.