How to regulate your cycle with plants?

We all have in mind that a normal cycle lasts 28 days. But can we really talk about irregular periods if they only come after around thirty days? No, because those 28 days are an average, with a realistic range of 21 to 35 days. Below and above this, we refer to short cycles linked to a short pre-ovulatory phase, or long cycles due to a long post-ovulatory phase.

Irregular periods often share a common thread: a delayed or absent ovulation.

Whether or not you wish to conceive, ovulation is a phenomenon that should be closely monitored, as it reveals a great deal about a woman's overall health. If the body is functioning well and the environment feels safe, the brain sends the necessary signals for a potential pregnancy by enabling ovulation. If this is not the case, it means the brain has perceived a danger, which can take several forms — such as malnutrition, fatigue, stress, hypothyroidism…

To bring periods back in cases of amenorrhoea, the first step is to remove these potential "threats" from our immediate environment, before taking a supplement to support conception.

Irregular periods can also be a consequence of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, or may signal the onset of perimenopause. 

We will look later at how to naturally shorten periods in order to rebalance the cycle and thereby ovulate, using natural methods.

If you have recently stopped taking the pill, you may also find it difficult to return to regular cycles — or to have a cycle at all. This is normal, as this form of contraception prevented you from ovulating for months, sometimes years. Your ovaries may take time to start ovulating again. 

This is known as post-pill syndrome. There is no need to panic, however, as this phenomenon is reversible over time, and it is possible to manage the transition more comfortably by taking back control of your lifestyle habits.

Pink Balance, our red berry powder, will be your ally in cases of irregular cycles. It contains adaptogens such as maca and shatavari, which help your body produce or modulate hormone production according to your needs. It is also rich in B vitamins — and the pill depletes certain nutrient stores, particularly vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, and B12.

Although this belief persists, having your period is not supposed to be painful, nor should your flow be too heavy. It is normal to feel mild contractions in the lower abdomen, as this is how the uterus sheds its lining and triggers your period. Cramps that leave you unable to cope despite medication are a sign of a hormonal imbalance or endometriosis.

Rebalancing your cycles also involves your flow. A flow that is too heavy or periods that last more than 7 days can have several causes. It is essential to discuss this with your doctor, midwife, gynaecologist, etc., especially if it occurs suddenly. Please note that if you use a copper coil, it is common for this to increase inflammation and cause more painful and heavier periods.

It is also normal for periods to be accompanied by fatigue, but mood disturbances during the 10 days beforehand can fortunately be avoided by working on your lifestyle habits.

If you have painful and/or heavy periods, our food supplements for painful periods will be there to help you. 

It is important to distinguish between periods and spotting. Periods occur approximately a fortnight after ovulation. If you notice bleeding before or after, this is referred to as spotting.

A very light flow one to two days before your period is a common occurrence and nothing to worry about.

Similarly, if you notice bleeding mid-cycle: this is generally linked to ovulation.

Finally, if you notice bleeding outside these periods, it may be a case of false periods. These are linked to an anovulatory cycle or to more serious conditions such as fibroids, polyps or endometriosis. If in doubt, consult your gynaecologist, who will be able to offer a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

When it comes to restoring harmonious periods, the most effective approach is of course to work on lifestyle habits — thinking about diet, your immediate environment, and reducing stress.

Fortunately, there are also a number of remedies that have been used for centuries in the form of oils, infusions, bud extracts, or concentrates to help us better manage the symptoms linked to our cycle. Here we detail how to shorten your period naturally through various plants.

Raspberry leaves

Raspberry leaf has long been a trusted ally for women of all ages. Whether as an infusion or in bud form, these leaves are used to regulate cycle length, period duration, and flow volume in cases of heavy periods. It is also used when cycles are very long, to help bring on a period. Combined with nettle, it supports better recovery during menstruation, thanks to their richness in vitamins and minerals.

Supporting mood

Scientific studies have demonstrated the impact of chamomile [1], as well as St John's wort [2], on mood and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Chamomile is a plant used very regularly by those who are sensitive to periods of hormonal upheaval, as well as those whose periods take a long time to arrive.

As for St John's wort, it contributes to nervous balance, particularly around the time of your period. Its use is therefore especially indicated before your period, if this time of the month challenges you emotionally.

Ginger for pain relief

A study involving around a hundred American female students suffering from moderate to severe painful periods demonstrated the effectiveness of ginger on the intensity and duration of cramps [3]. I recommend taking it as a decoction, bringing it to the boil for around fifteen minutes in a pan of water.

If ginger feels too strong for you, valerian helps reduce excessive contractions during periods as well as prostaglandins, thereby contributing to pain relief [4].

Also see our article on natural antispasmodics !

Chasteberry for balance

By acting on the part of the brain that influences the ovaries, chasteberry (vitex) has been used for centuries for its progesterone-like properties. Traditional medicine also attributes to it the ability to decongest the uterus, making it useful in cases of PMS, for example.

Supporting the body with blackcurrant

In Chinese medicine, it is attributed with toning properties for the corticoadrenal axis, and therapists recommend it to help with inflammation, reduce stress, and address hormonal imbalances in general. It works well combined with raspberry leaf or saffron, as they potentiate each other's actions.

Pink Balance, our premenstrual syndrome food supplement made with maca and shatavari, 2 adaptogenic plants. It will be your ally during this time. 

Discover our raspberry leaf herbal tea 100% organic, to support and relieve you.

When in good health, periods should be regular and symptom-free. Even if you are not trying to conceive, maintaining good hormonal balance is important for your overall wellbeing.

As we have seen, when it comes to regulating your cycle, a wide range of plants known as women's allies can be helpful. We have detailed above how to shorten your periods naturally and regulate your cycle with plants. Lifestyle habits and environmental factors should not be overlooked either — they are essential levers for living more comfortably with your menstruation.

Please do not self-supplement. Food supplements are not without effect — they can interact with other supplements, foods, and medications, and may not be suited to your personal situation, not to mention the importance of choosing them carefully and adapting dosages. It is therefore advisable to seek guidance from a nutrition specialist (such as a naturopath or nutritional therapist). Do not hesitate to consult your doctor or another healthcare professional as needed.