I don’t have crazy hair or a white coat, but, like other biohackers, I do perform self-experiments in the name of optimizing my health — just not in the way you’d expect. Here are the six ways I naturally improved my period and changed my life: For example, xenoestrogens are a common, man-made EDC that bind to your body’s estrogen receptor sites, throwing off the fragile balance of estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormones). Estrogen has been linked to everything from endometriosis to cancer to fibroids, and while more research needs to be done, I found that removing estrogen-mimicking chemicals from my life was a powerful first step in getting my periods back on track. I now opt for natural or homemade beauty and cleaning products and swapped my plastic storage containers for glass. Eating whole foods has also improved my blood sugar (I check it in the morning and after meals with a blood glucose meter). High blood sugar is often a sign of insulin resistance, which has been linked to disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). I now usually have eggs and greens for breakfast and pastured, grass-fed meat with loads of organic veggies for dinner. My hormones have thanked me. My top hack: a stress journal. When I’m stressed about something, I write it down. This lightens my mental load and later becomes a way for me to reflect on my stress. Over time, this has helped me control my stress in the moment, leaving my body with more resources for sex hormones. It sounds pretty crunchy, but studies have shown that increased levels of melatonin — the hormone that regulates circadian rhythms like sleep and ovulation — improve progesterone production, increase pregnancy rates, and help regulate the menstrual cycle. Melatonin production varies with light exposure, so minimizing artificial light after sunset is recommended to stabilize circadian rhythms. I put blackout curtains in my bedroom, use a nightlight around the full moon, and use the f.lux app on my computer to minimize light exposure at night. I’ve been shocked by the changes: I consistently ovulate with the full moon, get my period with the new moon, and have eliminated the crazy variability in my cycle length. Gut overgrowth of a yeast called candida has been linked to endometriosis. Gut dysbiosis (or bacterial imbalance) has been associated with everything from autoimmune disorders to depression, and emerging theories are even suspecting it in PCOS development. More studies are needed, but I found that supporting my gut health has made a huge difference in my periods. I lowered my carb and sugar intake (candida feeds on sugar, so this removes its food source), took caprylic acid to help kill it, and added a high-quality probiotic. This alleviated my intense period pain and healed the irritable bowel syndrome I’ve struggled with since I was a kid. My overproduction of cervical fluid pointed to high estrogen, and my low waking temperatures pointed to low progesterone. A lab test later confirmed my suspicions. Tracking my periods meant I could gauge whether new biohacks were improving the hormone imbalance that was likely behind my extreme period pain. It also guided my biohacks — my low progesterone led me to hack my sleep, and my high estrogen led me to trash endocrine disruptors. Overall, I’ve learned that biohacking, as strange as the stereotypes may be, can have profound effects on your health. I’m living proof that even the most severe period problems can benefit from a little self-experimentation, and I’m thrilled that I no longer need to rely on the Pill to manage my pain. Keep reading:
