Balancing the 28-Day Moon Menstrual Cycle

Jan 27

5 min read

Updated: Oct 9

The Moon's Energy in Your Womb: Why Your 28-Day Cycle is Your Greatest Asset

By Monica Groover

The Moon's Energy in Your Womb: Why Your 28-Day Cycle Is Your Greatest Asset

I Used to Wear the Mask Too

If you know what doshas are here's my dosha type- a dual Kapha pitta. This means when I had my periods, the signs of both doshas were present during my moon cycle. When I was in my thirties and had a small baby, I resumed work in a corporate environment leaving my baby (now at university), with my mom and nanny.

I would end up working through mom brain, cramping and painful periods and if anyone asked whats wrong, I'd say, I am fine. I thought that was what being a professional looked like: steady, even, and never affected by anything going on inside me.

Maybe you know that feeling. Most of the women I work with do. We're quietly expected to smooth out our ups and downs so no one notices them, and we start treating our own nature as something to edit.

In one way, this issue is what made my connexion to Ayurveda stronger. I was attending Ayurveda classes at a local college and reading through ancient texs. One idea changed everything for me: women aren't linear beings. We're cyclical beings, closely tied to the moon. Trying to hide that rhythm wasn't making me stronger. It was not good for my baby who was missing me, and it was definitely wearing me out. Once I stopped seeing my cycle as a monthly illness, I began to see it as a source of power and insight. Yes, I quit a corporate job to take Ayurveda seriously as a would be profession.

The Night I Noticed the Moon

It was the night of full moon in october, specifically the day of Sarad Purnima. This is considered a very auspicious moon in India, by vaishnavites who worship Krishna.

I was meditating and asking a questions and felt the goddess answer me, while I sat near the window chanting in the moonlight. As I scanned my body, I feel healing of the moon enter my body.

From a jyotish perspective, moon regulates emotions and water. It stays in one house for apx two days in vedic astrology. It isn't a coincidence that the lunar month, astrological month and the average menstrual cycle are so close in length. Many women find it harder to sleep around the full moon, even if they never look out the window. And this connection doesn't end with menopause.

When I began to think of my body as moon-ruled, my relationship with time changed. I stopped measuring myself against a schedule that demands peak productivity every day. I gave myself permission to have weeks of high output, followed by real, moon-aligned rest. I'd love for you to give yourself that permission too.

My Period Became My Monthly Reset

I used to dread my period. Especially in the last few years before my periods stopped. Even though I took herbs to help my issues, I meditated at this time and thought of it as a sacred clearing: a time of cleansing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. And, the universe rewarded me by making me rejuvenated after the moon cycle would finish.

In Ayurveda, this process is guided by Apana vata, the body's downward-moving energy. Apana vata governs menstruation, and it also governs urination, elimination, and fertility. So when you honor your period as a natural detox, you're supporting your body's whole system of release.

Seeing it this way was my first step toward reclaiming my body. I hope it can be yours.

Our Doshic Constitution Shapes the moon cycle

Every woman's cycle has its own character, and your dosha is the blueprint. [Share your own dosha and how your period used to show up. Readers love hearing "this was me."]

Vata: Periods may be irregular or short. You might notice anxiety, restlessness, bloating, constipation, or pain in the hips, groin, or thighs. What helps: Warm, oily, cooked foods. Grounding herbs like shatavari, or yam support the downward flow of energy.

Pitta: Cycles are often intense, with heavy, bright red flow and sharp cramping. Anger, irritability, acne, and headaches are common. What helps: Cooling foods like cucumber and coconut water. Peppermint or rose tea, and herbs like Shatavari to soothe the heat.

I am now menopausal and my favorite hot flash busting routine is simply to bathe at night, followed by very cooling oil abhyanga (oil massage at the chest and head area). I also take cooling and bitter herbs to support the hot flashes.

Kapha: Periods feel heavy and sluggish, with water retention. The blood may contain clots or mucus. What helps: Warming, stimulating spices like black pepper, ginger, and Ajwain. Avoid cold, heavy foods that add to stagnation.

Stress Nearly Wrecked My Cycle

I worked like a maniac in my thirties, I was stressed out to the point that it was very much affecting my periods. I used gentle yoga, qigong, TCM herbs and Ayurvedic herbs to help with the stress. I also reduced my work hours.

Stress is the biggest disruptor of the menstrual cycle I know of. When we're in fight-or-flight, our bodies flood with adrenaline and cortisol, and the balance between estrogen and progesterone falls apart.

And we carry so much. I've felt the pull to be a "Super Mom," driving kids to activities every single day until I'm exhausted, just to feel like I'm doing enough. I refused to drive my kid more than one activity a week. Anything more than that, my husband does it.

Honestly, add the pressure to keep up with everyone else, and we end up living in a constant state of internal emergency. In my experience, that's at the root of most PMS and irregular cycles.

How I Reclaimed My Cycle (and How You Can Too)

Honestly, I am not trying to be preachy. I wish someone had told me these things when I was going through the perimenopause. It is in that spirit that I share these practices.

Track your cycle and its symptoms. Especially during those forties when the perimenopause symptoms are hitting. Track your cycle, take cooling and bitter herbs. Western, TCM or Ayurvedic--whatever works for you. Note your period days, symptoms, and moods. Patterns will show up faster than you expect. For example, you may note that eating less on period days or eating cooling drinks, and juices help or maybe you want to avoid spicy things during this time.
Honor your energy. I advise my clients to plan demanding work for my high-energy days and protect my low days for rest. Obviously this may not work for someone who works full time, but if your job is flexible, why not?
Connect with nature. Spend time outside, especially at the full and new moons. Full moon rituals are very powerful. See, if you can find a womans circle or simply moon bathe on a full moon day.
Eat mindfully. Notice what your body asks for in each phase. The right foods can ease symptoms and lift your whole month.
Make self-care non-negotiable. For me, it was a warm bath, and yoga. Find what helps you relax and recharge, and protect it.

Your cycle isn't something to manage around. It's something to listen to. If this resonated with you, I'd love to hear about your own rhythm in the comments.

Here's a quiz on the website if you want to know what is your doshic moon cycle.

Moon Cycle Quiz

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