Seed Cycling For Hormone Health & Balance
Seed Cycling?
A practice which claims (and is backed up by many holistic practitioners) to sort out the likes of premenstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, and general hormonal balance. The idea that eating certain seeds at certain times helps to regulate hormones? So does it?
The suggestions around seed cycling are that certain types of seeds (pumpkin, flaxseed, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds) work by helping to regulate the levels of oestrogen, progesterone and other sex hormones. By synchronizing your consumption of various seeds with the phases of your menstrual cycle, it can support/improve and relieve hormone-related symptoms e.g. PMS, PCOS, irregular periods, hot flashes, and increase your level of well-being overall. There are several claims/thoughts/beliefs that seed cycling can help you to conceive.
Let’s look at a typical seed cycling protocol:
You eat two tablespoons of ground seeds every day. You can mix the seeds into a smoothie or sprinkle them on your cereal/porridge. Whilst conversing with Naturopaths about this topic, they have all told me that the seeds should be raw and freshly ground.
Phase One: This phase - which is for two weeks, you eat a tablespoon of flaxseed and a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds (boosts oestrogen).
Phase Two: This phase - which is also for two weeks, you eat a tablespoon of sunflower and sesame seeds (boosts progesterone - the feel good hormone and the hormone required to ‘hold’ a pregnancy).
If you are menstruating, you would start phase one (pumpkin and flaxseeds) on the first day of your period and then move to phase two (sunflower and sesame) on day 14.
However, if you are no longer menstruating or have anovulatory cycles (no ovulation), you can start phase one on the first of the month, changing to phase two halfway through. A good friend synchronizes their seed cycling to the phases of the moon. She begins phase one on the new moon and switches to phase two on the full moon. She assures me she doesn’t howl at the moon…..
BUT WHY TRY SEED CYCLING? FURTHERMORE, WHY KEEP IT UP?
During a menstrual cycle that unfolds as it should, your oestrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall in a (usually) predictable rhythm, but as you approach perimenopause and menopause, your hormone levels begin to fluctuate more erratically. After menopause, production of both hormones settle and do so at a remarkably lower level.
Theoretically, seed cycling is believed to either enhance or inhibit the production of oestrogen and progesterone in the body (depending on what is needed). So therefore, phase one and phase two of the seed cycling program balances and optimizes your sex hormones, relieving the symptoms due to hormonal imbalance.
WHEN DO YOU REAP THE BENEFITS?
If you are menstruating, expect to see the benefits after 2-3 cycles. If you are not ovulating (depending on reasons behind why you aren’t) then up to 6 months. In conjunction with herbs, supplements and homeopathics, a good 8-12 months of seed cycling is enough to improve your chances of conception.
SHOULD I BOTHER?
Yes, absolutely. Even for the benefits of fibre and essential fatty acids in the diet (not to mention a great vitamin and mineral boost). I have to say, I see the benefits in my clients and even for myself. It isn’t harmful, break the budget too much and isn’t time consuming, so even if there is not enough research or science which can/can’t tell us a solid yes or no yet, then why not try it and see how it may help you?
Female Reproductive Health - Balance, Order, Rhythm & Harmony: Using the Sympto-thermal method (Avoid OR Achieve Conception)
As an accredited Natural Fertility Educator (with NFNZ) my role is to educate individuals, couples and even community/church groups about using the Sympto-thermal method (or also referred to as STM) to help to achieve a pregnancy or to use the method to avoid conception (pregnancy). Furthermore, I teach natural fertility/fertility awareness for those who may not want or need to use the STM method for contraception purposes or to achieve a pregnancy, but rather, enjoy being educated about their reproductive health.
I have clients in this bracket who simply want to learn for themselves whether they are ovulating and if so, when? Is it possible that they are having anovulatory cycles (not ovulating?). They may suspect PCOS and seek our support to see what fertility charting reveals for them. I see individuals and couples as young as 18 right through to mid-late forties.
Learning about your reproductive health allows you to be empowered when making decisions in relation to your health and wellbeing. Being an educator is a privilege and a role that I get much satisfaction from - I never get tired of teaching and the ongoing learning that comes with this role. So, without further ado, allow me to start by quickly dispelling the TOP myths surrounding the use of the Sympto-thermal method!!
Top Myths about the Sympto-thermal method:
It is the same as the rythm/calendar method
It is the same as the Billings method
It is not effective
It is time consuming
Top Truths about the Sympto-thermal method:
It is the most effective NFP (natural family planning) method currently available
Unlike the Billings method which relies only on the observation of cervical mucus to detect pre-ovulatory fertile days of your cycle as well as ovulation, the Sympto-thermal method involves taking the changes in the basal body temperature and combining it with one or more indicators of fertility (as described further below)
The Sympto-thermal method has a perfect use rate of 99% and typical use rate at 98%. Perfect use means the user is using the method as taught to them correctly ALL of the time whereas typical use is what generally happens in real life and takes into account human error. Read more here: https://naturalwomanhood.org/unpacking-the-effectiveness-range-of-fams-given-by-the-cdc/?fbclid=IwAR1BU49sAfdQMp-Fx85IiWZnbM674lq0XrZ4e2Kt6xJa_MDLJMxHq_p5Tqo
The sympto-thermal method requires you to take your basal body temperature via a thermometer every AM upon waking (typically taking 1-1.5 mins) and the observation and awareness of cervical mucus and vaginal sensation throughout the day. Both the temperature and cervical mucus observation/vaginal sensation awareness are recorded on a chart.
Learning the STM for Fertility Awareness can look like any or a combination of the below:
You may wish to use Natural Family Planning (NFP) to avoid pregnancy, by charting your fertility and then abstaining from intercourse on potentially fertile days
You may wish to use NFP to achieve a pregnancy by identifying the most likely time for conception
You may wish to chart your fertility and use a barrier method (condom) during the fertile time as your chosen method of contraception (known as fertility awareness with barriers or NFB)
You may wish to chart your fertility for self-awareness to help with PMS, or to help identify possible reproductive disorders (PCOS, Endo) in conjunction with a holistic health practitioner e.g. a Naturopath, Homeopath or Acupuncturist
Return to fertility for those who are postpartum/breastfeeding
The Sympto-thermal method defines fertility by TWO MAIN INDICATORS:
Cervical mucus and sensation changes which reflects the rise in oestrogen, indicate that ovulation may be about to occur, provide a suitable environment for sperm transport and survival
A rise in basal body temperature (BBT) which occurs about the time of, or just after ovulation and reflects a rise in progesterone
However, there is another sign which can be used as a back-up to the main two indicators. The cervix. The cervix can change position, openness and texture under the influence of the hormone, oestrogen. Fascinating stuff!
What else can you find out about your reproductive health/menstrual cycle using the STM method?
The length of your cycle
The length of your luteal phase (second half of your cycle from the first high temperature recorded to the day before your next period commences). We are able to pick up luteal phase defects (which is vital if trying to achieve a pregnancy). Luteal insufficiency is when the luteal phase is 9 days or shorter in length
If you are ovulating, and if so, regularly? (through multiple charts to observe regularity)
If you are ovulating, where in your cycle this has likely occurred
Potential thyroid issue/disorder (determined by your basal body temperature)
You are able to determine whether you are pregnant before you take a pregnancy test
Whether or not you are producing fertile cervical mucus
Did you know that your fertility educator can:
Write letters to your GP to inform them that you are learning the STM method?
Run community education and in school education (for those that offer these additional services). We can even host education evenings for you and your friends!
Can refer you to fertility specialists, holistic health practitioners and nutritionists
Support you through the transition from contraceptive pill use/IUD/Depo/other contraceptive methods to being able to learn and use the STM method confidently
Interested in learning the STM for yourself? You will be learning these skills for life!
As your educator, I am accredited through NFNZ which ensures thorough training and clinical supervision as well as retaining membership through this organisation: https://www.naturalfertility.co.nz/find-an-educator/
Want to learn more about becoming an educator with NFNZ? Click here: https://www.naturalfertility.co.nz/become-a-fertility-educator/
Happy future charting!