Why Female Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues are on the Rise
A spiritual approach to these health concerns and why womb healing is needed
Can you feel it? Something has been shifting with women. The past few years have been a time of change (in more ways than one). Many astrologers, channelers and spiritual guides have been talking about it. A common theme of these changes has included the re-awakening and reclamation of the feminine. Centuries of oppression, violence and gaslighting are being talked about everywhere and the effects are being seen in the media, music, and movies we consume. The growing pains as all people around the world come to terms with this voice are being felt in many ways.
One of the ways the historical abuse, misrepresentation and oppression of the feminine is coming out is in the increase of reproductive and sexual health issues. Studies are being done all over the world to understand the causes and statistics of the increase in conditions like PCOS, Endometriosis, Fibroids and other similar diseases that affect the reproductive system.
PAINFUL PERIODS ARE NOT NORMAL
Firstly, the main point to take away from this post is that painful periods are not “normal”. They are a sign of imbalances whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Many of us have been taught and conditioned to believe that it is normal to have period pain, heavy bleeding and PMS symptoms related to our menstruation. This is false. We have also been taught and conditioned that the emotional ups and downs we experience during our menstruation are a curse, an inconvenience, and a joke.
On top of that, reproductive and menstrual health do not have one function or measure of health. An imbalanced or disordered system is not only an issue for fertility (often the main reason people seek help), but they are in fact indicators of the health of your entire system.
HORMONAL + PHYSICAL + PSYCHOLOGICAL + ENERGETIC + SPIRITUAL
Painful periods are often dismissed by medical practitioners, friends, partners, work and family. And though many people dred the impact the pain and discomfort has on their lives every month, it can seem like there are no good soltuions to the problem. Keep reading for my take on that!
LET’S TALK ABOUT STATS
I am not going to explain these conditions in this post. For resources and explanations on them, as well as more stats and research, read my post on Medium here.
Estimations on the number of women that have Endometriosis range anywhere between 6 million in the U.S. and about 1 million in Canada. This is a multi-faceted issue that I discuss more below but a major contributor to this are the stereotypes and misperceptions of what a normal female menstruation cycle is, as well as women’s health concerns being dismissed by practitioners.
Studies in China have shown that around 24 million women have PCOS which was an increase of 65% from 10 years ago! In Canada it is estimated that 1.4 million have PCOS, and in the U.S. it is around 5 million. PCOS is one of the most prevalent health issues affecting women worldwide and it is linked to infertility, menstrual problems, and significant mental health deterioration. Endometriosis has similar effects on mental health, increasing anxiety, depression, and stress.
Often, there is some combination of factors contributing to issues with sexual and reproductive systems. Over time our systems become overloaded and overstressed, and this is when the symptoms start to get our attention, though the issues have been underlying for a long time.
What do I mean by sexual and reproductive system issues? I mean the following:
Irregular menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding or on the other side, scant or missing periods
Increased PMS symptoms
Recurrent yeast infections, UTI’s and odor
Unexplainable pain in your womb space, abdomen, and pelvic area
Infertility
Lowered sex drive and discomfort during sex
Conditions such as PCOS, Endometriosis, Fibroids and generalized pain in the womb space, abdomen, pelvic area and low back
Psychospiritual issues may include:
Extra fatigue, impatience, or detachment within your relationships
Feelings of low self-worth and self-doubt
Co-dependence on relationships/ other people
Unexplained pain whether during self-pleasuring or sex with another person
Blocked creativity, life inspiration, pleasure and energy or a feeling of detachment from your own joy and pleasure
When considering these health issues, it is important to recognize how emotions are stored in the body.
The concept that emotions and experiences are stored in the body is not new. For example. In many yogic practices, the hips are often considered a place where stored emotions are held, and hip releases can bring on emotional releases like deep sadness or anger. Hip openers are located within the Sacral Chakra and pelvic system (discussed more below). While psychosomatic symptoms and illnesses are disputed in the medical world, the spiritual world has been developing an understanding of them for centuries. This is part of where the Chakra systems and Meridian lines of many Eastern beliefs have come from. The recognition that we are not only physical beings, but energetic and spiritual ones is the foundation of holistic health.
“Think back about your life and how many times you suppressed the words “I feel” when hurting from an experience or relationship? How many times have you stuffed down your emotions and stifled the expression of them? The forced silencing of the expression of our emotions has many detrimental affects on our health. ”
The Base - Sacral – Solar Plexus Chakra Connection
While the pelvic system and sexual organs are under the influence specifically of the 2nd chakra, the Sacral Chakra, it is important to notice the interconnection between the first three chakras. The womb space encompasses the Base Chakra, Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakra’s, with a link to the Heart chakra as well. Breast and heart health are directly connected to womb health!
For the sake of time though, let’s focus on the first three.
The Base Chakra is associated with tribal connections and family identity. What disrupts this chakra is fear of abandonment and struggles with basic survival needs.
The second chakra, the Sacral, is associated with sexual health and our relationships. Common reasons this chakra becomes blocked or depleted are fears of being controlled by others and loss of power over oneself. Dominating events like sexual assault, abuse and addictions sit in this chakra.
Finally, the Solar Plexus, the third chakra, is related to our personal power and self-worth where criticism and fears about our physical appearance and our perceived value deplete it.
Can you see where the historical oppressions women have faced are touched on in each of these locations? Nearly every woman, no matter where she was born can pinpoint experiences where her appearance was criticized, pressured and controlled in some way, where she has been controlled whether by force or manipulation, where her basic survival was threatened AND where she saw her mother, sisters, aunts, and friends experiencing the same or worse.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, issues with the menstrual cycle and the reproductive system were seen as caused by the repression women experienced regarding their sexual expression, due to societal pressures and expectations. Statements like “I feel” (associated with the Sacral Chakra) have a deep influence on well-being. Think back about your life and how many times you suppressed the words I feel when hurting from an experience or relationship? How many times have you stuffed down your emotions and stifled the expression of them? The forced silencing of the expression of our emotions has many detrimental affects on our health.
Holistic and spiritual beliefs on well-being and health take into account not only our personal experiences from childhood to current age, but also the experiences of our mothers, grandmothers and ancestors, as well as the collective experience of those around us. Even if you do not want to consider the ancestral and lineage impacts on your health (specifically the ways women have been oppressed for centuries), most can pinpoint moments in their own life where they experienced oppression in some ways.
“The way you were treated as a young child, learning about the world and how it was safe (or not safe) to express yourself, the way you were touched or not touched, the way you received love or did not receive it, the relationships you developed (both romantically and not), all left imprints on your identity and your body. How those imprints have affected the sexual and reproductive health of women is where I aim to inform. ”
Other Considerations
HISTORY/CHILDHOOD/LEARNED BELIEFS AND SOCIETY: Each of these could have entire posts written on them, I have mentioned some brief indicators above. The pressures of these factors cannot be expressed enough.
HEALTH: insulin resistance, increased obesity/ SAD diet, heavy diet of animal based processed meats and stress/mental health challenges. These affect hormones and the development of diseases. Many scientists and researchers have also identified how generational health carries over. This is why when you see a doctor, they ask about your family’s history of diseases and conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS: Endocrine disruptors and toxins in food, water, air and in personal care products and packaging. This is a big topic, but here are the basics. If you want to clean up your personal care products and lifestyle, check this out here.
WHERE WOMB HEALING COMES IN
Womb Healing takes into consideration the multi-faceted contributors to sexual and reproductive health issues. The medical aspects recommended by your doctor, combined with womb healing and energy techniques address the issues from a holistic approach. A holistic approach is important, as you can take a treatment for the physical symptoms but if you make no changes to the emotional or spiritual reasons for the disease it will likely not get better or will resurface somewhere else in your body, life, and relationships.
Womb healing:
addresses the storing of emotions and memories in our womb spaces and bodies
it teaches awareness of where and how this is happening and how to clear and remove these from the body so that they do not build up and contribute to heath issues
it also works on the need to clear energy of past lovers from this space, whether these experiences were considered positive or not. Though those that were harmful or involved trauma or a deterioration of self and self-esteem especially need to be cleared from the body
womb healing and shamanic medicine or energy work help address these pieces while also helping to build up inner wisdom, self-worth, and intelligent awareness
it teaches how to access your power, body sovereignty and voice, often leading to enhanced relationships and boundaries, creativity and connection
When reading all of this (and more if you decide to do your own research), it can feel extremely overwhelming. But there is support! There are programs and modern medicine women all over the world rediscovering and sharing wisdom about how to balance well-being in relation to our bodies, the world around us and our Spirits. The re-awakening and reclamation of the feminine provides an opportunity to remember your own inner wisdom and power and find your strength’s in a chaotic world.
Other Techniques that help heal the womb and chakras
Encompassing physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of healing that I have found helpful include:
A yoni steaming plan, if you are not familiar with yoni steaming, read here
Somatic, ecstatic, or intuitive dance. Put on music that makes you feel and dance the way your body wants and calls you to do. Moving this way helps shed stored emotions and encourages body awareness!
Get educated on your menstrual cycle! Learn what moon you tend to menstruate with, track your symptoms, and switch to period underwear or menstrual cups. Owning your cycle builds body sovereignty and power!
Listen to my podcast chat about how to build body sovereignty and hear your own wisdom on what you need to heal.
If you are interested in working with me, reach out here! Not quite ready to work together but want to learn more about womb healing, and balancing menstruation from a holistic perspective? My Menstrual Empowerment Course is packed with accessible ways to awaken and enliven your womb, chakra’s, inner wisdom, and health!