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Signs Your Liver is Affecting Your Menstrual Cycle Regularity—and What You Can Do About It

3 natural ways I support my liver to encourage hormonal balance

By Erin R. WilsonPublished about a year ago 10 min read
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Photo by Damir Mijailovic: https://www.pexels.com/photo/peeled-fresh-green-brussels-sprouts-5612342/

Regular and pain-free periods can be an important sign of good health for women, and when they don’t go as planned it can be easy to jump to the conclusion that something must be wrong in your body, or that you must be doing something wrong. This leads to increased stress, which further impacts hormonal balance. It’s a vicious cycle.

Maybe your doctor has brushed off your concerns, chalked them up to “normal,” or written them off as temporary as a result of a change in your lifestyle.

Your doctor may have also offered you the vague, blanket prescription of “diet and exercise,” or going back on hormonal contraception (despite that potentially being the cause of the irregularity in the first place).

If any of this has been your experience, I want you to know that I completely understand how you’re feeling because I’ve been there too!

My journey

After a few years of struggling with irregular menstrual cycles following the removal of my hormonal IUD, last year I was informed that I had “moderate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” (also known as NAFLD). This was confirmed by my doctor through elevated liver enzymes and a liver ultrasound.

In simple terms, it means a buildup of fat in the liver, which if not reversed, can cause permanent damage to the liver and further affect its functioning.

This came as quite a surprise to me, however my doctor informed me that fatty liver is becoming increasingly common due to our modern day diets and sedentary lifestyles.

While receiving this news majorly sucked, it also provided me with some relief knowing that something specific needed attention, and hope that with targeted efforts I could improve it.

The liver’s connection with the menstrual cycle

As the organ that processes and detoxes just about everything that goes into our bodies—whether it be through our mouths, nose or skin—the liver can be affected by the quality of topical products we use, the substances that we come into contact with, the contents of our food and water, and the air that we breathe.

Since the liver plays a starring role in the production and breakdown of hormones, if it’s not functioning as well as it should be it can certainly take a toll on a woman’s menstrual cycle.

All of this is not meant to scare you, but to express the importance of supporting the often over-burdened liver and to arm you with some helpful, easy and generally safe tips that you can start implementing right away.

Where I am now

With a little dedication and some targeted diet and lifestyle changes (including the ones in this article), in about eight months I managed to:

  • Reduce my formerly off-the-charts liver enzyme, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and inflammation marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), down to normal levels — suggesting an improvement in my liver health and the overall inflammation in my body.
  • Have menstrual cycles predominantly in the “normal” range (between 23 and 35 days, and between 2–7 days of bleeding at regular amounts).
  • Experience a huge reduction in PMS symptoms, including drastically reducing my luteal phase anxiety, dramatic mood swings and irritability, with far less pain, bloating, and cravings.
  • My skin has also been consistently clear, and my energy levels have been much more stable.

Yay! Now I want to share my top liver supporting tips with you.

But first, a little disclaimer:

I am a Certified Holistic Nutritionist specializing in women’s hormonal and menstrual cycle health. I am not a Doctor. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is based on a combination of what I have learned and what has worked for me personally. Information in this article is not meant for the purposes of diagnosing or treating any medical disease or condition. Please consult a trusted healthcare provider where necessary.

If you have been experiencing irregular or abnormal menstrual cycles for some time, have had severe PMS symptoms that have been disrupting regular life activities and relationships, or have been experiencing abdominal pain or other serious pains or discomforts, it’s best to work with a trusted medical professional to rule out any serious medical conditions.

Signs your liver may need support

  • You’re experiencing irregular menstrual cycles (missing/skipped periods, heavy bleeding, increased PMS symptoms, cycles consistently lasting less than 21 days or more than 35 days, and/or bleeding lasting less than 3 days or more than 7 days).
  • You lead a primarily sedentary lifestyle.
  • Your diet is high in refined carbohydrates, sugars, and fried foods, and is low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
  • You work or live in an industrial area or a big city, or your occupation involves the handling or inhalation of chemicals and other dangerous substances.
  • You’re struggling with skin issues such as acne and rashes.
  • You’ve experienced weight gain and/or an inability to lose weight, despite improvements in diet and exercise.
  • You also have diabetes, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and/or are very overweight, as these are known to be associated with NAFLD. Symptoms associated with NAFLD may include fatigue, a sharp or dull ache or pain in the upper right abdominal area, thirst, bloating, and sleep disturbances.¹ If you suspect that you may have NAFLD, or have a family history of liver conditions, speak to your doctor about having your liver checked.

3 natural ways to support the liver:

1. Assess the products in your home and work environment

You may have heard of the term “endocrine disruptor” before. The word endocrine is in reference to the body’s endocrine system, comprising of the hypothalamus, pineal gland, thyroid, thymus, adrenal gland, pancreas, and in the case of women, the ovaries.

These organs and glands are responsible for producing hormones and releasing them into the bloodstream. Endocrine disruptors are substances that can mimic the body’s natural hormones, disrupting the delicate balance in this body system. Common endocrine disrupting substances are also processed by the liver.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/items-of-hygiene-on-marble-surface-4202483/

Examples of common endocrine disruptors include²:

  • Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in many plastic products, such as food storage containers.
  • Dioxins: A byproduct of herbicide production and paper bleaching, and released into the environment through waste burning and wildfires.
  • Perchlorate: An industry byproduct found in drinking water and fireworks.
  • Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Found in firefighting foams, non-stick pans, paper, and textile coatings.
  • Phthalates: Used to increase the flexibility of plastics, and found in some food packaging, cosmetics, children’s toys, and medical devices.
  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): Used in the production of flame retardants for household products, such as furniture foam and carpets.
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB): Used to make electrical equipment such as transformers, and in hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants, and plasticizers.
  • Triclosan: May be found in some anti-microbial and personal care products, such as liquid body wash.

While it’s unreasonable to expect that you can swap or eliminate all endocrine-disrupting products in your home or workplace overnight, it’s something to consciously work towards over time. While some may never be completely avoidable, reducing your overall exposure to these products can make a big difference in your long-term health.

Actions you can start taking to reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors:

  • Use the resource ewg.org to search for products with the EWG VERIFIED™ stamp of approval.
  • Store food in glass, ceramic or stainless steel.
  • Cook in cast iron, ceramic or stainless steel.
  • Filter your tap water.
  • Buy reusable, non-plastic grocery and produce bags.
  • Buy plants for your home that help to clean the air.
  • Wash your hands often with a gentle soap.
  • Avoid products with “fragrance” or “parfum” listed in the ingredients.
  • Adopt EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” shopping strategy (see below).

Don’t stress! Start with one and then move on to the next.

Photo by Greta Hoffman : https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-buying-fruits-in-a-supermarket-9475666/

“Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen”

Buying organic produce can be overwhelming and pricey. Not to worry — EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ is an annually updated list of the top twelve produce items to buy organic, and the top fifteen to buy conventionally grown.

Dirty Dozen (buy organic if you can and if available):

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard & mustard greens
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Bell & hot peppers
  8. Cherries
  9. Peaches
  10. Pears
  11. Celery
  12. Tomatoes

Clean Fifteen (safer to buy conventionally grown):

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet peas (frozen)
  7. Asparagus
  8. Honeydew melon
  9. Kiwi
  10. Cabbage
  11. Mushrooms
  12. Cantaloupe
  13. Mango
  14. Watermelon
  15. Sweet potato

2. Incorporate liver supporting foods and herbs

While there’s no magic food or supplement that can restore or “heal” the liver all on its own (if there were, my money would be long gone!), incorporating more of certain natural foods and herbs—containing specific liver supporting nutrients—can give the superstar organ a helping hand.

Photo by Damir Mijailovic: https://www.pexels.com/photo/peeled-fresh-green-brussels-sprouts-5612342/

Foods:

  • Berries and citrus fruits.
  • Cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, watercress, radish, kohlrabi, arugula and collards).
  • Root vegetables.
  • Beans and legumes.
  • Green tea.
  • Nuts.
  • Fatty fish.
  • Olive oil.
  • Bone broth and collagen.

Herbs:

  • Turmeric.
  • Dandelion root.
  • Liquid chlorophyll.
  • Spirulina.
  • Organic milk thistle.
  • Magnesium (oral or topical)*.

3. Add castor oil packs to your weekly routine

Castor oil is a natural product derived from the bean of the Ricinus communis plant, native to India. It has been used as far back as 16th century BC for both medicinal and non-medicinal purposes, and both topically and orally. Its most common use is for the relief of constipation, however there is evidence to support that it may also help reduce pain and inflammation, support the immune system through an increase in white blood cells, and support the liver through the potential normalizing of liver enzymes.³

For the purposes of this article I will only be discussing one topical use of castor oil, known as castor oil packs.

Note: Without proper medical guidance, oral use of castor oil is not recommended. Avoid using castor oil packs during your period as it can increase bleeding, or during pregnancy.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/transparent-yellowish-liquid-on-white-surface-4465831/

Castor oil packs are a gentle and relaxing method of supporting the liver and the body’s organs in general, and can be done a few times per week up to every day of the week—again, except during your period or while pregnant.

What you’ll need:

  • An old towel and piece of flannel cloth (roughly the size of your abdomen) that you aren’t worried about staining with oil.
  • A heat pad or hot water bottle.
  • Quality, hexane-free castor oil.
  • 15–20 minutes.

Instructions:

  • Saturate your piece of flannel fabric with the castor oil.
  • Place the castor oil soaked cloth over the liver area, under your right ribcage.
  • Cover your cloth with the towel to prevent oil from staining your clothes.
  • Apply heat over the towel (make sure it’s not too hot!).
  • Rest this way for at least 10–15 minutes, or for as long as one hour.
  • Wipe the oil off your skin and wash the used flannel cloth and towel — you may want to use a warm face cloth with soapy water to remove the oil or proceed to have a shower with gentle soap.

I hope my top liver supporting tips will help you on your journey to restoring menstrual cycle regularity. Hang in there, things will get better.

Visit wellandfree.ca to learn more about me and my current offerings. Thanks for reading!

Sources:

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541033/

(2) https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm

(3) https://intjnm.com/evidence-for-the-topical-application-of-castor-oil/

Notes:

*Before supplementing orally with magnesium, double check with a trusted healthcare practitioner to ensure that it’s right for you. Magnesium in the glycinate form is easily absorbed and can produce calming effects. Oral magnesium, especially in the citrate form, can cause diarrhea. Be sure to follow instructions on product labels unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare practitioner.

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About the Creator

Erin R. Wilson

Certified Nutritionist & Reiki Practitioner | Also A Designer & Illustrator: erinracheldesigns.com

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