Vagus Nerve and Menstruation

Vagus Nerve and Menstruation

Do you know that the vagus nerve and menstruation are in relationship?

This is why some women who have extremely painful menstrual cycles sometimes pass out from the pain. Our vagus nerve plays a major role with the our parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation states. A relaxation state often includes physiological responses of lower blood pressure and heart rate. 

A few things happen concurrently in the case of extreme menstrual cramps.

When we have pain, our brains release prostaglandins, a hormone that mediates pain and inflammation. Prostaglandins cause vasodilation, a widening of the blood vessels. When the blood vessels dilate, the blood pressure drops. Increased prostaglandin levels can also cause nausea and vomiting. 

The extreme pain can also overstimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, causing a decrease in our heart rate.

When we combine these two effects, and consider the possibility of decreased blood volume in the case of heavy menstruation, the blood flow to the brain is reduced and we faint.

Fainting, vomiting and a vasovagal response are on the more extreme end of difficult menstrual symptoms, and they are more common than we would think.

These symptoms live on a spectrum as well, with “gentler” symptoms looking like headaches, dizziness, low grade nausea, constipation, diarrhea, exhaustion and more.

How can we support vagus nerve regulation and an ease of our menstrual symptoms?

🪷 Maya Abdominal Massage: This is a practice descended from multiple Maya lineages, that I had the blessing of studying from Rosita Arvigo. It involves massage on the abdominal, lower back, sacrum and tailbone. I always teach my clients self care abdominal massage, to maintain continuity of care. 

🌱 Herbal medicine: Herbal medicine works with the whole being, so there is not a clear cut set of herbs to use for menstrual pain, though a few that are often fabulous allies, include ginger, crampbark, motherwort and mugwort. Do your research or consult with an herbalist to craft a personalized formula.

📿 Meditation: In all of the clients I have worked with over time who experience moderate to extreme menstrual pain, they have one definitive thing in common. Pelvic bowl tension. To heal the pelvis, we must learn to soften and relax and breath is the best pathway. 

💫 Following your rhythm: Our bodies were designed to rest more and do less vigorous work and exercise when we are pre-menstrual or at the beginning of menstruation. Unfortunately, our culture is not set up for that. Despite that reality, do your absolute best to take as much off your plate as possible during this sacred window. Listen to your womb. Rest. Replenish.

Yoni Steam Ebook♨️ Yoni Steam: This is one of my favorite practices. Yoni steaming is a direct pathway to relaxing the vagus nerve and finding softness in the pelvic bowl. Because I LOVE this so much and I have seen and experienced literal miracles with this practice, I have made a free guide to Yoni Steaming to share with you!

💝  Included in your guide: 

  • Roots of the practice
  • How and Why to steam
  • When to steam and when NOT to steam
  • Some of my favorite herbal steam blends
  • Creative ways to set up a steam with WHAT YOU HAVE AT HOME!

 

This guide is a labor of love and I offer it as a gift to you with great joy! I hope you find your way to steaming soon. May that support a happy relationship between your vagus nerve and menstruation and womb health in all the ways.

About Chaya Aronson

Chaya Leia Aronson, RN BSN is a bodyworker, health and sexuality coach, dancer, lover and mother. Chaya believes that we source our creative, life force expression through our pelvic bowls and if the energy is blocked here, it greatly affects our capacity to be our full authentic selves in the world. Her passion is to support pelvic and abdominal health and healing. The main forms of bodywork she practices are the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® and Holistic Pelvic Care™. Bellydance, contact improvisation and yoga have been the central core of her spiritual and physical practice for over 20 years. She weaves the knowledge she’s gained about movement patterns and body structure with her playful and intuitive spirit to support her clients in actively healing their own bodies and spirits.