A New Way to Think About Your Period
I was recently listening to a podcast called The Marie Forleo Podcast, featuring Dr. Mindy Pelz—author of Fast Like a Girl and The Menopause Reset. She said something that really stuck with me: menstrual blood contains environmental toxins and plastics. That blew my mind. Then, a thought was leading to me, “then, it’s good to have a regular menstrual period to shed toxins and microplastics even though it’s really annoying.” Honestly, it reminded me of something my mom used to say when I was younger and miserable with cramps:
“It’s good for you—you’re getting the bad stuff out.”
At the time, it felt annoying. But now? It actually makes a lot of sense.
Let’s be honest—periods can be painful, irritating, messy, and just plain uncomfortable. We all feel that, right? As a gerontology nurse practitioner, most of my patients are in their 40s to 90s, and for the women who are still cycling, many are counting down to menopause (I am there for sure), thinking, “Finally, no more bleeding!” When I speak with postmenopausal women, they’re usually thrilled to be done with their periods—but many also admit they weren’t prepared for how intense the menopausal symptoms would be.
But after hearing Dr. Pelz explain why hormonal imbalances are so common today—and why hormonal health matters more than ever—I started to see things differently. Maybe our bodies are constantly working behind the scenes to protect and rebalance us. Maybe our menstrual cycles aren’t just a burden, but a way the body helps eliminate toxins and stay healthy. I had never thought of my period in a positive light—until now.
Now that I’m in my 30s, I’ve noticed more pronounced PMS symptoms than I had in my 20s—irritability, anxiety, breast tenderness, even random anger. I can literally feel when my period is coming based on my mood swings, and sometimes I’m like, “Seriously? Again?” But this time, I’m trying to change my mindset. “Okay—it’s not that bad. My body will let go of toxins. I’ll feel refreshed. It’s time to reset.” The last couple of days, I’ve been swollen, tired, moody, and achy—but I accepted it, knowing I might feel better after my cycle starts.
Research now shows:
Microplastics have been found in uterine tissue¹
They also show up in human follicular fluid²
Menstrual bleeding may help eliminate toxins like PFAS³
We live in a world full of hormone disruptors—stress, microplastics, environmental toxins—and our bodies are working overtime to stay balanced. A regular menstrual cycle is more than a fertility marker—it’s a sign of a healthy, functioning system trying to rebalance your health. It may be one of your body’s natural ways of releasing what it doesn’t need. That shift in perspective made me feel genuinely grateful for having a regular period. It reminded me that my body is working for me, not against me.
What’s your relationship with your period?
Have you ever thought of it as part of your body’s RESET system—not a burden?
At Re:health, we believe in reconnecting with your body, not fighting it. Hormone balance isn’t just about numbers—it’s about learning your body’s rhythm, respecting your cycle, and feeling supported at every stage of womanhood.
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