Many women experience irregular periods at some point in their lives. They may experience missed periods, unexpected ovulation, or very heavy or light bleeding. This can be worrisome, especially if there are plans to get pregnant.
If you are one of the many women who suffer from irregular periods and are looking for non-invasive and natural ways to regulate your cycle, seed cycling might be a treatment path that’s worth exploring. So, let's explore what seed cycling is, how it works, and whether it could be a viable solution for addressing issues like irregular menstrual cycles.
A normal menstrual cycle is a regular 21 to 35-day process, and its prime objective is to prepare a woman’s body for potential pregnancy. This process is regulated by hormones produced mainly by the ovaries and the pituitary gland. These hormones trigger the growth and development of egg-bearing follicles within the ovaries and the thickening of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. As the cycle progresses, this lining becomes rich in blood and nutrients, creating the right environment to receive a fertilised egg and support the development of the placenta, which nourishes the baby during pregnancy.
During ovulation, the dominant follicle releases the fully matured egg, and it travels to the fallopian tubes. If there is sexual intercourse during this period, a sperm may travel to the fallopian tubes and fertilise the egg. The fertilised egg then moves to the uterus to implant itself in the thickened endometrial lining. However, if fertilisation does not occur, then the lining is no longer needed and is shed from the body through the vagina. This is what is seen as the menstrual bleed, marking the first day of the next menstrual cycle.
The section above explains how a typical menstrual cycle is expected to work. However, not all cycles follow this predictable pattern. A lot of women have irregular periods nowadays. This means the flow, duration, or timing of their cycle keeps changing. So, they may experience missed cycles, abnormally light or heavy bleeding, abnormally lengthy or short cycles, or extreme pain, discomfort and cramping during the periods.
● An imbalance in reproductive hormones.
● Disorders like PCOD or PCOS, where hormone levels are not in balance. Delayed or missed periods can occur.
● Endometriosis, a disorder where the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, can lead to abnormally heavy bleeding and painful periods.
● Thyroid and pituitary gland issues that interfere with the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.
● Usage of medications like birth control pills, anticoagulants, etc.
● Stress or mental strain.
● Uterine fibroids could cause severe pain during periods or spotting between cycles.
● Sudden weight gain.
● Excessive exercise.
● Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, whereby the reproductive organs are impacted.
● Uterine or ovarian cancer
● Primary ovarian insufficiency, whereby the ovaries stop producing eggs.
Once irregular periods have been diagnosed (usually through ultrasound scans of the pelvic region, an endometrial biopsy, or a hysteroscopy), the next step is to find the most appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause.
Medications are often prescribed first. Hormonal birth control methods (like pills, IUDs, rings, or injections) could help regulate irregular cycles, especially for women who have been diagnosed with conditions like PCOS or uterine fibroids. Tranexamic acid may be prescribed for heavy bleeding. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen may be prescribed to ease cramps during menstruation.
Doctors may suggest surgical procedures like endometrial ablation (uterus lining removal), myomectomy (fibroid removal), or, in more serious cases, a hysterectomy, only when medications don’t work.
While the above conventional treatments can be quite effective, many women are also exploring alternative approaches, such as seed cycling, for irregular period treatment.
It is quite natural to wonder if hormone balance with seeds is a possible course of treatment for women suffering from irregular periods. Seed cycling is a naturopathic treatment technique that has been adopted as a non-invasive, alternative treatment for regulating the menstrual cycle. It involves consuming four seeds (sesame, flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds) at two distinct stages of your menstrual cycle - the follicular phase and the luteal phase.
Seed cycling uses four seeds: sesame, flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds. These seeds are known to be rich in nutrients.
● Flaxseeds and sesame seeds contain lignans, which may help balance estrogen levels, especially helpful for women with PCOS or hormonal imbalances.
● Flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds are rich in healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6, both of which support hormone production and regular ovulation.
● Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are high in zinc and vitamin E, the two nutrients that help regulate hormones and support reproductive health.
● Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds have fibre and antioxidants that may support natural detox and improve egg quality.
● Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds also have anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease menstrual cramps, bloating, and mood swings.
● Sunflower seeds and sesame seeds help maintain a balanced hormonal environment when eaten in the second half of your cycle.
Starting seed cycling is easy, and it doesn’t require any major changes to your routine. All it takes is adding a small amount of specific seeds to your daily diet, based on where you are in your menstrual cycle.
1. From Day 1 of your period to ovulation (around Day 14), which is called the follicular phase, eat about 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds and pumpkin seeds every day.
2. From ovulation to the start of your next period (roughly Day 15 to 28), the luteal phase, switch to 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground sunflower seeds and sesame seeds daily.
If your cycle isn’t exactly 28 days, that’s perfectly fine. You can still follow a simple two-week pattern for each seed mix. Over time, this routine may help bring more balance and regularity to your menstrual cycle.
Seed cycling offers umpteen advantages that extend beyond resolving irregular menstrual cycles. Let’s take a quick look at some of the best seed cycling benefits for women:
● Seed cycling may help regulate irregular periods by bringing about better hormone balance.
● It could ease symptoms of PCOS, such as missed periods, unwanted hair growth, and weight issues.
● Hot flashes may be reduced in menopausal women who try seed cycling.
● For women trying to get pregnant, seed cycling may boost fertility by improving libido and creating a healthy uterine environment.
● These seeds possess anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate cramps, bloating, and other period-related discomforts.
● Seed cycling may also improve mood, boost energy levels, and help get rid of skin issues.
● Egg quality may improve after adopting seed cycling.
It is true that few scientific studies support seed cycling as a proven treatment for irregular periods. In fact, its widespread popularity has been attributed to recent social media trends. However, this technique has risen above being a mere trend when many women have reported positive changes after trying it. Since it involves only the consumption of seeds, it is considered to be a safe and low-risk treatment option. Even so, consult your gynaecologist before adopting this technique, as issues like irregular periods may require additional treatment.
