A hormonal guide: seed cycling for menopause. Do seed cycling and menopause go together? The answer is yes, seed cycling can help alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause.
What is seed cycling?
Seed cycling is a practice that has been used for hundreds of years to relieve certain conditions associated with hormonal imbalances. Whether you are coming off the contraceptive pill, trying for a baby or going through menopause, seed cycling can guide you gently through these periods in your life.
Hormones go through a number of changes as we age, and menopause is one of them.
The process involves consuming 4 key seeds; flaxseeds, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds to support your body’s hormones and bring them into balance.
What is the role of seed cycling in easing menopause symptoms?
Currently, there is a lot of room for further study into the specific health benefits of seed cycling. There's a wealth of research showing the advantages of specific seeds for hormone balance.
During and following menopause, particular seeds have been found to improve symptoms and hormone status.
Flax seeds found in
The Seed Cycle Phase 1 have been linked to modest estrogen increases, enhanced hormone metabolism, fewer hot flashes, lower vaginal dryness, and better overall quality of life in menopausal and postmenopausal women.
According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, women who ate a diet high in flax seeds and nuts had decreased joint pain, better hormone status, and reduced hot flashes after menopause. (1)
Sesame seeds, found in
The Seed Cycle Phase 2 are an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. Menopausal women may benefit from sesame seeds in several ways, including increasing hormone status and antioxidant and blood fat levels.
All four seeds are high in fibre, manganese, magnesium, copper, thiamine, vitamin E, and good fats. These elements are essential to a healthy diet.
Seed Cycling for Menopause - Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use seed cycling for peri-menopause if I am still menstruating?
Seed cycling can be used by anyone who is experiencing irregular periods, heavy flows, substantial PMS, and even women peri-menopause and menopause.
You can utilise the 'seed rotation' approach if you have a 28-30 day menstrual cycle. The first day of your period is Day 1.
Phase 1 (Follicular phase) Day 1 to Day 15 of your menstrual cycle.
In order to build up our endometrium (uterus lining), we need more estrogen. I scoop of flaxseed and pumpkin seeds during Phase 1 can help us develop higher estrogen levels naturally.
Phase 2 (Luteal phase) Day 15 to Day 30 of your menstrual cycle.
The second part of the cycle known as the luteal phase, the corpus luteum begins to release progesterone. This hormone will help thicken the uterus lining and prepare it for implantation.
Adding 1 scoop of sesame and sunflower seeds per day throughout the luteal phase allows us to naturally assist the body in producing greater progesterone, a sex hormone for which many women have low levels.
How does it work if I do not menstruate and am menopausal?
If you don't have a menstrual or your cycle is irregular seed cycling can assist.
You can begin seed cycling at any time and follow the moon phases (new moon and full moon) for two weeks of each seed rotation.
What our customers say about seed cycling for menopause
"Coming across the “seed cycle” has been a blessing."
"Going through perimenopause myself and finding the challenges in that, as well as having teenage daughters with painful periods and acne, I was searching for a natural way of helping our bodies to regulate better.
This product has made the process effortless and we are excited to see first results (my period seems to start to regulate, my daughters feel that change is in the air also)- so watch this space for more detailed reviews." Anne – September 17, 2021
"Coming to the end of my menopause journey I wish I had known about seed cycling at the beginning. It took about 3 months to notice changes. Now 6 months in and there has been a noticeable improvement with hormonal migraines, energy levels and my sleep.
It’s worth sticking with the practice which I found easy once I got into a routine of adding it to my morning oats, yoghurt and smoothies." Mira – August 15, 2021
Resources
1. Phipps, W.R., Martini, M.C., Lampe, J.W., Slavin, J.L., Kurzer, M.S. (1993). Effect of flax seed ingestion on the menstrual cycle. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 77(5):1215 – 1219
2. https://drbrighten.com/seed-cycling-menopausal-hormones/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16614415/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27462550/
Mel Kovacevic
Founder and visionary behind The Seed Cycle. Melissa is a Functional Nutrition Consultant and a Certified Clinical EFT Practitioner.
Since starting her EFT and functional nutrition clinic, Mel has helped hundreds of clients release limiting beliefs and mental blocks and find optimal health and happiness.
