Natural Gynecology, as a practice, has always existed. Since ancient times, women have sought to understand the changes in their bodies with each moon, finding elements in Nature that would help them maintain their physical, mental, and emotional balance.
So much so that women were the first doctors in all of the history. Through the observation of the stars, plants, animals, and seasons, they developed a unique knowledge and became able to communicate with Nature and learn from it, through the Language of Kalá.
But when the way of life became sedentary and the greed for greater geographical and political dominance took hold of humankind, this began to change.
The knowledge of Nature, of lunar and solar cycles, of planting and harvesting, of life and death, began to be seen as a threat to the economic and political power that was emerging in the first civilizations.
Then, women began to be silenced.
But feminine knowledge has endured thanks to grandmothers, prayer women, midwives, healers, herbalists, witches, herbalists, shamans, priestesses, and so many other faces of the sacred feminine who are now beginning to raise their voices once more.
It is from this history that Natural Gynecology emerges, a movement to reclaim the knowledge of the earth, the knowledge of the feminine, the knowledge of Nature.
What is Natural Gynecology in practice?
Natural Gynecology is a movement to reclaim ancestral knowledge for the promotion of women’s health through knowledge of one’s own body and the resources that Nature offers us.
In this sense, it is a path of self-knowledge and autonomy, in which we have the opportunity to rediscover who we really are, to respect our essence, and to seek health and well-being in what is simple, natural, and within our reach.
Based on the ancestral knowledge of various indigenous peoples, Natural Gynecology brings together knowledge about plants and their medicinal uses. Its application goes beyond physical well-being, also promoting mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
It also uses manual techniques, such as massages, and easily accessible tools so that each woman has more autonomy over her own body and health.
What does Natural Gynecology treat?
As the name suggests, Natural Gynecology focuses on women’s gynecological health, carrying out therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of imbalances such as:
- premenstrual syndrome;
- discharge;
- candidiasis;
- endometriosis;
- fibroids;
- polycystic ovary syndrome;
- HPV;
- mastitis;
- cervical cancer;
- among others.
Natural Gynecology can also help during transitional moments in a woman’s life, such as menarche and menopause.
In these cases, we monitor for possible signs and symptoms of imbalances, such as hot flashes, insomnia, heavy menstrual flow, cramps, vaginal dryness, etc.
When should you seek a Natural Gynecology therapist?
Natural Gynecology is an integrative approach that aims not only to treat, but mainly to prevent health imbalances. In this sense, you can seek a Natural Gynecology therapist at any time in your life.
However, it is extremely important that you seek specialized health services when you feel that something is not right with your body. For example, if you notice an abnormal, brown or greenish discharge, or abnormal bleeding outside of your menstrual period.
You can also seek a Natural Gynecology therapist when planning a pregnancy. In this way, you can assess your health condition and adjust small habits to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
You can also benefit from Natural Gynecology when you are approaching menopause, preparing for this new phase of your life.
What are the benefits of Natural Gynecology?
Because it is an integrative approach based on the knowledge of indigenous peoples from various locations, Natural Gynecology has as its central pillar the use of medicinal herbs and natural therapies.
In this sense, treatment protocols end up becoming more accessible to women of all social classes. In other words, Natural Gynecology is an effective and inexpensive way to prevent and treat numerous gynecological imbalances, bringing benefits such as:
More awareness of your body
From a very young age, we are taught not to talk about our bodies. We feel ashamed when our breasts grow, when the first pubic hairs appear, when our menstruation arrives…
We learn that menstruation is dirty, that it should be hidden, that it cannot be talked about. And so we disconnect from our bodies and our essence without even realizing it.
But Natural Gynecology has been deconstructing all these taboos, giving us back autonomy and awareness of our bodies through observation, touch, planting the moon, and rites of passage.
Thus, we begin to understand ourselves better, to recognize the signs of our ovulation, our fertile period, and, of course, our menstruation or its cessation.
More respect for our cyclical nature
One of the foundations of Natural Gynecology is being connected to our cyclical nature. And this has to do not only with our menstrual cycle (for those who menstruate), but also with the phases of the Moon.
The Moon directly influences our daily disposition, as well as our moments of extroversion and introspection.
The phase of the Moon in which we menstruate says something about us, and Natural Gynecology teaches us to be attentive to this.
And one of the greatest expressions of how important it is to value this type of knowledge is to understand what our most productive moments are and what are those in which we need more rest.
More autonomy over our bodies
Autonomy, simply put, is the ability to determine what is best for yourself. Although we usually think we practice autonomy daily, the truth is that this doesn’t always happen.
For example: let’s say you’re going out, you put on an outfit you love, you feel powerful, but then your partner comes along and says: wouldn’t it be better if you wore something else?
When you give up wearing the clothes you wanted because of another person, you are giving up your autonomy and placing the decisions about your own life in that person’s hands.
Now, reflect on how many times you have given up your autonomy, your intuition, what your body was telling you, to do what other people were telling you to do.
A classic case is taking birth control pills to “regulate the cycle” or to reduce acne when, in fact, we should investigate the real reason why these symptoms are appearing.
Want another example? How many times have you had sex with someone out of obligation, when you, who own your body, weren’t really in the mood?
Natural Gynecology gives us back this kind of perception and, above all, empowers us to say “no” every time something goes against what we are feeling.
Fewer symptoms before, during, and after menstruation
One of the best things I’ve learned from Natural Gynecology is that feeling pain IS NOT NORMAL. Therefore, menstrual cramps are a sign that something is wrong in your body.
The hormonal variation that occurs in our bodies during menstruation can cause minor mood swings, some fluid retention, but nothing that becomes harmful to our health and well-being.
In this sense, Natural Gynecology gives us tools to deal with each phase of the menstrual cycle and thus maintain the balance of our health.
The result is less PMS, less cramping, less bloating, fewer headaches, less of everything that is considered “normal” in a modern gynecological office.
Less shame talking about menstruation
If you talk openly about menstruation, the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and everything that it involves, congratulations. You have freed yourself from a chain of suffering.
But the truth is that, for most women, talking about menstruation is still taboo. According to a 2018 survey, 54% of women aged 14 to 24 had no information about menstruation when they first started menstruating.
The same survey showed that 39% of women borrow a sanitary pad as if it were a secret, and many still try to hide that they are menstruating.
As if that weren’t enough, 57% of Brazilian women feel “dirty” when they are menstruating. Many girls stop going to school during their menstrual period out of shame.
I was one of those girls too. And you?
More knowledge to make our decisions
Another fundamental benefit that Natural Gynecology brings is female empowerment.
As we learn more about our bodies, our cyclical nature, and our intimate health, we have more knowledge to make conscious decisions.
And as we delve deeper into this ancestral knowledge, we also develop more confidence to deal with possible imbalances naturally.
How to put Natural Gynecology into practice in your life?
If you’ve never tried an integrative method like Natural Gynecology, I invite you to make that move. You don’t need to quit your favorite gynecologist or stop taking birth control to do so.
Take small steps. Start by listing your common discomforts and seeking help from a Natural Gynecology therapist.
Menstrual cramps, back pain, bloating, feelings of inadequacy, heavy menstrual flow, vaginitis… These are just some of the situations in which Natural Gynecology can help you.
Many women with serious imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, cervical cancer, among others, also find tools and practices in Natural Gynecology to alleviate symptoms and restore balance and well-being.
If you are looking for simple and natural ways to better care for your body, mind, and emotions, Natural Gynecology can undoubtedly help you. Click here and schedule your appointment!
Thank you for getting this far and see you in the next article.
Eve.
