703. The Ugly Truth Behind Painful Periods


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Feb 17 2025 16 mins   1

Why do periods sometimes feel like someone is stabbing you with a hot poker? (Not dramatic at all, right?) You’re doubled over, your lower back is in knots, you feel nauseous, you’ve got a headache brewing—it’s like your body throws a full-on tantrum once a month.

So, why is this happening? And more importantly, how do we make it stop?

First, know this: pain = inflammation. When your period starts, your hormone levels drop suddenly. This is supposed to happen, but if your body isn’t flushing out excess estrogen properly (ahem, hello estrogen dominance), it can cause major inflammation. And guess what? Your period is also a detox process. So if your liver and gut (the MVPs of detoxing) aren’t working efficiently, your system gets backed up—kind of like a clogged drain. And what happens when a drain gets clogged? Everything overflows and makes a mess. That’s your period pain.

Oh, and here’s a fun fact: Your uterus doubles in size before your period. Yep, you read that right. It’s pushing up against your bladder, intestines, and all that soft tissue. If there’s any scar tissue or fibroids in the mix, that pressure gets even worse. No wonder it feels like your whole lower half is waging war against you!

So, what can you do?

You don’t have to suffer through this every month! Here’s where we start:

Reduce inflammation every day – This isn’t just a period-week problem. Cutting back on alcohol, processed foods, and endocrine disruptors (aka hormone messers) helps lower inflammation all month long.

🔥 Support your detox pathways – Your liver and gut need some love. Start with nutrient-dense foods, hydration, and a DUTCH hormone test to see exactly where you need support.

💡 Use targeted relief tools – Heating pads, red light therapy, dry brushing, and lymphatic drainage are game-changers for pain relief and inflammation control.

🌿 Cycle support – Seed cycling, hormone-balancing tinctures, and proper mineral intake can make a HUGE difference in regulating your hormones naturally.

And listen, I know this can feel overwhelming. Like, where do you even start?! That’s exactly why I created my 12 Week Hormone Solution program—to guide you through these changes step by step so you’re not stuck Googling “how to survive my period” every month.

If your periods are getting worse, now is the time to take action. Registration is open for a limited time and I won't be offering this again until October.

Click here to join us:

Regular: https://drbethwestie.com/12-week-female-hormone-solution/

Menopause: https://drbethwestie.com/12-week-menopause-solution/

Unsure? Link for a free call: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call