Bloating, Short Cycles, and Supplements—Oh My!

The human body is an amazing machine—especially a woman’s body. We can grow tiny humans! That’s impressive. I like being a woman. I never wanted to be a boy or felt out of place in my body. But I haven’t always appreciated it. I fed it junk, drowned it in alcohol, and ignored its needs for years.

And now, just as I’ve started treating it better, my body has begun its march toward menopause. Funny how that works—spend decades taking your health for granted, and the moment you start caring, your body goes haywire. My current lament? Shortened cycle lengths. I just endured a long, drawn-out period two weeks ago, and here we go again. The PMS isn’t as bad this time (small victories), but the bloating is relentless. No amount of water or core workouts can save me from becoming Bloat City.

So, I’m giving magnesium a try. I know the supplement industry is a mixed bag, but I chose a brand I already trust—I take their Ginkgo Biloba. My cousin, a nurse also going through perimenopause, recommended it, as did my massage therapist. They’re not doctors, but they are women in the trenches with me, and their job is to know a thing or two about the body. Worth a shot, right? It arrives Thursday. I’ll track my progress and report back on whether it helps with bloating (and apparently, sleep—though melatonin usually has me covered there).

I take several supplements, which I’ve covered before, and I’ll share more in future posts. But let’s be clear: supplements are a boost to healthy habits, not a replacement for them. There’s no magic pill for good health—just time, dedication, and consistency.

Cheers to being Green, Wild, and Free—hopefully, free from some of perimenopause’s more annoying side effects!