Moms hold a unique responsibility to guide and support their daughters through the journey of womanhood. From the physical changes of puberty to the emotional complexities of adulthood, there’s so much wisdom to impart. One essential topic that often gets overlooked in mother-daughter conversations is female hormones. For sure, my Mom never spoke to me or my sisters about female hormones. Our first conversation about my menstrual cycle was limited to how to use feminine hygiene products, to make sure I don’t fall pregnant until I had completed my studies, and was old enough and responsible enough to raise a child, preferably in a committed relationship. But the conversation needs to be so much more than that. Let’s delve into what every mother should tell her daughter about these powerful chemical messengers and their impact on women’s health and well-being.
1. Hormones Are Natural and Normal
Firstly, it’s crucial to normalise the conversation around hormones. Hormonal fluctuations are a natural part of a woman’s life cycle, from puberty to menopause and beyond. Our menstrual cycle is as important as our heart beat and blood pressure. Hormones regulate everything from our menstrual cycles to our moods, metabolism, and reproductive health. By demystifying hormones and reframing them as natural and normal, we empower our daughters to embrace their bodies and understand the changes they experience. It also empowers them to understand the connection between hormones and the brain, which can often go a long way to managing body identity issues.
2. Your Menstrual Cycle is a Vital Sign
Menstruation often comes with stigma and shame, but it’s essential to reframe it as a vital sign of reproductive health. Teach your daughter to view her menstrual cycle as a barometer of her overall well-being. Tracking her symptoms is probably more important than tracking just her cycle. It can provide valuable insights into her fertility, hormonal balance, and potential health issues. It’s not about when she bleeds, but how does she feel throughout the month leading up to her period, and after her period. Encourage open communication about periods and its symptoms, and offer support and guidance as she navigates this aspect of her womanhood.
3. Hormones Influence More Than Just Your Menstrual Cycle
While the menstrual cycle is perhaps the most visible manifestation of hormonal activity, it’s essential to emphasize that hormones impact every aspect of our lives. From our energy levels to our libido, mood, and cognitive function, hormones play a role in shaping our day-to-day experiences. Help your daughter understand how hormones can fluctuate throughout her cycle and how they may affect her physical and emotional well-being.
4. Self-Care Matters
Given the profound influence of hormones on our health and happiness, it’s crucial to prioritize good nutrition habits and self-care practices that support hormonal balance. Encourage your daughter to prioritize healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and adequate sleep. These lifestyle factors can help regulate hormones, alleviate symptoms like PMS and menopausal discomfort, and promote overall well-being.
5. Advocate for Your Health
Finally, empower your daughter to advocate for her health and well-being. Teach her to listen to her body, recognize signs of hormonal imbalance or reproductive health issues, and seek medical care when needed. Encourage her to ask questions, express concerns, and be proactive about her health care decisions. By instilling confidence and agency in her approach to health, you equip her with the tools she needs to navigate womanhood with resilience and self-assurance.
As mothers, we have the privilege and responsibility to guide our daughters through the intricacies of female hormones and empower them to embrace their bodies with confidence and compassion. By fostering open, honest, and supportive conversations about hormones, we lay the foundation for our daughters to navigate womanhood with grace, resilience, and self-awareness.
