Reconnecting - my MCA journey so far

I can't pinpoint the time in my life when periods and menstruation became a topic of fascination for me. When I went through menarche, I viewed my bleeds as a source of annoyance or inconvenience, as a lot of young girls do. It wasn’t until I was around 15 years old that I became interested in feminine spirituality and inner work. I felt a deep connection to my ikura (period) and the marama/lunar cycle.

I didn't do any sort of formal tracking and my knowledge was still limited - but I spent a lot of time reframing how I thought about my period. I have fortunately never had particularly painful or difficult periods - so I was able to start viewing my bleeds as a blessing and something that connected me to my femininity and strength. For a while, my period was synced with the full moon and I had my own rituals I would do during that time. My period had changed from something I begrudgingly tolerated to something I looked forward to.

I started acne medication at around 16 and I was strongly advised to take hormonal birth control at the same time by my GP. The feelings of connection and excitement I had towards my period slowly fizzled away as I stopped having a natural cycle.

I spent the next few years bouncing between acne meds and being on and off hormonal birth control. I had started studying at University and unfortunately stopped keeping up with my interests related to my cycles. 

I have always been interested in holistic health practices and towards the end of 2023, came across menstrual cycle tracking online. I found the book ‘In the Flo’ by Alisa Vitti and it made me realise how I had been neglecting my cycle - and how fulfilling that connectedness I felt when I was younger was. I very randomly stumbled across a flyer for Red Lotus, got in contact with Natalie and started working alongside her. 

I learnt more about cycle tracking and the inner seasons, doing two of the Red School's online courses and learning more and more each day with Red Lotus. I had been stocking up on menstruality information for weeks but found it difficult to immerse myself in the work as I was on a hormonal IUD I had inserted about 12 months earlier. 

I was considering taking my IUD out and returning to a natural cycle. One morning in the shower, I had an unpleasant experience where I felt as though I could feel the IUD device pushing up against the walls of my uterus. I had never felt anything like it before - it was really invasive and foreign to my body. It was the most clear sign that I wanted to have it removed. 

I waited until the new year and had the removal appointment in the second week of 2024. I am now waiting for my first bleed which I plan to treat as a second menarche of sorts with my newfound menstrual knowledge - with a week of rituals and practices to celebrate. I am early into my MCA journey and often feel lucky that I came across menstruality this young. I am back to my natural rhythm, excitedly anticipating my next cycle, and ready to continue my journey of connection.