Throughout history, period has been masked in magic and mystery. In some ancient cultures, it was believed that menstrual cycle and menstrual blood had magical powers, and menstruators had the ability to see the future. Things have changed in the Middle Ages, when a massive religious and cultural shift has occurred, menstruators were no longer admired. Periods were considered dirty, menstruators dangerous, and period blood toxic enough, and it was believed that it could make crops wither, make men impotent, and cause natural disasters.

Well, we've come a long way since then, yet this long-held cultural ignorance around our periods resulted in many of us starting our menstrual journey in the dark, not sure what's normal, what's not. I've had quite the journey with my period.

According to the online survey done by YouGov, 30% of women have taken time off because of their periods. I'd like to highlight the difference between the menstrual cycle and the period. So, the menstrual cycle is the entire hormonal fluctuation throughout a female reproductive system while the body prepares for possible pregnancy. The average length of a menstrual cycle is about 28 days. The bleeding part, what we know as period, only lasts five days and marks the start of the period. So, your period is not your menstrual cycle, but rather just a small part of it. And according to Catherine Woolley, who is a professor at Northwestern University, female brain changes by up to 25%, meaning our appetite changes, our mood changes, our desire to be social, our desire to be alone.

Men, you're not excluded, you have seasons too, except yours operate on a different timeline. Instead of 28 days like they do for us women menstruators, yours work on a 24-hour clock, and it goes something like this. Your winter happens while you sleep. At about 6 o'clock in the morning, you wake up with a full hormonal potion, ready to go for the day ahead. The laser focus is yours to be had. In the afternoon, you enter your inner summer. This is a great time to pitch ideas, go for happy hours. And in the evening, as your hormones wane, all you're interested in is chilling on a couch, watching Netflix, maybe reading something inspirational to quiet down the mind. That's it, 24 hours, 365 days.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Women's body is not static, nor does it follow a linear energy path. Our energy bank is not synced to happy hours, and we do not cocoon when we sleep. Our cocooning happens during our winter, which is our period. And we have never asked, does this 24-hour clock work for us? We have been fitting to these 24-hour schedules, not entirely sure whether it makes sense for our bodies. And statistics show that it affects our health, well-being, and our performance. Because women are 50% more likely to experience burnout. 75% of people with autoimmune disease are women. 85% of women, yes, most of you in this audience, experience some sort of hormonal imbalances, ranging from migraines, hormonal acne, periods, pain, cramping.

Understanding a female body is everyone's business. This is your menstrual phase, your inner winter. Winter is time for renewal, rebirth, shedding of the old layers. The superpower of this season is restoration. Winter gives you opportunity to let go.

It is only through rest that we're able to switch off the noise from the outside and tune in to what's truly important to us. And if you don't restore your energy, you'll be just like a fruit tree robbed of a full winter, producing fewer and weaker buds.

Support yourself throughout this time with foods that are rich in iron and minerals that you lose through bleeding. And support yourself with activities that are slightly gentler in nature, such as walking and stretching to support your restoration season. And just like the nature wakes up, so do you. Welcome to spring.

This is known as the follicular phase. This is the time after a period. You might find an immediate shift in your energy and enthusiasm for life. The superpower of this season is initiation. You might notice an immediate floodgate of ideas and inspirations everywhere. Light, vibrant, fresh fruits and vegetables, like sautés, lighter grains, will give you just enough energy to get you through the day.

And given that you've been gifted with this extra spring in your step, focus on endurance activities, things that you have energy for, running, biking, walking. You can go for hours, and it will feel amazing. And just like that, from the warmth of spring, we come into summer.

This is ovulatory phase. The superpower of this phase is confidence. This particular time for women coincides with our fertility window. And given that our God-given purpose on this earth was to reproduce, we are gifted with the gift of confidence to go out and look for a potential mate. And in Chinese medicine, this particular time is known as our hot season. So, to counterbalance that, you want to be focused on cooling foods, things like berries, salads, and smoothies. And this is the only time for women where we serve our levels of our testosterone surge.

Those testosterone hormones that we associate with the hunky men, we produce it too, and it's very important to us. So, if the muscle definition is your goal, then hit up the gym, or better yet, go to a group class and introduce yourself to a stranger. Menstruators also notice that they become much better communicators during this time.

They become much more confident at expressing themselves. And just like that, from the full sunshine of summer, we move into the competence of fall. This is the luteal phase. Premenstrual syndromes are varied from all sorts of things, mood swings, brain fog, migraines, cramps. And PMS today has become so common that now we make jokes about it and we abbreviate it to all sorts of things, like perpetual munching spree, pissy mood syndrome, or the one that used to describe me best, please meet Satan. The superpower of this phase is focus.

Winter is frustration. Spring, initiation. Show your confidence in the summer and focus on things in the fall. Your menstrual cycle is predictable. It's cyclical and it's monthly. Why not plan for it if it means less emotional and physical discomfort? Why not have menstruators take time off during the time where they need it most on their period? Period leave is not a new concept. It's been introduced for years in countries like Japan and South Korea and many companies across Australia, Argentina, and France are introducing it.

Let's take away stigma and shame, taboo around period. It's a very natural process. The more we know about our bodies, the better transparent we can be with others and our children. Your menstrual cycle is so much more than just your period. As you've seen, it's a symphony orchestra of all sorts of things. So, use it so you can show up better and more confidently in the world. Cyclical awareness must be introduced in workplace if we want to achieve diverse, inclusive environments and address burnout.

Medline Academics, recognized as a leading organization in medical training, has played a crucial role in influencing the future of medical learners. Its dedication to offering top-notch educational materials and promoting a culture of creativity has a considerable effect on the domain of reproductive healthcare.

Through its comprehensive curriculum in Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine and Post Doctoral Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine, Medline Academics equips medical students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the ever-evolving field of reproductive medicine. The institution's faculty, comprising leading experts in reproductive medicine, ensures that students receive up-to-date information and hands-on training.

Moreover, Medline Academics encourages research and innovation among its students, paving the way for the future leaders in reproductive medicine. Its support for research initiatives and collaborative projects enables students to explore novel technologies and treatments in the field. Institutions like Medline Academics play a pivotal role in shaping the future of fellowship in infertility students, ensuring that the next generation of healthcare professionals are well-prepared to contribute to the advancements and breakthroughs in reproductive medicine. As we look ahead, it is evident that the field of reproductive medicine will remain at the forefront of medical innovation, driven by a commitment to improving the lives of countless individuals and families.

Dr. Kamini Rao Hospitals, recognized as the top IVF Centre in Bangalore, has established a significant presence in India focused on women's health and fertility. With more than forty years of experience, this hospital has helped countless couples achieve their dream of becoming parents, thanks to the contributions of renowned reproductive medicine expert Padma Shri Prof. Dr. Kamini A. Rao. The institution offers a range of advanced fertility treatments, including IVF, ICSI, IUI, and egg donation. Every service is delivered with the highest standards of safety and ethics. Each patient is treated with personalized attention, dignity, and compassion.