The Moon and Your Cycle - Are They Connected?

Can the moon influence your menstrual cycle? It might sound a bit strange, but there have long been theories that a woman's menstrual cycle and the moon are synchronized, in line with the lunar cycle's 29.5-day cycle. That's why so many cultures associate the moon with fertility. In this article, we delve deeper and investigate whether there's a link between the female cycle and the moon.

Is our female cycle linked to the moon?

The influence of the moon on the female cycle is often dismissed as a myth, but it is not entirely unfounded.

Some studies show a link between the phases of the moon and your sleep and mood. We also know there's a link between our cycle and sleep (we wrote about it here ). So, it's interesting to wonder if your body synchronizes with the moon in this way.

In another study, published in Science Advances , researchers examined the menstrual cycles of 22 women. They found that some women were in sync with the moon phases during certain stages of their lives.

The study also showed that with age and exposure to artificial light in the evenings (hello, computer and phone), women's cycles shortened and no longer aligned with the moon.

The researchers hypothesize that humans based their reproduction on the different phases of the moon (like some other animals). Artificial light and our modern lifestyles may have changed this behavior.

However, the overlap between the female cycle and the moon's could be a coincidence in this case. The researchers didn't have much data. They only studied 22 women, who were followed for 32 years.

So we were left in the dark…

And this is precisely why the period tracking app Clue reexamined it. Their conclusion? The menstrual cycle is not synchronized with the lunar cycle. The study was based on 7.5 million cycles, so there's no arguing with that.

The lunar cycle and the average menstrual cycle are essentially the same length, so the two cycles will logically coincide at certain points for some women. Clue also noted that the words "menstruation" and "moon" come from Latin and Greek words meaning month (mensis) and moon (mene), so the association is understandable .

The Cultural Significance of the Full Moon and Your Cycle

Although science disagrees, many cultures do believe in a connection between our cycle and the moon. The Ojibwe Indians, for example, call their menstruation "moon time" (cute, huh?). And women seek refuge in their homes during their periods to rest and reflect. Perhaps we can learn something from this...

And in many Hindu and Buddhist traditions, there's a connection between the lunar cycle and menstruation. According to Ayurveda, blood is governed by Chandra, the moon. Women are believed to be healthier when their cycles synchronize with the moon.

According to the Vasishta Samhita, a medieval yoga text, women were considered naturally lunar, while men were considered solar. Therefore, it was believed that the lunar cycle influenced the different stages of menstruation.

Alicia Meek, founder of Wild Moon Sacred Cycles, practices Wicca, a modern Pagan religion. She leads women in ceremonies designed to "preserve and perpetuate ancient feminine practices while restoring cyclical consciousness to the Earth."

What exactly does this mean? She clearly believes your menstrual cycle is linked to the moon. While there's little scientific evidence for this, Meek is convinced that the four main lunar phases correspond perfectly with your menstrual cycle:

Menstrual phase = new moon
Follicular phase = waxing moon
Ovulation phase = full moon
Pre-menstrual phase = waning moon

In her book, Meek also discusses the different types of lunar cycles and their relationship to our menstrual cycle. She believes that menstruating at certain points in the lunar cycle can bring out certain characteristics . Here are a few examples:

White Moon Cycle

If you menstruate during the new moon and ovulate during the full moon, you have a white moon cycle. Some believe this type of cycle occurs when you're most fertile or ready to become a mother. It's also said to bring out a reflective quality—probably a good thing if you're trying to conceive!

Red Moon Cycle

If you menstruate during the full moon, you're experiencing a red moon cycle. If this is the case, it's an opportunity to embrace your passionate, outgoing, and sexual side. Let's go!

Pink moon cycle

If you menstruate during a waxing moon, you're in a pink moon cycle. This is associated with a time of transition.

The purple moon cycle

If you menstruate during the waning moon, you are in a purple moon cycle. This cycle is associated with healing.

Our opinion

We believe there's something truly magical about the idea that our bodies are in sync with nature. Despite numerous studies refuting a link, many cultures have found meaning in the connection between menstruation and the phases of the moon.

So is there a way to synchronize your menstrual cycle with the moon?

Not really. But if you use an app or old-fashioned pen and paper to track your cycle, you can see if there's a connection with the moon. If you'd like to experiment with an app, read our blog post about the best apps for tracking your period .

Track which moon phase your cycle corresponds to and then work with your natural flow to feel your best, every day of the month. For example, take time to rest and reflect during your menstrual phase, and use your ovulation phase to do a strenuous workout or check off your to-do list.

And if nothing else, it might just be a way to feel more connected to your body and the universe.