Ah, lady parts.
For many women, the fear of her reproductive organs runs deep (pun intended).
Lady parts can feel like dark alleyways, too arduous and mysterious to explore.
In my many years of supporting women, one thing I've noticed is that women have been brought up to be fearful and self-sabotaging of their bodies.
Pain in the pelvis and abdomen is silenced with Tylenol. Hormones are put on autopilot with birth control. Menstrual flow is blocked with tampons, and breasts are buried into bras that cut off circulation.
I remember just how much I struggled with this myself.
It's taken me years of personal transformation and growth —in all aspects of my life — for me to know that my reproductive organs are part of an important conversation in my body.
I also know that neurologically and hormonally, our reproductive organs are responding to our mental and emotional states.
Mind-body medicine —developed from Jungian psychology — in which emotions are held in the physical body, is something I've grown super fascinated by.
I'm so intrigued by the idea that unconscious traumas can manifest in physical symptoms.
If you're struggling with any reproductive imbalances or if you're equally intrigued by the mind-body connection — this one's for you.
The Mind-Body Connection
According to somatic therapy, emotions are powerful neuropeptides that can be stored in areas of the body like the breasts, ovaries, uterus and vagina.
As women, our reproductive organs are such a powerful part of our existence and if we're not paying attention, our emotions can be silently repressed in these areas.
We all face times in our lives when things can feel so intensely difficult. The worst thing we can do is to "freeze" and suppress the pain — which makes me to think of an analogy that I want to share with you.
Have you ever seen a bird fly into a window?
Typically, the bird will freeze, shake itself off, and then fly away.
The "shaking off" is synonymous with our need to deeply feel our emotions so they can be released from the body.
We may need to cry, weep, scream —often over and over —until we feel completely "shaken off", and this process can take weeks, months, or even years.
The toughest part?
Being honest with ourselves about the feels we need to feel.
"Freezing" and attempting to fly off is the worst thing we can do — which is what we’re often taught to do in our society.
Let's take a look at some of the common emotions associated with our lady parts.
Breasts
Emotional issues related to the "nest" — the home and family. Not feeling nurtured or not having the opportunity to nurture.
Ovaries
Unfulfilled creative expression and an inner conflict with finding an authentic path. Feeling creatively thwarted or unable to express creative desires.
Uterus
Anger at the self or at others. Personal struggles with womanhood or femininity.
Vagina
Feeling sexually abused or exploited. Feelings of guilt, shame or repressed sexuality.
Do any of these resonate with you? Do you have any physical symptoms or imbalances that coincide with these emotional disturbances?
Most importantly, what are the feels that you need to be feeling, lady?
Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
If you have a girlfriend who needs to read this post, be sure to share the love by sharing this post.
Much love and lady flow care,
Elaine Clark, nutritionist, trauma informed educator, women's health pioneer, and founder of LADYFLOW. Elaine works with health conscious women to feel at home in their body and awaken to their creative potential. She offers a variety of tools to support women with her classes, trainings, retreats, and wellness products.
