20d • General discussion
Women's Cycles and Light Pollution
HOW WOMEN GOT OUT OF SYNC
For centuries, folklore and culture have linked the 29.5-day lunar cycle to the average female menstrual cycle. New research suggests this wasn't just folklore—it was a biological reality.
This connection, however, has recently been broken. A 2025 study reveals that modern life, particularly our light environment, has "desynchronized" women from this natural rhythm.
Below, we explore why this happened and the simple steps you can take to support your body's internal clocks.
WHAT THEY LOOKED AT
Researchers, led by chronobiologist Dr. Charlotte Förster, analyzed long-term menstrual records from 22 women, with some data stretching back to 1950. They compared these cycles against the phases of the moon.
- They specifically looked at women who were not using hormonal contraceptives.
- The goal was to see if menstruation starting dates clustered around specific moon phases (e.g., full moon or new moon).
WHAT THIS PROVED: THE 2010 PROBLEM
The data showed a stark difference between the past and the present.
- Before 2010: A clear pattern existed. Women’s cycles frequently "coupled" with the lunar cycle, with menstruation tending to start around either the new moon or the full moon. Over 90% of women in the study showed this synchrony for at least some period of time.
- After 2010: The synchronization "completely disappeared." The data became random, with no clear relationship between the cycles.
So, what happened around 2010? The mass adoption of LED screens and smartphones.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: HOW PHONES SCRAMBLE YOUR CLOCK
Your body doesn't just have one "master clock" (the circadian rhythm); it's a whole system of clocks. The master clock is set by light.
- How it's supposed to work: Bright, blue-rich sunlight tells your brain, "It's daytime! Be alert." The darkness of night tells it, "It's nighttime. Rest and repair."
- How modern life breaks it: When you stare at a blue-light-rich phone screen at 10 PM, you are sending your brain a powerful "daytime" signal.
- The Cascade Effect: This scrambles your 24-hour master clock. A scrambled master clock can, in turn, desynchronize all the other clocks in your body—from digestion and immunity to, as this study suggests, the more subtle lunar clock.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE
While you can't control gravity, you can control your light. The key to re-syncing your body is to support its master 24-hour clock.
🌞 Win the Day: Get as much bright, natural sunlight as possible, especially in the first half of the day. This locks in your "daytime" signal.
🌚 Protect the Night: Aggressively minimize bright, blue light after sunset. Use "night mode" on devices, install blue-light-blocking software, or (best of all) put screens away an hour before bed.
⏰ Time Your Life: Try to eat and exercise at consistent times. Avoid large meals or intense workouts very late at night, as these also act as "daytime" signals that can confuse your body.
8
4 comments
Women's Cycles and Light Pollution
powered by
skool.com/mind-and-body-solutions-9844
The team at MBS is here to provide understanding, care, and empowerment as you move toward your healthiest self. Let us know how we can assist you!
Suggested communities
Powered by