Menstruation and the Gospel

I wonder to what degree the female menstrual cycle can be a picture of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. I don’t mean that in a vulgar way; rather, the idea that part of us needs to be shed, to descend into darkness before we can see the light again, feels somewhat metaphorical to me.

I’ve often felt that while I’m in the luteal phase of my cycle (PMS), I tend to have an increase in negative emotion. Usually the thoughts surrounding the negative emotions take on a particular theme, something in my life that is bothering me and needs to be addressed. I’ve learned to recognize this as wisdom from my body, and as I acknowledge the particular theme or issue, the emotions tend to ease in conjunction with the bleed. It’s as if my body is releasing something spiritual as well as physical, and letting go of things no longer needed help prepare the way for new energy to spring up at the conclusion of the release.

So back to the metaphor. Christ was born and walked this earth for around thirty years; the menstrual cycle lasts around thirty days. Toward the conclusion of Christ’s ministry He faced increasing opposition and resistance from people around Him to the point of death. This opposition revealed a deep need in the hearts of the people, not for a military conqueror or political rebel, but for the message of hope that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, that through repentance and being born again of the spirit they could find freedom for their souls, no matter their physical circumstances. That though the old laws had served them for a time, the fulfillment of those laws (Christ) meant that they could let go of the old and embrace a new way of life.

In some versions of the Apostles’ Creed it is said that Christ “descended into hell. On the third day He rose from the dead.” Just as baptism is a picture of descent or being buried with Christ, so also is the luteal and menstrual period a kind of descent. For some women it can feel like a kind of hell, and usually the more imbalanced the hormones the more hellish it can feel. Christ came to earth so that by dying and being willing to descend, He would restore the cosmic balance that had been thrown off as a result of the Fall. As I listen to my body and address its needs, so am I seeking to restore the balance of my hormones and of my soul. After my womb sheds its old lining, it makes way for the new. And thus the cycle repeats itself, revealing over and over again the great story of the cosmos.

In its healthiest form, the menstrual cycle can serve as a sacred gift for women to connect with God in a unique way. I confess my ignorance of conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and the like which bring great pain to the bearer. I especially want to extend gentleness and lovingkindness to those who suffer in ways I can’t even imagine. The human body is both intimate and intricate, and I want to treat it with utmost respect. I believe that sickness and disease is further evidence of the Fall, including imbalances of the hormones. And I hope that in the midst of imbalance, the beckoning of our bodies can point to the beckoning of the lover of our souls who desires deeply our restoration, redemption, and intimate communion.