The health of the womb is important for a woman's overall well-being, but did you know that your ancestral lineage can play a role in your womb's health? Our ancestors have passed down not only physical traits but also cultural beliefs and practices that can affect our health in ways we may not even realize. Understanding how ancestral lineage affects womb health can help us to take control of our reproductive health and make informed choices for our bodies.
The Role of Cultural Practices
Cultural practices and beliefs can have a significant impact on our health, including our womb health. For example, some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM), a harmful practice that involves the removal of the external genitalia or other parts of the female genitalia. FGM has been shown to cause long-term physical and psychological harm, including complications during childbirth, painful periods, and an increased risk of uterine infections, which is one of the reasons given for FGM, that it will reduce infections, but because it does done more aggressively than needed to include removal of the clitorisis, and often in unhygienic conditions the infection rates are higher. Understanding the cultural practices and beliefs that have been passed down from our ancestors can help us to make informed choices about our health and avoid practices that may be harmful to our bodies.
Also in some south Asian cultures, of which I am a part of, women have a huge amount of responsibilities towards their parents, in-laws AND extended family members, alongside looking after the needs of her husband and children. It is no wonder that in many of these cultures, women do not feel they can prioritise their own health or needs. But prioritise we must if we wish not to continue to pass on our fears, anxieties and traumas to forthcoming generations.
The Influence of Trauma
Trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next, affecting not only our mental and emotional health but also our physical health. For example, a woman who has experienced trauma may pass down her stress and anxiety to her daughter, who in turn may experience chronic stress and anxiety that affects her womb health. This is because stress and anxiety can cause hormonal imbalances, which can lead to problems like infertility, menstrual irregularities, and miscarriage. Trauma can also be also be passed down to our male children through our and their fathers DNA but that's a story for another day!
Taking Control of Your Womb Health
Fortunately, we can take steps to improve our womb health, regardless of our ancestral lineage. Here are a few tips for improving your womb health:
Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is important for maintaining good health, including womb health. Self-care practices like exercise, healthy eating, and stress management can help to keep your hormones balanced and your womb healthy. Particularly going organic especially with poultry is a big help!
Learn about your cultural practices and beliefs: Understanding the cultural practices and beliefs that have been passed down from your ancestors can help you to make informed choices about your health. Avoid harmful practices, like FGM, and embrace practices that promote health and well-being.
Seek support for trauma: If you have experienced trauma, it's important to seek support from a therapist or counselor. Dealing with trauma can help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve your overall health, including your womb health. Find a therapist that resonates with you, there are alternatives to mainstream Psychotherapists, like body work therapist who mix massage and affirmations or meditation, mindfulness as part of their sessions or visit a womb health practitioner in your local area.
Our ancestral lineage can play a role in our womb health in more ways than one, but we can take steps to improve our health, regardless of our heritage. By practicing self-care, learning about our cultural practices and beliefs, and seeking support for trauma, we can take control of our womb health and promote overall well-being.
This has been a quick whistle step blog, as womens womb spaces are so magical even without a womb the tissue can still hold on to previous trauma, grief and sorrow which we need to release before it causes Dis-ease. It can also heal itself if we give it the right nourishment and attention. The Hoopoonono prayer is a great way to kick start this care along with many other talented peeps who have compiled womb meditations on utube which you can access for free. Wishing you all happy womb spaces!
With love and blessings,
Tahira