I healed my coochie, y’all!!
Okay, I know that’s a bit forward because we just met, but let me give you the backstory.
For 3–4 months my cycle had been all over the place. Not the “oh I’m a day late” type of irregular. I’m talking 15–20-day cycles. Straight. Bleeding. My period has always been a polite 5–7 days, then my girl would pack her bags and leave. This new version? She moved in rent-free and wouldn’t leave.
At first, I was in denial. I’m over 35, so I figured it was just one of those normal hormonal shifts. By the second month, though, I knew something was off. But I blamed it on working long hours. I had a full-time job plus a digital series with a production company based in California, so my time zones (and my body) were all over the place.
When the third month of irregular, 20-day cycles came, I knew there was a problem. So, like any millennial woman with a degree and Wi-Fi, I did what we all do: I WebMD’ed myself to sleep. Within an hour I had convinced myself I had three types of cancer, three missing chromosomes, diabetes types 1, 2 and 3 (lol)……..oh, and PCOS. Why do we do this to ourselves?!
Because I was gaining weight and feeling exhausted, the PCOS symptoms felt the most “accurate.” But I decided to stop self-diagnosing and go see real doctors.
My primary care physician took my blood pressure, weight, bloodwork. The whole annual check-up drill. Two weeks later my labs came back: thyroid fine, A1C fine, not pregnant…but low iron. (Shocker: months of nonstop bleeding = low iron. Mystery solved.) My PCP recommended iron supplements.
Then I went to my OBGYN, hoping for real answers for my broken coochie. She suggested an ultrasound. Y’all, let me pause right here. This was my first ultrasound ever. The only ultrasounds I’d seen were on TV — gel on the belly, a doctor saying “It’s a boy!”
So imagine my face when the tech pulled out what looked like a 10-foot wand. In my head I’m like, where TF is she planning to put that?! Sidebar: OBs really should warn women which type of ultrasound they’re about to get. I was 36, never had one, and honestly a little traumatized, but that’s a story for another day.
A few days later, I went back for results. Eggs? Great. Ovaries? Intact. No cysts. Basically…nothing. My doctor shrugged: “I don’t know what’s wrong. Maybe we can try some things. There are some trial medicines we could …… ” I couldn’t even focus on the lack luster next steps. Why would you recommend trial medicines when you don’t even know what is going on with me?
In that moment I realized: saving my coochie was up to me.
I left feeling defeated but determined. Three things I knew weren’t helping: weight gain, bad sleep habits, and stress. This was month 4, and honestly it was starting to mess with my mental health. I had to do something.
I signed up for a 6-week HIIT class. By the end I was stronger, faster…and the exact same weight. My cycle was still irregular. Turns out HIIT isn’t always great for women over 35 because it spikes cortisol (aka stress) the exact opposite of what I needed.
So I simplified. I started walking. I challenged myself to 20 days of 7 hours of sleep and took my vitamins. My energy slowly came back, but I was still bleeding for 20 days.
About four days before my irregular “best friend” was due to show up, I prayed. “God, what should I be doing to get my girl back together?”
And I heard it loud and clear: “Girl, you need to do a 48-hour water fast. Your body needs a reset.”
It felt like nobody but God. So I didn’t question it. I prepped my mind and for 48 hours I ate nothing — just water. That fast tested my discipline and my faith. I felt like God wanted to prove He could do all things, but I had to relinquish control.
Two days later my cycle came. Six days later she was gone. Back to her regularly scheduled program. 
Do I think stress and weight played a major role? Absolutely. But my body needed a full reboot to give everything I was trying a chance. And I thank God I was determined to heal myself.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. Please consult your physician before taking matters into your own hands.
But what I will say is this: our bodies are machines. There’s a real connection between healing and fasting. If your cycle suddenly becomes irregular and your healthcare team can’t figure out what’s wrong, keep reducing stress, get your sleep, maybe drop some weight, pray, and with medical clearance, try a 48-hour water fast.
Give your coochie (and your whole body) the reset it needs. You’ll thank God (and me) later!
– Auntie Byrd
You can keep up with Auntie Byrd on IG @goodgriefbyrd or @auntie_byrd
*Auntie Byrd is a Posh Auntie contributor. If you have a story you’d like to share please email poshauntie@gmail.com*
