When we last left off on our journey of mucous membrane discovery, I left you with a few facts about mucous membranes as gloriously evolved barricades that essentially allow or disallow certain particles to interface with our internal bodies. As you know, I am still way too geeky to put my own ramblings about obscure body parts to rest, so here is Part 2 of our journey into understanding the exceptional functions of our bodies’ mucous membranes. Today we will learn how to take care of our mucous membranes and figure out what they have to do with the process of menstruation.
Mucous Membranes Functioning Systematically
Scientists, like Navkiran Gill, Marta Wlodarska, and B Brett Finlay believe mucous membranes functioning around the body aren’t behaving as autonomously and separately from one another as we may think. It’s not as simple as, “Oh the horror! Pollen and dander are getting all up in my nose’s business through my mucous membranes and inflaming my brain!”
Mucosal Immune System Diagram (adapted from Navkiran Gill, Marta Wlodarska & B Brett Finlay’s article)
In the article entitled, “The Future of Mucosal Immunology: Studying an Integrated System-Wide Organ,” Gill, Wlodarska, and Finlay describe the Mucosal Immune System as “an integrated network of tissues, cells and effector molecules that protect the host from infection and environmental insult at mucous membrane surfaces.” The article insists that mucous membranes share information despite the distance and uniqueness between them.
The way I understood this article made me think about how we ladies tend to pay attention to the simpler messages our body sends us, like pain: “Ow, Uterus! What gives?! I know I’m on my period, but I’m going to drown you in Midol… Let’s see how you like that,” as opposed to understanding what exactly is happening within our bodies: “Oh Uterus, I get you… You’re getting rid of that dead layer of mucous membrane, called endometrium, and to do that you have to work with my muscles and cervix to get the useless waste out of my body. Okay, rock on.”
What role do mucous membranes play in menstruation?
In my research for this post, I ran into two of the most informative and straightforward paragraphs having to do with the anatomical breakdown of the vagina. They are as follows:
“The female vagina is a fibromuscular tube, around 7-9 cm long, the upper part of which is in direct contact with the base of the bladder. The vaginal walls are lined by mucous membrane, and at birth, there is a thin fold across the vaginal opening. This hymen can be torn during childhood, or after the first use of tampons. Externally, the folds of skin (labia) which bound the vaginal opening contain sweat and sebaceous glands. Two Bartholin’s glands, one on either side of the vaginal opening, produce mucus during intercourse.
The mucous membrane lining of the vagina itself does not itself contain glands. Lubrication comes from mucus secreted by the cervix. The vaginal lining does, however, contain a lot of glycogen, the levels of which increase in the second half (post-ovulatory phase) of the cycle. Doderlein’s bacillys, an organism normally found in the adult vagina, breaks down this glycogen to form lactic acid, giving a pH of around 4.5. This acidity serves to protect against infection. Lactobacilli also keep their organisms under control by producing hydrogen peroxide.” (Dr. Imogen Savage “Keeping Fresh And Healthy”)
I know, I know, you might read this and think to yourself “Okay, gimme a break, Sharon… This information is not that scintillating.” And what I’d say to that it’s not often that I stumble across articles that can hash out what a vagina does and consists of concisely and directly without trying to sell me something or without addressing some kind of disease. Sounds weird, but that’s what’s up.
Anyway, looking back on the piece of text from Dr. Savage’s article, a few critical points that you might want to take away are:
1. The vagina attempts to correct and heal itself by using an intricate pH system where it will provide a sufficient level of acidity to keep your vagina free of harmful bacteria given it is in healthy working order. This regulatory system maintains bolsters the mucosal immune system that is constantly changing in synchronicity with our menstrual cycles and sexual health.
2. The mucus produced to keep your mucous membranes healthy is created by the cervix.
As mentioned before, the vaginal canal is usually a hostile place for most bacteria and an unwelcoming home for sperm, but during the fertile part of your monthly cycle (8 to 12 days after menstruation depending), the cervix will release a thick layer of mucus that can help sperm reach the uterus in order to fertilize a potential egg. After the fertile period, the mucus lining the vaginal canal will lessen and the uterus will begin to change as the uterine lining (essentially a mucous membrane called endometrium) begins to thicken in order to create the optimum environment for an egg. It’s a bit rudimentary, but here’s a link to an article called “Normal Menstruation” (I’m markedly not fond of the title) that breaks down the physiological changes that occur in the uterus during menstruation and provides a visual. The egg will implant itself in the wall of the uterus and if it is not reached by a daring spermy guy, the uterus will begin to shed its lining and voila, period!
How to Maintain Healthy Mucous Membranes
Generally toning to the mucous membranes:
–Goldenseal Rhizome & Rootlets are stimulating astringents, that tonify the mucous membrane. They are also a stomach tonic and act as digestive bitters; improve appetite and digestion; promote peristaltic action and muscular tone of stomach and intestines; promote bile production. Antibacterial and antifungal. Use for sinuses, bronchial irritations, and colitis. (Wellsphere Article: The Best Herbs to Fight Allergies & Hay Fever Symptoms: Reduce Sneezing, Congestion & Sore Throat)
In the Stomach + Digestive Tract…
Probiotics– According to a fascinating article “Gut Flora And Your Healthy Immune System” by Mark Sisson, “It’s generally accepted that gut flora affects and informs our immune systems, and how it does so, though a complicated, multi-faceted process, is beginning to be teased out by researchers… Intestinal flora helps determine the quality of our mucosal immune system in several ways…. Healthy gut flora populations protect against invading microbes by simply taking up space and generally being more proficient at obtaining nutrients than the intruders. They’re playing defense, and informed, experienced defenders who know their way around always have the advantage.” Probiotics help sustain beneficial gut flora in your stomach and digestive tract.
Some healthful sources of probiotics are as follows: 1. yogurt 2. pickled foods/ fermented foods (sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, tamari) 3. kombucha 4. kefir 5. sourdough bread
Licorice Root– Not my favorite taste in the world, but I used to nibble on licorice root when I went camping in the deep deserts of Israel, and low and behold, not one unreasonable stomach ache. “Not only the skin but the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract yield to the soothing and healing action of licorice root. The plant reinforces the body’s ability to withstand attack from virtually any kind of pathogen, and should therefore be considered a tonic for the musculoskeletal system.” (Herbal Tonic Therapies by Daniel B. Mowrey)
Organic Gelatib
Gelatin– It is an older, lesser known aid in maintaining mucosal health in the digestive track, but there it is… Bill Cosby’s goofy smile in the Jello commercials: inspired by gelatin and a happy set of intestines (maybe). “Gelatin is very good in soothing the digestive tract and healing the mucous membrane of the intestines. Both the naturally occurring gelatin in a homemade soup or broth, and also the store bought unflavored packets can be beneficial.”
Sources:
–Monitoring Ovulation Naturally For Pregnancy
–Increase The Quality Of Cervical Mucous
-Keeping Fresh and Health by Dr. Imogen Savage
-“The Future of Mucosal Immunology: Studying an Integrated System-Wide Organ” by Navkiran Gill, Marta Wlodarska, and B Brett Finlay
-“Probiotic Bacteria, Mucous Membranes, and the Immune System” by Dr. John Zebrun
–Herbal Tonic Therapies by Daniel B. Mowrey