During the menstrual cycle, the female body undergoes many internal and external changes, many of which are primarily due to fluctuating reproductive hormones that prepare the body for the possibility of fertilization and subsequent pregnancy.
In this article, we'll look at the changes you may notice in yourself during the month, but which you may not have noticed before, or perhaps you may not have associated with reproductive hormones at all!
Physical appearance
Do you sometimes feel like you look completely different than you did a few days ago, and you blame it on your expected period? You're not far from the truth, the phase of your cycle and specifically the hormones that control your period do indeed change your appearance to some extent.
After menstruation ends and as ovulation approaches, the hormone estrogen gives skin a healthy glow, but it also affects fluid balance, which can affect facial texture and thickness. Skin may appear more even-toned and firmer overall due to increased collagen production. During the luteal phase, as progesterone levels rise, skin tends to become oilier and more prone to acne . Or, a woman may experience darker spots and cracking of the skin. During menstruation, when hormones are at their lowest, skin can become drier and lines and wrinkles more noticeable . ( 1 )
Number on the scale
A woman's body weight can fluctuate a little bit almost every week. And hormones play a role in this again: hormonal changes during the cycle can lead to weight fluctuations, especially before menstruation, when the body usually retains more water , which can be reflected in the number on the scale. However, this is not body fat, but only the aforementioned water, which the body loses again after menstruation ends.
Sweating rate
A woman's basal body temperature fluctuates slightly throughout her cycle along with hormone levels, a factor that is widely used inthe sympothermal method for determining the fertile period. Just before ovulation, body temperature first drops sharply and then rises again after ovulation due to the increase in progesterone.
After ovulation and during the luteal phase, progesterone remains elevated, and so does body temperature, which can impair the body's thermoregulation. This may cause you to sweat more quickly and more during physical activity, or you may notice it in the form of night sweats, a fairly common symptom of PMS. As progesterone levels drop before menstruation, so does body temperature. ( 2 )
Libido
Libido is not constant in either sex, and in women it is even more complicated by reproductive hormones controlled by the monthly cycle.
The increase in estrogen, testosterone, and LH just before ovulation can increase libido, which is particularly related to fertility and the likelihood of getting pregnant. As progesterone increases during the luteal phase, libido may decrease slightly.
However, the level of libido can also change with age and, of course, does not depend only on hormones; the current psychological state, relationship with the partner or the length of the relationship, mood or amount of sleep, or even the relationship to one's own body and self-confidence also have a significant influence.
Breast size and sensitivity
As you prepare for pregnancy, you may notice changes in the size or sensitivity of your breasts throughout your cycle, especially during the luteal phase . The increase in progesterone causes the mammary glands in your breasts to grow , and during this period you may notice swelling, increased sensitivity, or even mild pain. If pregnancy does not occur, hormone levels drop, menstruation occurs, and the mammary glands = breasts return to their normal size.
Quality and quantity of sleep
Seven out of ten women experience sleep changes before their period, and premenstrual insomnia is a fairly common symptom of PMS . As estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the month, so do the aforementioned body temperature and levels of neurotransmitters, including serotonin. All of this can affect how well you sleep that night, and how much energy you have the next day.
With the increase in estrogen after menstruation, it supports energy levels and helps keep body temperature in a lower range, which has a positive effect on the quality and quantity of sleep. During ovulation, basal body temperature fluctuates significantly. After ovulation, the temperature rises, which can negatively affect the quality of sleep and you may experience short-term insomnia. A few days before menstruation, hormone levels drop, which can disrupt sleep patterns.
During these days and around menstruation, women may experience increased fatigue and sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. ( 3 )
Voice
This change may be the biggest surprise for you! Receptors for sex hormones have been found on the vocal cords, which means that there is a close connection between the function of the vocal cords and the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
One study looked at the relationship between voice pitch and menstrual cycle phase, comparing menstruating women and women using hormonal contraception. While women on hormonal contraception showed no change over the course of their cycle, menstruating women had higher minimum pitch in the late follicular phase and lower voice intensity in the luteal phase. ( 4 ) However, further research is needed to understand the specific role that hormones play in changes in women’s voices.
