When it comes to the menstrual cycle , many women only imagine regular monthly bleeding or ovulation and fertile days. However, the menstrual cycle means much more and may not be just a "necessary evil" in a woman's life, serving only reproductive functions.
Each phase of the menstrual cycle affects a woman on a daily basis. Changing levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone affect energy, athletic performance, appetite, metabolic rate, and immune function. As a result, you can feel like a completely different person almost every week!
Let's take a look at the four phases of the menstrual cycle and how the female body changes with them.
Follicular phase
The follicular phase follows menstruation. The pituitary gland releases a hormone called FSH, which stimulates follicles in the ovaries to mature. Estrogen begins to rise, causing the uterine lining to grow.
What is happening in the body?
After the end of menstruation comes the follicular period, often called the dynamic phase due to its characteristics . During this time, the female body most closely resembles the male body in its characteristics and strengths. If you have allowed yourself enough rest and time for yourself during your menstrual phase, thanks to the rising level of estrogen, you may feel a surge of new energy, self-confidence, motivation and perhaps even the desire to take a little risk.
This is the best time to start new projects and check off your to-do list, because it will almost happen on its own. Due to hormone levels, the brain is switched to logical thinking and problem-solving or complex tasks.
Although this phase has many advantages and is very popular among women, it also has its downsides. With the prevailing logic and systematicity, you will probably lack patience, the ability to listen, or generally work in a team. Therefore, it is better to choose a solo path for a few days or weeks.
Ovulation phase
Ovulation is the moment approximately halfway through the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from a follicle in the ovary, travels to the uterus, and waits there for fertilization for 24 hours.
What is happening in the body?
Especially from the point of view of evolutionary development , a woman's sexual desire is strongest during the ovulation phase . And as hormone levels peak, logical thinking gradually gives way to the ability to empathize and communicate with others . Thanks to these qualities, women are best able to build new relationships and work in a team. In addition, self-confidence and a better feeling about their appearance are added. And believe me, it's not just a feeling. You are also much more beautiful and attractive to those around you. If you have meetings, interviews or work presentations coming up, move them to this period. You will radiate self-confidence and persuasiveness, and no one will doubt you for a moment.
Empathy peaks, and with it perhaps care for others. However, be careful not to forget to take care of yourself . At this stage, not every activity may come as easily as in previous weeks, so don't push yourself and be patient.
Luteal phase
Once the follicle releases its egg, it changes into the corpus luteum . This releases hormones, primarily progesterone, which will dominate the second part of the menstrual cycle. Together with estrogen, it prepares the uterine lining for possible fertilization.
What is happening in the body?
The luteal phase is one of the less popular parts of the menstrual cycle. It is usually associated with mood swings, energy dips, and increased cravings for sweets. Especially if you don't live in harmony with your cycle and don't allow yourself to rest when your body tells you to, this period can be a challenge for you.
Despite all this, you can certainly find something positive about the premenstrual phase. Hormone levels affect the brain to be better able to focus on details and finish projects . It is not for nothing that this phase is also often called creative, as you will be able to best express your imagination and creative spirit, but you will feel like organizing, sorting and cleaning at home. Towards the end of this phase, as hormones decline, energy decreases, and with it comes a greater tendency to focus on yourself rather than on socializing.
Changes will also come in the area of exercise and sports . If you prefer more demanding physical activity, such as strength training, HIIT or running, motivation and strength may decrease during the luteal phase. Therefore, in the second part of the cycle, try replacing running and exercise with walking, yoga or stretching, and do not give as much weight to the results as to the feelings that accompany the movement.
Are you struggling with PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical and psychological symptoms that occur before menstruation. Its well-known typical symptoms include mood swings, uncontrollable cravings, fatigue, swelling, or bloating.
This condition occurs mainly due to sudden changes in hormone levels. Progesterone itself has a calming effect on a woman's body. If you experience PMS for a long time, it may be a sign that your body is not producing enough progesterone to alleviate the symptoms and keep you comfortable.
Menstrual phase
If fertilization does not occur, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone fall, and menstruation occurs, during which the uterine lining is shed .
What is happening in the body?
During the menstrual phase, physical energy decreases and, conversely, there is an increased need for sleep and rest . During this phase, definitely do not force yourself into something that you do not feel like doing at the moment. If you do not give your body the rest it needs, you will lack energy in the next cycle. So do not plan too demanding activities and do not force yourself to contact people, it is better to close yourself off and work with your thoughts.
Although the menstrual phase may seem difficult and difficult to grasp in real life, there are also advantages that you can use in practice. During this period, a woman has great insight and strong intuition , she can evaluate her current attitude and everything that happened in the past cycle. This way, she knows what serves her and what she no longer needs. So if you have a big decision to make in life and you don't know which direction to take, wait until your menstrual period.
What if I take hormonal contraception?
With hormonal birth control, you may not experience these symptoms during your cycle. The synthetic hormones from birth control pills or medications stimulate the female reproductive hormones, which can make you feel the same way throughout your menstrual cycle. Once you stop taking birth control, your hormones will start to kick in over time and you will also become a cyclical woman.
Do you practice the principles of the cyclical woman in your life? Or is the menstrual cycle new to you from this perspective and only now has the door to a new world opened for you? Each phase has its pros and cons. If you start practicing the principles of the cyclical woman, you will get to know yourself and the reasons why sometimes you excel in certain activities and at other times you hardly succeed at all.
Don't know how to live in harmony with your cycle? Or are you troubled by an irregular or otherwise unhealthy cycle, menstrual pain, PMS, and would you like to optimize your hormonal health?
Contact our Femvie experts who will create an individual plan based on your medical history, lab results, symptom monitoring, cycle analysis and a 90 min. initial consultation. Our experts will provide you with a complete assessment of your health and will support you on an ongoing basis to achieve results.
Information about how consultations work can be found here .
If you have any questions about women's health, don't hesitate to contact our experts at the Femvie consultation . They will be happy to answer everything for free.*
*The consultation does not serve as a substitute for gynecological support and assistance. If you are experiencing any health problems, we recommend that you contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Sources used:
GRAY, Miranda: The Cyclic Woman: How to Use Your Lunar Cycle to Achieve Success and Fulfillment
https://www.floliving.com/infradian-rhythm/
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-16167/get-to-know-the-4-phases-of-your-menstrual-cycle.html
https://www.jennis.com/blog/cyclemapping/how-does-your-mood-change-across-your-menstrual-cycle/
https://www.larabriden.com/progesterone-mood-treat-pmdd/
