THE

LuxeGirl Blog

Personal Development, Mindset, Love, Career & Financial Freedom

MENSTRUAL CYCLE

UNDERSTADING MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASES: Follicular, Ovulation, Luteal and Period Phases

What is Menstrual cycle?

Menstrual cycle, also referred as Period cycle is a term used to describe the series of events that occur in a woman’s body, every month, as it prepares for a possible pregnancy. Period cycle starts from the first day of your period to the day before your next period.

I personally had a hard time understading the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Probably because I was a late bloomer. My understanding was that menstrual cycle is just the duration that I was bleeding. Such a big misunderstanding that most people have too.

This article covers:

  • What is a menstrual cyle
  • How long are menstrual cycle
  • Menstrual cycle phases
  • Menstrual cycle and hormones
  • Menstrual cycle and mood
  • Menstrual cycle/ Period cycle symptoms
  • Menstrual/ Period cycle tracker
  • Menstrual cycle chart

How long are Period cycle?

Probably between 21 to 35 days, the average being 28 days. Period cycle days differ from woman to woman and can also change due to factors like stress, weather, lifestyle or even illness.

The Four Menstrual Cycle Phases

The four types of menstrual phases are:

  • Menstruation. Begins on the first day of your period, when the uterus sheds its lining if there is no pregnancy. The average length is 3 to 7 days.
  • The Follicular Phase. It is considered as the longest phase as it also starts on the day of your period and end at ovulation. It lasts for about 14 days. During this time, your hormone estrogen levels tend to increase hence leading to the thickening of the lining of your uterus. Follicles then grow on the surface of your ovaries and only one follicle matures into an egg. everything feels hopeful
  • Ovulation. This is the shortest phase as it only lasts a day. It happens when your ovary releases it egg. You have a high chance of getting pregnant during this period.
  • The Luteal Phase. After ovulation, the egg moves in your fallopian tubes to your uterus. The uterus lining still thickens to prepare for any chance of pregnancy.Having unprotected sex during this time is not recommended if you do not want to be pregnant. If pregnancy does not occur, your hormone levels drop and the thick lining of your uterus sheds during your period.

Menstrual Cycle and Hormones

Hormones tend to have a huge impact on your moods, mental health and emotions in one way or another. As I talk about the different hormones that women have at different phases of their menstrual cycle, I will also add explanations to the effects that each hormone has on moods thus covering Menstrual Cycle and moods topic. I know, killing two birds with one stone.

Menstruation

During menstruation, women tend to have low estrogen and progesterone levels which can leads to them feeling moody, inituitive, low energy or calm. They may experience period cycle symptoms like cramps, back pain and digestive issues such as bloating. Can periods cause nausea? Yes, definitely.

Follicular Phase

When the follicular phase begins, estrogen levels are always low but start rising after 3 – 4 days. You will notice increasing energy, clear skin and creamy cervical fluid. Creativity is at its peak and you feel like you can do anything. Basically my favorite time of the month. Other moods include are playful, focused and optimistic.

Ovulation

Ovulation is a one day event, technically between 24-48 hours. Women have estrogen surge and testosterone boost during this time as the body is ready to be pregnant. Some of the period cycle ovulation signs are high physical energy, symmetrical face, peak performance, wet & egg white cervical fluid. You will also feel confident, social, emotionally resilient and magnetic.

Luteal Phase

During this time, progesterone hormones are dominant while estrogen hormones drop. Progesterone is important for a fertilized egg to implant in your uterus for pregnancy, but it also builds cortisol which is a stress hormone. Higher irritability and more emotional mood changes are common on your luteal phase. Some of the physical period cycle systoms include breast tenderness, bloating, physically decreasing energy, bloat, cramps, cravings, sticky cervical fluid. Mentally you might have low motivation, reactive, sensitive, introverted. Some women also experience pre menstrual symptoms like pre bleeding. I personally dislike the luteal phase due to the lack of concentration that I experience.

Menstrual Cycle Tracker

There are so many diffrent ways that you can actually track your period at this state of time. Menstrual cycle tracker applications like Flo app and others have made it easier for us ladies.

If you prefer not to use the apps and display your personal information to strangers, no worries. You just need to note down the first day of your period, mentally or on a diary or even private calender. Ovulation occurs 13-15 days before your period starts. Keep track and in 3 months you will have it at hand, when all your mentstrual phases occur. If your cycle is 28 days then you ovulate on day 14. If its 30 days then you ovulate on day 16, 35 days will make it around day 21.

Menstrual Cycle Chart