I’m really looking forward to talking about menstrual cycles with you. Our bodies are constantly changing during our cycle and not just when mother nature turns up but from the very moment our period begins, so does our cycle. Its been really interesting for me whilst researching this post to also learn and make connection into regards to where I am in my cycle and I hope this helps you understand the changes your body goes through over the month.
Before I get started, I just want to say that everything is different for everyone, and one symptom or mood in a certain phase for one person will be different from person to person. There should never be pressure to feel a certain way, especially as our bodies are changing constantly. I’m by no means a professional in this area, just someone hoping to shed light on menstruation and get the conversation started with you.
Let’s take a closer look at every phase below.
Menstrual phase average days: 1 – 7
When your menstrual phase begins, this means your cycle has just started this also marks the beginning of your follicular phase they will continue together until your menstrual phase comes to an end.
Your menstrual phase can last between 3-5 days, depending on how long you bleed. Once your period comes to an end, you are at the height of your follicular phase, which ends before you begin ovulation.
Your menstrual phase is supposed to be your lowest of your energy during the month, with common symptoms being low energy , lethargy, and increased appetite. For me, when my period starts, once the first day is out the way I begin to start feeling I have more energy and overall, the best I have felt during the last few weeks of the month.
Symptoms – cramps – back pain – bloating – tiredness – tender breasts
Follicular phase average days: 1-12
Your follicular phase is the peak of your cycle, and when you will the best, you have all month with rising levels of estrogen as well as higher energy levels, and you will feel at your happiest.
You can expect to see physical changes , you may look leaner feel more confident, sexy and sociable . This is your body’s blueprint telling you you’re getting ready for ovulation.
Symptoms – increase in energy- happier
Ovulation phase average days: 13 – 16
Typicically, the start of your ovulation is when you can feel your very best with a peak in your energy levels when you feel your most desired. But for some me include my ovulation is when I can feel my worst from being bloated to cramps to feel sharp pains in my lower back due to ovulation.
Symptoms – estrogen peaks – highest energy levels – rise in basal body temperature – thicker discharge
Luteal phase average length days : 17-28
At the beginning of your luteal phase you can still be feeling the after effects of ovulation. Once the effects of ovulation have worn off you can expect your emotions to go a bit haywire. During your luteal phase emotions can vary from being irritable , sad ,not liking our appearance to struggling with low energy .
If you experience things like PMS , cramping , inflammation and bloating this will be the time when you feel your body preparing to shed your uterine lining and can feel like this for around a week and half before starting your period thus restarts day one of your cycle .
Symptoms – mood swings – headaches – breast pain – food cravings – low energy
I hope this post helps breakdown the four very different phases of your cycle and why you experience what you do when you do.
Don’t forget your never alone and my hope is that by starting the conversation around menstruation that we can openly discuss this topic and squash those taboos and feeling alone.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post and from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to talk to about this.
Let’s keep the conversation going