Stages Of The Menstrual Cycle In Order – Did you know that menstruation is only one of the four phases of your reproductive cycle? Hormones, mood, energy levels and sex drive fluctuate during each of these four phases. If you only learned this as an adult, you’re not alone. We’re here to teach you the basics, because knowing the ins and outs of your cycle can help you better understand what your body needs in each phase.

The reproductive cycle lasts about 28 days, but this can differ from person to person or even within the same person but at different stages throughout life. During the cycle, various events happen in the uterus and ovaries with the aim of fertilizing an egg. These events influence how we feel. It may be helpful to think of this process in four phases, each phase represented by a different season of the year.

Stages Of The Menstrual Cycle In Order

The cycle begins on the first day of menstruation, when the lining of the uterus sheds, releasing menstrual blood from the vagina for about 3 to 7 days. Many people use products like tampons during menstruation, while others use menstrual blood for ancient cultural rituals. To manage your period in an eco-friendly way, try a menstrual cup.

What Is A Menstrual Cycle?

Mood. Technically, periods shouldn’t be painful, but it’s no secret that they often are. People can feel crampy, achy and tired during their period, wanting to crawl into bed and stay there until the discomfort passes (it is winter, after all). Our Menstrual Pain Relief Device,

, can help with that. Mood swings due to menstruation are totally valid (but being called “moody” is not).

Energy. During menstruation, energy levels are likely to be low. Your body will want rest, but if you still want to keep your body moving, leisurely exercise is recommended. This can be as simple as doing a few stretches before bed, relaxing in a yin yoga session or going for a walk.

Sex. Menstrual sex will feel different for everyone. The increased lubrication from menstrual blood can make sex more enjoyable, however, not everyone has the energy for sex during their period. The cervix may be lower than usual, making deep penetration a little more difficult, however the uterus should move up to lengthen the vagina with excitement.

Stages Menstrual Cycle Illustration Stock Vector By ©blueringmedia 650846226

After your period ends, the lining of the uterus begins to thicken again as estrogen levels rise. Egg follicles begin to develop (hence the name, the “follicular” phase) in preparation for the fall of the egg during ovulation.

Mood. The follicular phase should be accompanied by an elevated mood. It’s spring, baby! You may feel a new sense of optimism and zest for life. Spend a lot of time socializing, it’s time to go out.

Energy. In addition to boosting mood, physical energy levels should start to rise again. The follicular phase is a good time to diversify your exercise routine and try a dance-cardio class or a sunrise swim.

Sex. You may have some sexual energy, but chances are you need to spend a little more foreplay during this phase. In the first few days after your period, cervical mucus isn’t being produced, so things can feel a little dry and you may need a little extra lube.

The Stages Of Mitosis And Cell Division

Ovulation occurs about mid-cycle, 14 days before your period starts (but this will be different each month, depending on the length of the follicular phase). During ovulation, estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) peaks dramatically, causing an egg to be released from one of the ovaries.

Mood. That beautiful spring mood carries over into the summer. You may feel confident, playful, creative, sensual and motivated. Use that peak mood to finish your project, go to a meeting, or ask for a raise at work.

Energy. During ovulation, energy levels peak. If you’re looking for a chance to really push yourself with intense exercise, this is it. However, some people experience ovulation pain in the form of cramping or lower abdominal pain, which can be limiting.

Sex. If you associate summer with sex, you’re fine. The ovulatory phase is the most fertile and desireable inner season. The cervix may rise during ovulation, allowing for deeper penetration during sex. If the type of sex you’re having could lead to pregnancy, about 5 days around ovulation is the optimal time for conception, but if that’s something you’re trying to avoid, maybe double up on birth control.

Vector Diagram Of The Female Menstrual Cycle. Phases Of The Female Cycle In The Calendar: Follicular Phase, Ovulation, Luteal Phase, Menstruation. Stock Vector

After ovulation, the lining of the uterus continues to thicken. Progesterone occurs but decreases if the egg is not fertilized. If fertilization occurs, progesterone and estrogen levels continue to rise until the person is no longer pregnant, when the hormones drop dramatically, explaining that common period of postpartum “baby blues.”

Mood. During the luteal phase, especially towards the end, many people experience premenstrual symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, fatigue, changes in appetite, insomnia or acne. Again,  Aura is a good option for pain relief.

Energy. With summer behind us, energy levels begin to wane. Low-impact exercise like yoga or strength training can be nice during this phase, as you may not have much energy, but you’re not tired enough to sit around all day.

Sex. You could still be peaking at ovulation, but your sex drive will probably start to slow down in this final phase before your period returns. Sexual energy will likely decrease during this phase, because if you haven’t conceived, your body is preparing to repeat the cyclical process again. Get cozy baby we’re coming back in the winter. There are many reasons why you might be interested in learning more about your menstrual cycle. Maybe you just started your period or are in the process of choosing a birth control method. You may be experiencing changes in your cycle and would like to better understand why.

Menstrual Hygiene Management

Whatever the reason, this cycle (or repetition of events) is part of you and your everyday life. There is increased freedom when you better understand your menstrual cycle. You have more control over pregnancy prevention, conception, and your overall health experience and daily activities.

The menstrual cycle is more than a period. It is a chain of activities related to the brain, ovaries and uterus

; chemical signals sent through the blood from one part of the body to another (1). The cycle is divided into two smaller cycles: the uterine cycle and the ovarian cycle (1).

, in other words different stages (1). Different events occur in each phase. There are three phases in the uterine cycle: menstruation

Cycle Syncing: How To Eat And Exercise During Your Menstrual Cycle

Proliferative and secretory phase (before menstrual bleeding) (1). There are also three phases in the ovarian cycle: follicular (before ovulation), ovulation

The menstrual cycle is not always perfectly predictable (1). The length of menstrual cycles can vary from cycle to cycle (1, 2). Even in people with fairly predictable periods, ovulation may not occur on the exact same day each cycle (3). This can make it difficult to predict (1).

) (1). Anovulation is more common in the early years of menstruation and when your cycle is coming to an end during (peri)menopause (1). It can also happen during breastfeeding or with certain conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (1, 4). Sometimes ovulation may not happen, but a regular period may happen and there is no known cause (4).

The menstrual cycle is a very sophisticated process; it can often feel very complex. To simplify this topic, we will talk about what happens in a menstrual cycle in a linear fashion, assuming that ovulation occurs, but every body is unique. There really is no such thing as a “typical” menstrual cycle.

Wellbeing During Your Monthly Cycle

A menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation and ends at the beginning of the next period. A full menstrual cycle usually lasts between 24 and 38 days (2), but menstrual cycles can vary from person to person, cycle to cycle, and can also change over the years.

Cycle length changes between menarche (when periods first start during puberty) and menopause (when periods stop permanently) (5, 6).

Some people notice changes in their hair, skin, poop, chronic disease symptoms, mood, migraines, or even the way they experience sex at different times of the menstrual cycle.

Understanding your menstrual cycle is important because it can affect your body from head to toe. People use different methods of cycle tracking to understand their experiences, to conceive and to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal birth control methods affect the cycle either by preventing ovulation, changing the lining of the uterus, or both. Before ovulation 1. Uterine cycle:

The Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle

What: Blood from the previous cycle inside the uterus is shed through the cervix and vagina. The uterine mucosa, called

, is thinner in this phase. A typical period can last up to 8 days (2), but on average it lasts about five or six (7).

Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone levels are usually at their lowest. This causes the upper layers of the lining to release and leave the body.

What: Proliferative means rapid growth. The uterus forms a thick inner lining as the ovaries prepare

Nutrition For The Different Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle

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