Everyone’s talking about the cycle phases… but what even are they and how do I know which one I’m in?
Let me break it down for you:
Menstrual Phase: The first day of your period is day one of your cycle. Your period, or the menstrual phase, is the most known phase–but your period (aka, days that you bleed) is technically a part of your follicular phase. However, for our purposes, we recognize the menstrual phase as its own unique phase.
Follicular Phase: The first day after your period has ended is known as your follicular phase. It gets its name because this is the time period in which ovarian follicles (follicular–get it?) develop and your body prepares to ovulate.
This phase is the most dynamic and unique, and for some women, can be different each month. The follicular phase can elongate if your body is under stress and feels that it could not support a baby. This is sometimes why women who suffer from chronic stress, are underweight, or overexercise will not have periods for long stretches of time.
Ovulatory Phase: While this time period is also known as a phase, ovulation actually occurs in an instant. However, the ovulatory phase is considered a phase as it is the days leading up to, during, and the day after ovulation. During this time, your body releases an egg that travels down the fallopian tube. The egg awaits fertilization. This is when a pregnancy could occur: if the sperm meets the egg during this phase, then a fertilized egg will seek implantation, and pregnancy will occur. If not, the egg will be pushed toward the uterus and break down in the next phase.
This phase is often associated with energy, higher sex drive, and other positive physical experiences, such as glowing skin. This experience makes sense from a reproductive point of view: during ovulation, a woman is able to get pregnant and her body experiences symptoms that make achieving a pregnancy more likely. However, the rapid changing of hormone levels can often cause other negative symptoms, such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, and mittelschmerz (ovulation pain).
Luteal Phase: This phase typically remains consistent in length, and on average, 10 days. During this phase, if sperm was able to meet an egg, the egg would be seeking to implant and pregnancy would occur. If not, the egg is breaking down to be released again in menstruation. During this phase, body temperatures rise and cervical mucus thickens.
For many women, the luteal phase can be the most challenging in terms of symptoms. Women may experience sore breasts, low energy, food cravings, moodiness, and require more sleep. However, the luteal phase can also be an excellent time of introspection and sensitivity as those abilities may be heightened during this phase.
Following the luteal phase, the menstrual phase begins again on the first day of your next period.
Understanding your phases can be a powerful way to embrace cyclical rhythm and anticipate the needs of your body throughout your cycle!