sadhanaThe Menstrual Cycle: More Than Just Your Period
We tend to think of periods as something that happens once a month, right? But it is in fact the end point of a month-long dance of hormones. This month-long process is called the menstrual cycle.
In this post, we will understand what menstrual cycle is.
There are two main events that define the menstrual cycle:
One is menstruation (your period), which is what we commonly see and experience.
The other is ovulation, which happens when an egg is released from the ovaries. If the egg is not fertilized (i.e., does not combine with a sperm), it is released from the body — and this is what we experience as our period.
Menstruation and ovulation divide the monthly cycle into two halves. But because these two are not one-day events, we can further divide the cycle into four phases.
The Four Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Follicular phase
This begins the day after you stop bleeding and lasts for a few days until ovulation.
You may feel like there’s a new beginning — your body feels lighter and stronger, and you feel more energized, motivated, and interested in the world around you.
Ovulatory phase
This phase includes the day you ovulate and the couple of days before and after.
It’s when you reach your peak energy — if you’ve been taking proper care of yourself and managing stress. You may feel in a state of flow, like you can take on the world.
Luteal phase
This begins after ovulation and lasts until your next period.
A few days after ovulation, you may notice a shift in how you feel and behave. You may no longer be interested in being out in the world and prefer to be left alone. This is completely normal. Consider it your body’s way of asking you to come back home after being more outward during the first half of your cycle.
Menstrual phase
This is the phase we’re all familiar with — the bleeding. During this time, your body sheds the uterine lining and releases the egg that was not fertilized.
All your hormones are at their lowest levels, the exact opposite of the ovulatory phase. This is when your body asks for rest and recovery from the previous cycle, so you can prepare for the next one.
Why This Matters
This is a quick introduction to your menstrual cycle — but it’s an important one.
Understanding your menstrual cycle is a crucial, missing link in optimizing your health, productivity, and overall well-being as a woman. By recognizing the four phases — follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual — you gain insight into your body’s natural rhythms and can leverage them to your advantage.
Whether it’s about the impact of your cycle on your energy, mood, or behavior throughout the month, being aware of it is the first step toward feeling better.
What You Can Do Next
Now that you’re aware of the four phases, you can start charting your cycle daily to recognize patterns in your energy, mood, and productivity.
You’ll begin to notice how your cycle influences your physical, mental, and emotional state.
From there, you can start tailoring your lifestyle choices, work commitments, and self-care practices to align with your body’s needs at each stage.
You deserve to feel at home in your body — every week of the month.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward understanding your cycle, hormones and identifying where you might need support, download my free PDF: “5 Common and 5 Uncommon Signs That Your Hormones Are Out of Balance.”
This guide will help you spot patterns, recognize hidden symptoms, and understand what your body might be trying to tell you.
Once you’ve read through it, feel free to message me over at @empowered.periods and share what you discovered or ask any questions.
