Menstrual Cycle 101

Unfortunately, and to no fault of their own, a lot of my clients don’t know too much about the different phases, hormonal changes and shifts that come along with our menstrual cycle. We aren’t taught enough in school!

Here is a breakdown of the 4 key phases of each cycle so you can understand what is happening to your hormones in each phase to help you connect more with your body…

Menstrual: Day 1-7ish

The bleed!

Menstruation is the elimination of the thickened lining of the uterus (endometrium) from the body through the vagina.

The shedding of the endometrium is triggered by a drop of oestrogen and progesterone.

Follicular: Bleed to ovulation

The follicular phase typically lasts for 14 days and spans from the the first day of the period to ovulation.

The pituitary gland releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which stimulates the ovary to produce follicles (around 5-20).

Throughout the cycle, multiple follicles grow in the ovaries (fluid sacs filled with eggs). Each follicle houses an immature egg. Usually, only one follicle will mature into an egg, while the others die.

The follicle produces oestrogen as it grows, causing a rise in this hormone as an egg prepares to be released.

Ovulation: Typically mid cycle

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the surface of the ovary. This usually occurs mid-cycle, around two weeks or so before menstruation starts.

A rise in oestrogen causes the release of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus (in the brain), causing a rise in FSH and luteinising hormone (LH).

Within two days, ovulation is triggered by the high levels of LH. If not met with a sperm when travelling towards to uterus, the egg will die after about 24 hours.

This 'fertile window' (5 days before ovulation and 24 hours after) is the only time pregnancy can occur during the cycle!

Luteal: Ovulation - Bleed

During ovulation, the egg bursts from its follicle, but this ruptured follicle stays on the surface of the ovary. 

For the next two weeks or so (approx 10-16 days), the follicle transforms into a structure known as the corpus luteum.

This corpus luteum begins to produce a hormone called progesterone, and small amounts of oestrogen (how cool that we grow this every cycle!). This hormonal combination maintains a thickened endometrium/uterus lining, waiting for fertilised egg implantation.

If egg is fertilised, progesterone from corpus luteum supports early pregnancy.

If there is no fertilised egg, the corpus luteum will start to break down and die, causing a drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels, which then triggers the uterine lining to shed/menstruation.

***

If this is something you’ve never been taught before, you’re definitely not alone - it’s never too late to start learning about our bodies!

If you’d like more support understanding your cycle, balancing your hormones, or figuring out what your body specifically needs, I’d love to help.

You can book a FREE 10 minute call to chat all about what magic we can conjure up together, or jump straight into an initial consultation.

Much love,

Ash x