For those who have a menstrual cycle, understanding the various phases of the cycle can be incredibly empowering. By learning about your menstrual cycle, you can better understand your body, your hormones, and your overall health. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different phases of the menstrual cycle and why it’s important to follow your cycle.
The reason why I am writing about this is because there was a time in my life when everything was pretty chaotic. On some days I tried to do many things, even when I did not have the energy for it. Since I started to follow my own cycle, I kind of know what I need and when I need it. There is one week I definitely need to rest more than other weeks. And it feels like I am more in control of my own emotions and understand my body even better. Before, I always had major mood swings but now I am feeling in control. That is why I am writing about why you should follow your menstrual cycle.
Why you should follow your menstrual cycle
Before I start explaining why you should follow your menstrual cycle. I think we go talk about the basics first. I am first going to explain all the phases of your cycle.
The menstrual cycle is typically broken down into four phases: the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase, and menstruation.
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Follicular Phase: The follicular phase starts on the first day of menstruation and lasts for around 10-14 days. During this phase, the body prepares to release an egg by producing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries, while LH triggers the dominant follicle to release an egg.
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Ovulation: Ovulation occurs around day 14 of the menstrual cycle. During this phase, the ovary releases a mature egg, which travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. This is the most fertile time of the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy is most likely to occur if intercourse happens around this time.
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Luteal Phase: After ovulation, the body enters the luteal phase, which lasts for around 10-14 days. During this phase, the body produces progesterone, which helps thicken the lining of the uterus in preparation for implantation. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop, and the lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation.
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Menstruation: Menstruation occurs when the lining of the uterus is shed, and blood and tissue are expelled from the body. This usually lasts for 3-7 days and marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle.
So why is it important to follow your menstrual cycle? Here are a few benefits:
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A better understanding of your body: By tracking your menstrual cycle, you can better understand your body and how it works. You can learn to recognize patterns and symptoms, which can help you identify any irregularities or potential health issues. You will not have the same amount of energy every single week. If you track your menstrual cycle, you will find out when you have the most energy and when not. Maybe you find out that in the week before you get your period, you feel tired most of the time. Then it is maybe to rest a little bit more during that week. This can help in planning your activities. Instead of forcing yourself and ignoring your body and what it tells you what you need right now, just go with the flow.
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Improved fertility: If you’re trying to conceive, tracking your menstrual cycle can help you identify your fertile window and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
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Improved mental health: Some people find that tracking their menstrual cycle can help them feel more in control of their bodies and their emotions. It can also help alleviate anxiety and depression related to menstruation. For example. If you have PMS, you might notice a difference in mood in the week before your period comes. If you know that, you can adjust your daily routine to it. Maybe you can slow down a little that week, so you will not feel as stressed. Maybe plan some more self-care activities to make you feel better.
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Improved overall health: Paying attention to your menstrual cycle can also help you identify any changes or irregularities that may indicate a health issue. For example, irregular periods can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid issues, or other health concerns.
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Supports healthy lifestyle choices: Knowing where you are in your menstrual cycle can help you make better lifestyle choices. For example, during the luteal phase, when progesterone levels are high, you may feel more tired or experience mood swings. Understanding these changes can help you make healthier choices around exercise, nutrition, and self-care.
There are many ways to track your menstrual cycle, including using a paper calendar, a period-tracking app, or a wearable device. Whatever method you choose, tracking your menstrual cycle can be a powerful tool for understanding your body and your health.
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash