At Maxim, we want to empower women to feel confident about their bodies. Your hormones and moods fluctuate during your menstrual cycle. You’ll be surprised to know that your menstrual cycle happens everyday throughout the month, not just the period of time when you’re bleeding. A healthy menstrual cycle range is about 25-35 days long. Knowing your body can have you feeling more in control, giving you the knowledge to accommodate your body. Through hormones, your brain and body communicate to guide your menstrual cycle through its phases.
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MENSTRUATION (Day 1 to 5)
During menstruation, more commonly known as your period, the uterine lining begins to shed. Blood and uterine lining is shed from the uterus through the cervix. You’ll typically experience abdominal cramping due to the uterine muscles contracting to release blood.
During your period, estradiol, a hormone men and women produce in their reproductive years and progesterone, a hormone that regulates the uterine lining, are at their lowest. During this time, you may feel less productive and more sluggish.
Cater to your body by resting and practicing self care during menstruation. Don’t push yourself to do everything. Listening to your body during this time is important to nurture your emotional and mental well-being.
FOLLICULAR Phase (Day 6 to 14)
After menstruation, the uterine lining builds back up again. The follicular phase is the time between the first day of the period and ovulation. Estrogen rises as it prepares the pituitary gland to release stimulating hormones, telling the ovaries to release an egg.
During this phase, rising estrogen levels can cause a spike in energy. Making this time of the month you feel the happiest and most optimistic. Women are commonly more relaxed and experience an increased libido preparing for ovulation.
OVULATION (Day 14-16)
Ovulation is the point of the cycle when you’re most fertile. During ovulation, your body is spiked with luteinizing hormone, a hormone that is heavily involved in your reproductive process. According to WebMD, luteinizing hormone is located behind your nose and is the size of a pea. This hormone gives your ovaries the green light to release an egg.
The peak of estrogen may make women feel more energetic than usual, while elevated testosterone levels can have women feeling more outgoing. Use your increased energy to socialize and exercise. If you’re planning to conceive, this phase is the most ideal time to do so. It is when you’re most fertile and won’t occur until next month!
LUTEAL Phase (Day 15-28)
The luteal phase is the period of time after ovulation and before the start of menstruation. During this time, your body is preparing for a possible pregnancy. The egg is released during ovulation and stays in the fallopian tube. If sperm does not impregnate the egg during this time, the egg disintegrates causing menstruation.
Progesterone drops, leaving you feeling fatigued, physically and mentally. This is when PMS symptoms might occur, as it’s almost time for menstruation.
During this time, make sure to get in your nutrients, most importantly magnesium and iron rich foods. Your period will deplete these nutrients, leaving you feeling even more fatigued. According to Healthline, dark chocolate, avocados, nuts, tofu, fish and bananas are high in magnesium. Red meat, quinoa, turkey, broccoli, dark chocolate and fish are high in iron. This makes the luteal phase the perfect time to eat all the dark chocolate you want.
Now that you know your body and your cycle, you can use this information to not only track your period but when you’re most fertile. Introducing these habits during your cycle will not only improve how you feel, but will also help you listen to the power of your body.