Often, when hearing about the menstrual cycle, immediately the mind goes to intense period cramps, chocolate cravings, and shark week. Well, what if I told you that the menstrual cycle is not even the focal point, but instead the aftermath of dozens of hormones working in a symphony to prepare the body for ovulation and the receiving of a fertilized egg?
Would this change your perspective on how crummy periods are? Because, the fact of the matter is that periods do not have to be crummy. In fact, the menstrual cycle is a fundamental piece in the ornate puzzle of women’s health.
Menstrual cycles are not supposed to be symptomatic. If you experience intense periods, this is probably due to an underlying hormonal issue or health concern. Do not despair though, these things are fixable! Please send look here if you want more information on where to begin.
Today, we are going to take a look at the entire menstrual cycle from beginning to end. We will begin with the menstrual activity, then follicular activity, ovulation, and then the luteal phase.
Menstrual Cycle: Reproductive Hormones
Before understanding the menstrual cycle, it is first important to understand the different hormones at play. While there are various other hormones at play, I will focus on 4 of the main ones in order to simplify things. Hormones are what make the body harmonious in its functions. In regards to reproductive health, they keep reproductive communications running properly so that the different hormones can all work together to ensure the body is prepared for pregnancy.
The hormones are:
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Estrogen
Progesterone
These different hormones act as messengers in the body, carrying information to different organs, which is then carried out in specific actions.
FSH and LH are both produced in the brain, and communicate with the ovaries, which produce estrogen and progesterone.
Menstrual Cycle: Menstruation
Day 1 of the menstrual cycle begins with the Menstrual Phase. This occurs due to an egg not being fertilized and implantation inside of the uterus. As the uterus has been preparing for the implantation of a fertilized egg, its endometrial lining is far thicker than it needs to be when it is not supporting an extra life.
Thus, a woman’s period begins as her progesterone levels drop due to the lack of pregnancy. As progesterone levels fall, the lining of the uterine wall sheds.
A healthy Menstrual Phase will last 3-7 days. If a menstrual cycle is regularly out of this range, it could be pointing towards a greater hormonal imbalance at play. One of the days during menstruation should be considered medium or heavy in order to indicate a healthy cycle as well.
As mentioned above, a period should not be as uncomfortable as many women experience.
When a woman experiences extreme period symptoms, such as large amounts of acne, painful cramps, loose stools, extreme mood swings, etc. this can be indicative of a deeper hormonal issue at work.
I again want to stress that this is absolutely fixable. Please check here for more information on this.
Menstrual Cycle: Follicular Activity
The cycle can be broken up into two phases: the follicular phase, and the luteal phase. The follicular phase takes up the first half of a woman’s cycle, and involves increased levels of follicular activity.
Follicular activity can overlap can with your period, especially if a cycle is on the shorter end.
Basically what happens is that follicular stimulation kicks off when the brain sends the hormone FSH as a signal down to the ovaries.
This stimulates a certain number of immature eggs residing in the ovary to begin growing.
One of these eggs, which is inside of a follicle, will become dominant and continue to grow until maturation. This follicle produces estrogen.
As estrogen increases, so does fertility.
While estrogen is being released by this growing follicle, the uterine lining is stimulated to thicken in preparation for pregnancy.
This also causes cervical mucus to be produced so that sperm can travel more easily. You can read more about the purpose of cervical mucus here.
When estrogen is at its height, it sends a signal to the brain, which signals the follicle to release the egg from the ovary. On average, this process takes about 16 days.
Menstrual Cycle: Ovulation
This phase kicks off when the hormone LH signals for the release of an egg from the ovaries.
This is called ovulation.
A mature egg is released and travels the length of the fallopian tube.
This is a very fertile time in the cycle.
Without fertilization, the egg will live between 12 and 24 hours before dissipating. If the egg is fertilized, it will travel down the fallopian tube until it reaches the uterus, where it will implant in the uterine wall.
Menstrual Cycle: Luteal Phase
The luteal phase is what follows ovulation in the menstrual cycle. It is the time when estrogen levels have fallen and progesterone levels are on the rise, due to the follicle that released the egg:
Upon releasing an egg, the follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone in order to further prepare the body for receiving a fertilized egg in implantation.
A healthy luteal phase will last between 9 and 18 days in length.
If pregnancy is not achieved, then progesterone levels will begin to fall, causing the shedding of the uterine lining.
This is what a period, or menses, is.
The cycle count begins again at Day 1 at the start of a woman’s period.
A healthy cycle will be between 24-36 days.
If a cycle is shorter or longer than this, then it could mean that there is an underlying hormonal issue that can most likely be resolved through lifestyle and nutrition changes.
Menstrual Cycle: Recap
The menstrual, or ovulation cycle, is driven by various hormones which work together in harmony to reach ovulation.
Ovulation is the main event of pregnancy.
The cycle can really be broken up into two separate components with the Follicular and Luteal Phase. Menstruation and Ovulation separate the two phases.
The menstrual cycle is an intricate and amazing process which contributes to the overall health of a woman’s body.
Cycles that are outside of the range of normal may be pointing towards other issues. Send me a message here if you would like to find out more about how to read you cycle and know what is going on inside of your body.
Want to learn more about how to take charge of your cycle? Check out this post:
Fertility Awareness Method: The Complete Guide with 4 Biomarkers
Want to listen to a great podcast episode that dives even deeper into the menstrual cycle?
Check out Menstrual Cycle 101 with Meg Langston.
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