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MenstrualCycle.
hormones, mood & seasons
What happens inside us from a physical point of view during a whole cycle? How do our moods and energy level change?
Similar to how nature grows, dies and changes during the seasons, it also happens in our inner cycle every month.
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The menstrual cycle has 4 phases and the average cycle is about 28 days (this can vary for different reasons!). We live life through a whole year in one month, so to speak.
Each phase corresponds to a season. Bit crazy, right?
Learning to better understand your inner cycle can help you live a less stressful and happier life. Every phase of the cycle is necessary from every point of view.
We know without spring there is no summer - but what about:
"Without a period there is no new life."
What happens in each phase? Let's take a closer look.
Cycle phase 1 – your period:
your inner winter
approx. cycle day 1-5
The winter in nature
Nature is resting. The trees are bare. It is quiet, cold and clear at the same time. Some animals slumber wrapped up in hibernation with eaten winter fat.
Your hormones
If no pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum dies, causing the hormones progesterone and estrogen in the blood to drop sharply. This triggers the shedding of the uterine lining - your period. If fertilization has taken place, the corpus luteum remains and continues to produce progesterone until the placenta takes over this function around the third month of pregnancy.
Your body signs
Your period starts and you may not feel as powerful as the last 2 weeks, but rather tired/flabby or just not as efficient. You may have menstrual problems such as abdominal cramps, pains or cramps. You may also have back pain, a feeling of tension in the breasts, circulatory problems, headaches, migraines, dizziness or nausea. Or just none of it and you just bleed.
Your mood
There are women who feel such a relief ("Thank god I`m not pregnant."). Some withdraw and don`t feel like talking, socializing or doing big activities. Everything may feel like it's foggy or covered with a blanket. The mood may swing back and forth between tearful, angry, sad, happy, peaceful. Some women feel very very connected to themselves, to everything, to nature and Mother Earth.
Cycle phase 2 – follicular phase:
your inner spring
approx. cycle day 6-11
Spring in nature
Very tender young light green leaves are beginning to sprout. Everything stretches its head toward the sun. Everything wakes up from hibernation and enjoys the rebirth with the first warm rays of sunshine.
Your hormones
The level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) slowly increases, thereby stimulating the growth of follicles in the ovary. They produce oestrogens, excrete them into the blood and allow the uterine lining to grow back.
Your body signs
A few days before ovulation, the amount of mucus produced in the cervix increases. The cervical mucus becomes more liquid, clearer, so that the potential sperm can rise up into the uterus.
Your mood
The increase in estrogen also leaves energy, mood and e.g. increase concentration. Women are more curious, willing to experiment and take risks.
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Your hormones
The large amounts of oestrogen stimulate the pituitary gland to release LH (luteinising hormone). The high LH level causes the surviving follicle to release the mature egg (ovum) into the fallopian tube (ovulation). The egg is now capable of fertilisation for about 24 hours.
Cycle phase 3 – ovulation:
your inner summer
approx. cycle day 12-14
The summer in nature
She is bursting with strength and energy. The plants have grown tall and have many colorful flowers on them. Fireworks for the senses.
Your body signs
You are most fertile now, so your cervical fluid (cervical mucus) is clear, white, thin and stretchy. Some women can feel ovulation as pain on one side of their abdomen. The skin is radiant and the physical energy level is at its highest. The Body is ready to conceive a new life.
Your mood
Good mood, sociable and flirtatious is the mood of this phase. The oestrogen surge reinforces all the positive effects you enjoyed during the last phase. You feel more confident and attractive.
Cycle phase 4 – luteal phase:
your inner autumn
approx. cycle day 15-28
Autumn in nature
Many fruits, vegetables and grains are ripe and are being harvested, also to prepare for the winter. The days are getting shorter, colder, windier and stormier. The leaves turn the most beautiful shades of orange and red until they fall. Nature is slowly retreating.
Your hormones
The follicle that released the egg transforms into the corpus luteum and produces progesterone, causing it to rise and thicken your uterine lining. If you are not pregnant, the corpus luteum dies after about 11 days and oestrogen and progesterone drop sharply. This triggers menstruation in the next phase, when the uterine lining is shed.
Your body signs
The cervical mucus starts to become thicker, more yellow and sticky. Many different PMS signs often appear now. For example, the breasts may be tender and slightly swollen and the abdomen pulls or pains. Acne may form, the back aches and generally the energy level of the body drops towards the end of the phase.
Your mood
This is also where the PMS signs show up in the form of mood swings. Annoyed, irritable, bitchy, aggressive, tearful, sad, anxious, bitter, depressed mood and also very resolute/straight. It's the time when everything can be too much, you "get fed up", quit or let go of something.
Observing your body and mood is a great way to identify monthly patterns in your body and mind - this way, it becomes easier to deal with because you know what to expect. This makes it much easier and better to prepare for the cycle phases and live with the cycle instead of being at its mercy!
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Please note, that the days specified here for each phase on a 28 day cycle based and from woman to woman and vary from month to month.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek a doctor's advice if you have questions about a medical condition. Never hesitate to seek professional medical advice.