Your Menstrual Cycle Breakdown
The average menstrual cycle is roughly 28 days, but what medical providers considered a “normal cycle”
spans from 21-35 days. So if you do not have “the average” 28-day cycle, don’t worry. Many articles do an excellent job of scientifically explaining everything that is occurring within your body during your menstrual cycle. But what does this mean in English? How does this impact you every day? And more importantly, can this impact your thoughts and actions? Below is a fundamental hormonal overview, as well as what this means for you.
Note: If your cycle is shorter than 28 days, then condense the timeline accordingly, if it is longer than 28 days then stretch the timeline to fit your cycle.
Day 1-2: Our deepest condolences, as this is the first day of your period. Yes, it is awkwardly timed, but the first day of your period is actually the first day of your cycle.
- Hormonally: During this time, your estrogen is low, and you are likely feeling more fatigued than usual. Uterine contractions are creating cramps, so you may feel more discomfort and bloating than usual.
- What to do:
- Gentle exercise/movement and rest
- If you have cramps, check out our “How to Beat your Cramps like a Pro”article.
Day 4-6: Your period is ending… YAY! This never gets old, and a celebration is always in order.
- Hormonally: Estrogen levels are beginning to rise, which provides you with more energy.
- What to do: Bask in your own glory. Seriously, we bleed on average 5 days every month and live to tell the tale.
Day 7-9: This is your time to shine!
- Hormonally:
- With estrogen up, your skin is glowing, and oddly enough, your face and body are more symmetrical.
- Your progesterone is still low but slowly increasing, which allows you to be on top of your game.
Day 10-13: This is the time in which orgasms are the most intense and obtainable. Your body actually wants you to have sex and makes you extremely social during this time. But this is a trap if you are not trying to conceive.
- Hormonally:
- Your estrogen is at its peak, and you are officially at your most fertile time. This is also generally when you
look your best (nature is tricky like that).
- Your estrogen is at its peak, and you are officially at your most fertile time. This is also generally when you
Day 14: Ovulation station, ugh. During this time, our ovaries have released an egg. If it is not fertilized, our period will follow
about two weeks later.
- Hormonally: We got it all going on during this time. Our Luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone are both at their peak. Estrogen is starting to come down, while testosterone and progestin are beginning to rise.
- What to do: Some are tired, others still feel energized. This can even change for you month-to-month. Just know that you are still fertile and can get pregnant.
Day 15-18: During this time, you can still get pregnant! Be careful for 2 days after ovulation just to be on the safe side.
- Hormonally: You may experience sudden hormonal changes, which can cause intense emotions and fatigue. Your estrogen level is falling off a cliff, and your testosterone is about to go down, all while progesterone is climbing the ladder.
- What to do:
- Just know that these days exists! If you are a little snippy, anxious, or cry over a new ASPCA commercial, there is a hormonal reason for this; give everyone, including yourself some grace.
Day 19-22: The beginning of the end. This is called the luteal phase, and it is not as kind to us.
- Hormonally: Our progesterone is now at its peak, while testosterone continues to climb again. This means excess oil and breakouts and overall skin sensitivity.
- What to do:
- Eat healthy food options and limit your processed sugar intake, which will also help with breakouts.
Day 23-25: These are not our finest moments, but at least we aren’t on our period.
- Hormonally: Our progestin levels are causing bloating, anxiety, and lower libido.
- What to do:
- If you suffer from PMS, give yourself a break. This doesn’t mean to abuse it, but remind yourself that you are more prone to panic attacks, exhaustion, and mood swings during this time. This simple reminder may keep you out of trouble at work and with relationships.
- If you do not suffer from PMS, go live your life and continue to eat healthy with moderate exercise.
Day 26-28: The days before your period begins again.
- Hormonally: Estrogen and progestin are both plummeting, while testosterone slowly increases.
- What to do:
- Eat healthy with limited sugar intake, which can decrease the level of inflammation in your body
- Continue to exercise and stay hydrated! Your period creates additional work on your body, so stay hydrated to prep yourself for that work.
- If you experience breast soreness, limit your caffeine.
- Make sure you have all of your period supplies ready! After all, “winter is coming.”
Congratulations, you made it through your 28-day cycle! Now you are rewarded with your period, and the
process starts over again. *sigh*
Want to learn more about how your hormones impact your cycle:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186