The 4 phases of our menstrual cycle
🩸 Menstruation (Days 1-5) - the phase where we bleed; this is when the uterus sheds its lining due to drop in hormone levels, resulting in bleeding for 3-5 days.
🌱 Follicular phase (Days 6-14)- This is when the body prepares for ovulation by producing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the growth of a follicle in the ovary. As the follicle grows, it produces estrogen, which thickens the uterine lining. Ovulation typically occurs around Day 14.
🐣 Ovulation (Day 14)- This is when the mature follicle releases an egg into the fallopian tube. The surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation. This phase is usually the most fertile time of the menstrual cycle.
😴 Luteal phase (Days 15-28) - This is when the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to thicken the uterine lining and prepare it for possible implantation of a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, hormone levels drop, and the uterine lining sheds during the next menstrual phase.
I believe it’s so important we know our menstrual cycle phases and get in tune with our own bodies.
This way we can identify what’s normal for us and what is not.
With this post, I want to give you a little general idea of the four phases so we can discuss all about normal menstruation and menstrual disorders in the next posts.
