How You Feel at Different Stages of Your Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle is not just about bleeding once a month. It is a complex and dynamic process that involves changes in your hormones, your body, and your mood. Understanding how you feel at different stages of your menstrual cycle can help you plan your activities, cope with emotions, and take care of your health. This post is for you if you are trying to understand and manage why you have periods of high emotions, high pain, specific moments of brain fog and other symptoms.

For me, understanding my menstrual cycle has been vital when learning how to become pain-free with endometriosis, balancing my hormones after having a baby, dealing with acne, and starting a weight loss journey. This is why it is important to understand how you feel at different stages of your menstrual cycle.

I can hear my mom in the back of my head saying, “There is a time and place for everything.” And as a woman that has to pay close attention to my cycle to stay balanced, this statement remains the truth! When looking to make life changes, there are times during your cycle that can make it easy with amazing clarity and balance. And then, there are other times, that your body is too busy working to tackle new challenges or start a new journey.

I hope this blog post will help you understand your cycle more and give you the space and grace to tackle life in a meaningful way that helps you reach your goals.

The Four Phases of Your Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle can be divided into four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. Each phase has its own characteristics and effects on how you feel physically and emotionally.

Menses Phase

The (menstrual) menses phase is when you have your period. It usually lasts from 3 to 7 days, depending on your cycle length and flow. During this phase, your uterus sheds its lining (endometrium) through your vagina, along with blood, mucus, and tissue. This happens because the egg that was released in the previous cycle was not fertilized by a sperm, and the levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones drop.

How You Feel During Your Menstrual Phase

During this phase, you may experience cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue, mood swings, irritability, sadness, or anxiety. These are common premenstrual symptoms (PMS) that are caused by hormonal fluctuations and inflammation. Some people may also have trouble sleeping, concentrating, or remembering things.

During this phase of your cycle, it is important to practice radical self-care if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Is menstrual pain normal?

Menstrual pain is common. However, it is not normal. If you find yourself experiencing constant discomfort during this time, your body may be trying to send you a message. Take the time to get your blood tested and ensure you don’t have any deficiencies that need to be balanced.

If your symptoms require taking more than 3 pain pills and/or effects your daily activities, it is time to talk to your doctor about what is causing your pain.

What you can do during your menstrual phase:

To ease your discomfort and improve your mood during your menstrual phase, you can try some natural remedies such as:

• Taking supplements that aid with inflammation
• Applying heat to your lower abdomen or back
• Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas
• Eating foods rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, salt, and sugar
• Exercising moderately
• Practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises
• Getting enough rest and sleep
• Seeking support from your friends, family, or therapist
• Avoid stressful situations
• Catch up on rest
• Taking a bath with epsom salt

For a full list of ideas to tackle menstrual pain, read:

• 50 Natural Remedies for Period Cramps
• 7 Herbs for Menstrual Pain
• How to Increase Progesterone Naturally
• Does Burdock Root Help with Periods?
• Chlorophyll Water Recipe for Inflammation

Follicular Phase

This is the phase of overlap. The follicular phase starts during your period phase, and ends when you began your ovulation phase. It can last from 11 to 27 days, depending on your cycle length and when you ovulate. During this phase, your pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates your ovaries to produce several follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg. Only one of these eggs will mature and be released at ovulation. The maturing follicle also produces estrogen, which thickens the lining of your uterus to prepare for a possible pregnancy.

How you feel during your Menstrual Phase: Follicular

As estrogen levels rise during this phase, you may feel more energetic, confident, creative, and sociable. You may also have a higher libido and a clearer complexion. Your cervical mucus becomes thinner and stretchier to help sperm reach the egg.

What you can do during your Follicular Phase:

This is the time to make things happen! You may feel like the best version of yourself. If you want to go to the moon, this is the time to make a plan.

• Plan or start new projects that require mental or physical effort
• Pursue your personal or professional goals
• Learn new skills or hobbies
• Socialize with friends or meet new people
• Have sex for pleasure or conception
• Track your ovulation signs such as basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus, or ovulation tests

Ovulation Phase

The ovulation phase is when your ovary releases a mature egg. It usually occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, but it can vary from person to person and cycle to cycle. Ovulation is triggered by a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is released by your pituitary gland. The egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus, where it can be fertilized by a sperm within 12 to 24 hours. This is the most fertile time of your cycle.

How you feel during your Menstrual phase: Ovulation

During ovulation, you may feel a slight pain or twinge in one side of your lower abdomen. You may also notice an increase in cervical mucus that is clear and slippery like raw egg white. Your basal body temperature (BBT) may rise slightly after ovulation. You may also feel more attractive, flirtatious, and adventurous. Your senses may be heightened, and your orgasms may be more intense.

What you can do during your ovulation phase:

The ovulation phase is a special time if you are looking to conceive. If this isn’t the time, this phase in time is important to develop some consistency with new things started in your follicular phase. you can:

• Have sex if you want to get pregnant or use contraception if you don’t
• Be consistent with the habits and projects your started in your follicular stage
• Try something new or exciting
• Express your emotions and creativity
• Appreciate your beauty and femininity

Luteal Phase

I all this phase “the tea”! Because, if this was a conversation with my girlfriend it would be full of ups and downs, and twist and turns. Sometimes you don’t know what to expect during the luteal phase. It starts after ovulation and ends before your next period. It lasts for about 14 days, regardless of your cycle length. During this phase, the empty follicle that released the egg becomes a corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. This hormone maintains the lining of your uterus and prepares your body for pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum shrinks and stops producing progesterone. This causes the lining of your uterus to break down and shed, leading to your next period.

How you feel during the Menstrual phase: Luteal

As your progesterone levels rise during this phase, you may feel more calm, relaxed, and nurturing. Your body is expecting to prepare for a pregnancy in the beginning. You may also have a lower libido and a higher appetite. Your cervical mucus becomes thicker and creamier to prevent infection. Your BBT remains elevated until your period starts. However, as your progesterone levels drop in the second half of this phase, you may experience PMS symptoms such as:

• Bloating
• Breast swelling or soreness
• Mood changes
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Changes in sexual desire
• Food cravings
• Trouble sleeping
• Sadness, crying, or irritability

Some people may also have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a severe form of PMS that affects their mental health and daily functioning. This could be a sign that something else may be a factor of your pain and discomfort. Take the time to talk to your doctor about your symptoms to see if endometriosis or another disorder may be causing extreme symptoms.

What you can do during the luteal phase:

This is a phase full of hormonal and emotional roller coasters. During this time, it is important to:

• Eat a balanced diet that includes complex carbohydrates, lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber
• Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol, salt, and sugar
• Exercise moderately to boost your mood and reduce stress
• Practice self-care activities such as reading, listening to music, or taking a bath
• Be gentle and compassionate with yourself and others
• Seek help from your doctor if you have severe PMS or PMDD symptoms

Be gentle with yourself!

Your menstrual cycle is a natural and powerful process that affects how you feel throughout the month. By knowing the four phases of your menstrual cycle and how they influence your body and mind, you can better understand yourself and your needs. You can also use this knowledge to plan your activities, manage your emotions, and take care of your health. Remember that every person is different and that your cycle may change over time due to various factors such as age, stress, illness, medication, or lifestyle. Therefore, it is important to track your cycle and listen to your body’s signals.