Let’s Talk Hormones

For some reason I wasn’t taught this information until medical school 😜 I remember first seeing a diagram of the hormonal dance that is a menstrual cycle and feeling amazed by the intricate nature of the body. Let’s demystify it, shall we?

Image Credit above and below: Clue App - a seriously epic app to help you understand your menstrual cycles

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Let’s break this cycle down

There are actually two separate cycles going on simultaneously -

the ovarian and uterine cycles

Follicular Phase

This phase of the menstrual cycle is pre-ovulatory and starts at day 1. It includes both the menstrual phase and proliferative phase of the uterine cycle
Variations in the follicular phase are usually responsible for differences in the length of the cycle
A lack of fertilization/implantation decreases hormonal production and triggers menstruation
Day 1 of your period is the first day that you bleed
This shedding happens because hormone levels drop without a fertilized egg being implanted into the uterine lining
While the body is clearing last months uterine lining, the brain is communicating to the ovaries to start the process over. This message is via FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone and LH - Luteinizing Hormone. FSH helps to stimulate the transition of a primordial (immature) follicle into a mature follicle, hence the name follicular phase. The follicle contains an egg that will be released in hopes of fertilization later in the cycle
As the follicle grows, it produces estrogen to prepare the uterine lining (endometrium) for implantation, known as the proliferation phase
An increase in estrogen helps you to feel energized and confident (aka - ready to go out and make a baby)

Ovulation

As estrogen rises, it eventually reaches a threshold where it boosts LH levels via the anterior pituitary gland. It is a surge in LH triggers ovulation.
During ovulation, a sweet lil mature egg is released from its follicle in hopes of fertilization from a lucky swimmer
Leading up to this time of the month, you will notice changes to your cervical mucus. You may notice thin, wet, slippery discharge in your undies

Luteal Phase

The corpus luteum forms after ovulation from the follicle and boosts hormone production. Primarily, there is a drastic increase in progesterone
During the secretory phase of the uterine cycle, progesterone helps to make the uterine lining ideal for implantation by increasing blood vessels and mucus production
Progesterone also increases the temperature of the body via the hypothalamus
If there is no fertilized egg implanted into the uterus, the corpus lute disintegrates and hormone levels drop dramatically (oh hiiiii PMS!)

Say Hello To Your Menstrual Cycle