This might be an unusual opinion, but y’all. Periods are SO cool. Menstruation is a sign of fertility, and fertility is truly a superpower (whether you are currently procreating or not). But have you ever wondered EXACTLY what was happening in there and why? I don’t know about you, but the video shown during my middle school sex-ed left some gaping holes! The amazing thing is, once you know the natural rise and fall of your hormonal cycle, you can totally HACK your diet and lifestyle to go with your natural flow (no pun intended) rather than against it.

QUICK QUIZ:

Ovulation begins in the:
a. uterus c. brain
b. ovary d. Fallopian tubes
Your cycle should be _____ days long
a. 25 c. the length doesn’t matter
b. 28 d. 7

True or False: You can get pregnant at any point during your cycle.

How did you do?? Keep reading for the answers!

Here is the lowdown:

Ovulation actually begins in the BRAIN, your entire cycle should be about 28 days long, and you can only get pregnant a few days of your cycle. How did you do?? Any surprises? Read on for more on your fertility superpower…

So a typical cycle lasts about 28 days, but anywhere from 26 to 36 days can be considered normal.

Your cycle is split into two halves- the FOLLICULAR PHASE and the LUTEAL PHASE.

FOLLICULAR PHASE: Day 1-14 (ish)

Hormone in charge: Estrogen

DAY 1 is the first day of your period

What’s going on outside: bleeding or spotting

What’s going on inside: your hormone levels (primarily estrogen and progesterone) DROP in the days leading up to your period, which signals the uterus to shed its lining. The blood that you see is actually the lining of your uterus that is being shed!

DAY 2-7 is your period. Your hormone levels are low, which can make you feel tired or even a bit depressed.

DAY 8-14 your estrogen starts to rise to prepare for ovulation.

What’s going on outside: energy increases and mood improves; sex drive tends to be the highest during this time.

What’s going on inside: Rising estrogen levels tells the pituitary gland (in the brain) to release a hormone called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). This hormone starts talking to the follicle in the ovary and tells it to get that egg ready to drop. The rising estrogen also tells the uterus to prepare for the arrival of an egg by thickening the lining.

DAY 14- Ovulation occurs- the egg is released

What’s going on outside: If you’re tracking your body temperature you should notice a spike around this time. Body temperature increases and you may still notice a higher sex drive.

What’s going on inside: the rising estrogen in your body tells the good ol’ pituitary gland (in the brain) to release another hormone- LH (lutenizing hormone). If you have ever taken at-home ovulation tests, this is the hormone it is measuring. LH tells the ovaries to release an egg, which passes through the fallopian tubes into the uterus. Maybe it gets fertilized this month (hello, baby!), or maybe it doesn’t, either way the releasing of the egg is what we call ovulation. The 3-5 days around ovulation is the only window of your cycle that you can get pregnant.

Luteal Phase: Days 15-28

Hormone in charge: progesterone

Day 15 + on:

After ovulation, the follicle where the egg was released becomes a sort of mini-organ called the Corpus Luteum, which releases progesterone. That rising progesterone is necessary for pregnancy- your body is preparing JUST IN CASE (wink wink). These two weeks of your cycle mark gradually rising hormones, setting the stage for the (maybe) fertilized egg to have a healthy start. If there is no sign of pregnancy, your hormone levels drop, which signals the uterus to shed the egg and its lining and BAM- we are back at day 1- your period. And so the cycle continues!

That’s how things should go when your system is running smoothly! If there are disruptions in our hormones, however, (such as hormonal imbalances, stress, toxic exposure, lack of sleep, nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar imbalances...) our fertility is one of the first things to be affected or even put on pause!

Hormones run this show, and nutrition and lifestyle can make a HUGE difference in hormonal health. Now that you know what is happening, make sure your period products aren’t sabotaging your health- read up on Tampons + Toxins.

Is your cycle out of wack? Are you experiencing severe symptoms around your period? Comment below!

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Quiz: How well do you know your cycle?