Have you ever wondered why you feel different on certain days of the month? Why your body changes? Why your mood fluctuates? All these phenomena are closely linked to our menstrual cycle. In this article, we'll uncover the rhythm of the menstrual cycle and explain what happens in each phase.
The phases of your cycle
We divide the female cycle into four main phases: menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase. We explain what happens in each phase and how it affects your body.
menstrual phase – The starting signal for a new cycle
(Days 1-4 of the cycle)
Menstruation marks the beginning of your cycle. Symptoms include abdominal pain, mood swings, and food cravings. With the first day of menstruation, your body begins a new cycle. Due to a lack of the hormone progesterone, the uterine lining begins to shed and is eventually expelled as menstrual blood. PS: Did you know that you lose approximately 50 ml of blood during each period?
Follicular phase – On the way to ovulation
(Days 5-14 of the cycle)
During the follicular phase, your body prepares for the release of an egg. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a crucial role in this phase. This hormone causes a follicle to mature in the ovary, containing an egg cell. Several follicles mature in each cycle, each typically containing one egg cell. One of these follicles, the so-called dominant follicle, eventually gains a significant size advantage, growing to between 2 and 2.5 cm. The remaining follicles regress after ovulation. Simultaneously, estrogen causes the uterine lining, the endometrium, to thicken.
Ovulation phase – When the egg cracks
(Between days 12 and 14 of the cycle)
The ovulation phase is the moment of ovulation. This is triggered by the drop in estrogen levels and the rise in FSH. The dominant follicle then ruptures, releasing the egg, which travels from the ovary into the fallopian tube and is transported by the cilia in the fallopian tube to the uterus.
Luteal phase – Preparation for a possible pregnancy
(Days 15 to 28 of the cycle)
During the luteal phase, your body prepares for a possible pregnancy. The corpus luteum, also known as the yellow body, develops from the outer layer of the egg cell, the former dominant follicle. This produces the hormone progesterone, which leads to the transformation of the uterine lining, a prerequisite for the implantation of a fertilized egg. To ensure the egg has the perfect conditions for fertilization, a "bed" is built for it. This involves increased blood flow to the uterine lining and the formation of supporting tissue structures. Now there are two possibilities for what happens next. Either a fertilized egg has implanted in the uterine lining and you are pregnant, or the corpus luteum regresses and the progesterone level drops – and the entire cycle begins again.
In conclusion, we will summarize the most important points.
The journey of the female cycle is a complex yet understandable process that takes place within us every month.The better we understand it, the better we can support our body and take good care of ourselves in every phase.
Remember to listen to your body's signals and treat it with care. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.
