Your menstrual cycle is something that accompanies you for a significant part of your adult life. Just like with finances, you've probably received little education on the subject. Even though they are very different topics, in the end , ignorance condemns us in both cases to a lesser version of ourselves.
As the great Marian Rojas says, understanding is relieving. Being able to understand the stages of your menstrual cycle and how it affects your mood and concentration, among other things, is essential for any woman. In this post, I'll explain the phases that make up the cycle and what characterizes each of these stages so you can better adapt your routine.
Your menstrual cycle is not a sentence
Laura Balletbo
The phases of your menstrual cycle
Despite the star phase being the menstruation or bleeding stage, the menstrual cycle consists of 4 phases. It's vital to know them because your energy, motivation, and mood are modified during these phases.
1. Menstrual phase. When you bleed. It's the easiest to determine when it starts and when it ends.
2. Follicular phase. The maturation of eggs in the ovaries occurs during this phase.
3. Ovulatory phase. The ovary releases an egg, creating a specific hormonal context.
4. Premenstrual phase. The time that passes between ovulation and menstruation. The ugly duckling of the family.
Regarding these phases, I recommend this interview from Xuan Lan's channel about menstrual health. Laura Balletbo is an expert on the topic and explains everything I'm going to tell you wonderfully.
Myths to discard
Throughout history, and even today, some myths have been perpetuated that need to be rooted out:
- Menstruation is supposed to hurt. Your period should not hurt. If it does, something is not in the right balance, causing inflammation, bloating, etc.
- The menstrual cycle lasts 28 days. The duration of the period is not a mathematical certainty. Each woman has a specific cycle duration. Whether it's shorter or longer, it's not a symbol of better or worse menstrual health.
The cycle is part of being a woman. Going through it physically and emotionally is not.
Laura Balletbo
Adapt your agenda to your cycle
To be able to better adapt and plan your schedule according to your cycle, you must know what stages it consists of and what activities align with each phase:
– The follicular phase is the beginning of the cycle. You have a lot of energy and high motivation. You feel good and ready for anything. It's a good time to start new projects and set intentions, like a moment of sowing.
– The ovulatory phaseThe brain areas that are more verbal are more active during this stage. You feel like socializing. The hormonal climate is favorable, making it an ideal time for interviews or important meetings. You're magnetic and attractive.
– The premenstrual phase. Energy changes, and you have moments of deeper introspection. It's ideal to use this phase to take care of yourself. The hormonal profile during this stage encourages you to stay at home and spend more time alone. In this phase, you prefer a slower pace.
– The menstrual phase. In this phase of the cycle, introspection continues, and your body asks you to slow down even more. It's a great time for meditation; you'll find it easier to reach deeper relaxation states. You're more open to analysis and reflection, with an enhanced connection between the two brain hemispheres.
The last two phases of the cycle, premenstrual and menstrual, are ideal for self-care. Your body needs it and asks for it, both in terms of nutrition and emotionally and in terms of rest.
Choose sustainability
Now that you know your cycle and can adapt to it, it's time to choose sustainability when dealing with it.
Precisely because you'll have an average of about 450 menstrual cycles throughout your life, with their corresponding bleeding phases, it's important to choose how to interact with these cycles wisely and leave few negative marks on yourself. And not only on yourself but also on the planet. To minimize waste during your period, I recommend my great discovery of recent years: the menstrual cup.
Saying that I'm in love is an understatement. It has eliminated the need for pads and tampons. The cup doesn't contain anticoagulants and doesn't cause the natural lubrication loss that tampons can. It has a lifespan of, wait for it, 10 years! It can be worn for up to 12 hours and is neither uncomfortable nor painful. I use the Enna cup, size M.
Learning how to properly insert and remove it can be a bit challenging at first, I won't lie. But once you've mastered the technique, it will be one of the best things that has happened to you, believe me.
See you soon and happy reading!
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