The phases of the menstrual cycle: Here's how you can recognize them

Have you ever looked into the different phases of your menstrual cycle? Maybe you already know a little about the different phases in your menstrual cycle, but you’re not quite sure? Regardless of whether you want to use natural contraception or want to have children: It’s important that you understand your own menstrual cycle and know the different phases. I’ll explain to you how it all works and which hormones are behind it.

The period

The female cycle always begins on the first day of your period. This is the day on which you actually start bleeding heavily as usual. Some of us have spotting before our period starts. These days are still part of the previous cycle. During the entire period, you will probably lose between 60 and 80 milliliters of blood.

Before ovulation: the follicular phase

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, several follicles with the eggs inside them mature under the influence of the control hormone FSH. Only the most developed follicle bursts and releases its egg, while the others perish.

A hormone is produced in the wall of the growing follicles: estrogen. The larger the follicles become in this phase of the cycle, the more estrogen is produced and released into the bloodstream. This means that the closer ovulation comes, the higher the estrogen level in your blood rises. This estrogen level, which is greatly increased over a longer period of time, is the decisive signal for the pituitary gland to release more of the hormone LH: This in turn triggers ovulation – an important point in your menstrual cycle.

On the way to ovulation: the hormone estrogen

What role does the hormone estrogen play in your cycle? Estrogen circulating in the bloodstream has two main effects on the uterus:

1. The uterine lining, which was shed at the beginning of the cycle during the previous menstrual bleeding, is rebuilt.
2. The more estrogen the follicles produce, the more your cervical mucus changes. It becomes thinner and increases significantly in volume.

The cervical mucus now flows down the vaginal walls to the vaginal entrance. You can feel it externally here. It signals that the ovary is preparing for ovulation.

After ovulation: the luteal phase

After ovulation, the follicle collapses and transforms into a gland called the corpus luteum because of its color. In addition to estrogen, the corpus luteum produces the hormone progesterone.

Progesterone – the hormone of the second half of the cycle and the last phase of the cycle

The hormone progesterone has the following effects during the cycle, among others: It prepares the built-up uterine lining for possible implantation of the fertilized egg.

Your cervical mucus becomes viscous, less and seals the cervical canal like a plug. It no longer runs down the vagina and you can therefore no longer feel it at the entrance to the vagina.

The body temperature rises by a few tenths of a degree Celsius and remains elevated until the end of the cycle (temperature peak). This temperature peak indicates that the fertile period is now over and ovulation can no longer take place until the end of the cycle.

If fertilization has not occurred, the corpus luteum disintegrates 12 to 16 days after ovulation and the production of progesterone and estrogen decreases. This causes the temperature to drop again (temperature trough) and your body sheds the built-up uterine lining during the next menstrual period. A new cycle begins.

If you want to get to know your cycle better, download the ovolution app now and enter your observations. You can find it in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and you can try it out for free.