Every Day of Your Menstrual Cycle — Explained
Every 28 days a female goes through a crazy and wonderful cycle, making them anything between more flirty to having a faster metabolism. The menstrual cycle is a beautiful process, depicting a stronger message behind what it means to be a womxn. But most of the time, women don’t even know that there is more to their menstrual cycle than just their period.
So, what even is a menstrual cycle?
Simply put, the menstrual cycle is a 28-day cycle of the female reproductive system. During the cycle, a female’s ovaries will create a mature egg and prepare for pregnancy by thickening the lining of the uterus. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining will break down and shed, causing your period.
Days 1–10: The Follicular Phase:
Everything starts with your period. During the follicular phase, your body prepares to release an egg. The hypothalamus (a part of your brain) sends a message to your pituitary glands to release FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). FSH helps stimulate the growth of eggs in the ovaries and maintain your cycle. Once this follicle is released, the hormone can produce anywhere from 5–20 immature eggs, each stored in a small sack known as a follicle.
Out of the 5–20 immature eggs produced, only one will become mature, and the rest of the follicles will absorb back into your body. Now that the single egg is matured, the uterus is signaled, setting off a “surge” of estrogen, the hormone known for increasing serotonin, that then thickens the lining of the uterus.
Day 1: Since the mature egg is not fertilized, the thick lining in the uterus breaks down and sheds. This is what causes your period. Expect hormone levels to plunge, and estrogen is at an all-time low (you might feel sad/upset/angry, but that’s ok!).
Day 2: This is the second day of your period — usually the heaviest. Expect cramps accompanying the bleeding, and small, red blood clots. Your estrogen levels slowly increase.
Day 3: Generally the last day of heavy bleeding on your period. Your vaginal pH increases, so it’s a good idea to be hygienic (change your pads & tampons often!) to prevent infections.
Day 4: Your period flow starts to lighten up, cramps are less painful, and estrogen levels are climbing. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Day 5: Your period is almost done (or it may even be done at this point)! There might be spotting, so it’s a good idea to wear a panty liner.
Day 6: Same deal. It may be done, it may not. It depends on your cycle, and it is completely OK if you have a period that lasts more than 5–6 days.
Day 7: Yay! Your period is over (or very close to). Your energy levels rise, and so does estrogen. High levels of estrogen make you feel friendly, confident, and driven. At the same time, your body prepares for next month, when the whole cycle starts over again. A few follicles with immature eggs begin growing.
Day 8: More follicles continue to grow, and as follicles grow, so does estrogen. Your skin glows, your voice is butter, you are flirty, you are confident.
Day 9: The single maturing follicle continues to grow as the rest of the follicles absorb back into your body. The uterus lines itself with the extra estrogen, ready for a potential fertilized egg.
Day 10: ESTROGEN LEVELS ARE OFF. THE. CHARTS. You are happy, beautiful, glowing, and motivated. Go crazy, but don’t drive everyone else too crazy ;)
Days 11–14: The Ovulation Phase:
As your estrogen levels rapidly increase, your pituitary gland releases LH (luteinizing hormone). LH triggers the release of a mature egg from the ovaries, a process known as ovulation. Ovulation happens right around the middle of your menstrual cycle. Once released, the egg travels down to the fallopian tubes, where it waits to be fertilized. Usually, when you’re ovulating, there should be a slight rise in body temperature as well as thicker discharge (think ~egg whites~).
Day 11: If you’re trying to conceive, today and the next few days are the best days to do it.
Day 12: Fertility levels are high because of increased estrogen levels. Your cervical mucus (AKA discharge) is flowing and your main fallopian tube is ready to release a mature egg. Libido is at an all-time high, which is basically the universe’s way of telling you that now is a good time to conceive. You are probably feeling very flirty ;)
Day 13: Estrogen levels are at their peak, and your body is almost ready for ovulation.
Day 14: Hellooo ovulation! The egg is released from the follicle, potentially causing spotting or small pains, which is all completely normal. The mature egg will live up to 24 hours. Libido is extra high, making you more adventurous & impulsive.
Days 15–28: The Luteal Phase:
Once the follicle releases its egg, it changes into the corpus luteum, a gland essential for conception/pregnancy to occur. It also releases progesterone and estrogen, keeping your uterus’ lining thick and ready for a fertilized egg. If you don’t become pregnant, the corpus luteum will shrink and absorb back into your body. The thick uterus lining will shed during your period.
Day 15: The egg begins its journey down the fallopian tube. Estrogen levels sink a touch, and progesterone (a hormone that helps you regulate your cycle and thicken the uterus lining) levels slowly increase.
Day 16: “The egg, ever hopeful, is still hanging out in the tube waiting for Prince Sperm.” -Lauren Streicher, M.D. I couldn’t have summed it up better. Your body temperature might be a little higher than usual.
Day 17: The uterus lining thickens, and if conception doesn’t occur, the egg will die. Estrogen levels lower, progesterone skyrockets.
Day 18: Progesterone continues to increase, and estrogen increases once more. An increased combination of estrogen and progesterone often leads to breast tenderness.
Day 19: An increased combination of estrogen and progesterone leads to an increased blood flow towards your breasts, causing them to be fuller and more sensitive.
Day 20: If the egg hasn’t been fertilized, your body will slowly stop producing higher levels of estrogen. PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) symptoms will start to show up, so you may start feeling more bloated and moody.
Day 21: If you want to get pregnant, now would be the perfect opportunity to check if you’ve ovulated! If not, sit back, because these next few days are going to be a heck of a ride.
Day 22: Progesterone levels are at their peak, making you more likely to fall asleep. You’ll likely experience more PMS symptoms, like anger, sadness, mood swings, and irritability, just to name a few.
Day 23: Hellooo PMS! Since progesterone levels are high, your skin swells (due to an increased sebum production), and your pores look small. In reality, the swelling is compressing the pores and actually causing sebum to build up underneath your skin.
Day 24: Your body is more susceptible to pain now than other times in your cycle, so it’s a good idea to not wax, tweeze, or do anything that causes pain. Ouch!
Day 25: Because of all the hormonal changes, our bodies store more water, and major bloating will occur around this time. PMS is at its peak, meaning lots of moodiness, sadness, cramps, and other symptoms.
Day 26: Around this time, your body burns 11% more calories than any other phase during the month. Go to the gym! Lift weights! Work hard.
Day 27: Estrogen (and therefore serotonin) levels are declining, and you crave more carbohydrates (that can serotonin). At the same time, your body’s metabolism is working faster and you burn more calories.
Day 28: A few women experience menstrual cramps a few days before their period, and your body produces prostaglandins, which make your uterus contract. And as a result of the sebum buildup, you are acne-prone. Pores are large again, estrogen & progesterone are low, testosterone is high. And when you wake up tomorrow, the whole cycle starts over again:)
What’s Next?
Now that you know exactly how the menstrual cycle works, use the different phases to your advantage. During your period, indulge in yourself and relax. During the Ovulation Phase, when estrogen levels are high, try to schedule more social events and do more studying. And finally, during the Luteal Phase, put the extra effort into your workout and take extra care of your skin.
It’s important to remember that every single cycle is different for every single female. Your period may last more or less than 5 days, and that’s OK. You may ovulate earlier or later, and that’s OK. You may feel the heat of the PMS symptoms, or you may feel nothing, and that’s completely OK. Regardless, every single female deserves to know how their body works and deserves to be able to make the most of it!
