The menstrual cycle accompanies women's lives for decades, but often remains poorly understood. Understanding its phases, its effects on the body and mood, allows you to better experience its variations and spot what is out of the ordinary. Simple knowledge, long surrounded by taboos.
1. The main phases of the cycle
The cycle, with an average duration of around 28 days (but variable), is made up of several phases punctuated by hormones. It begins with the period, continues with the follicular phase, ovulation around the middle of the cycle, then the luteal phase before the next period.
| Phase | Landmark | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Rules | Start of cycle | Mucosal Removal |
| Follicular | Before ovulation | Rise of estrogen |
| Ovulation | Middle of the cycle | Release of the egg |
| Rise of progesterone |
2. Effects on the body and mood
Hormonal variations in the cycle can influence energy, mood, sleep, appetite or skin. These fluctuations are normal. In some women, they result in a more marked premenstrual syndrome in the days preceding the period.
3. Track your cycle
Observing your cycle (duration, symptoms, regularity) helps you understand yourself better and anticipate. Many applications allow this, but a simple notebook is enough. This monitoring is useful for identifying irregularities and during consultations.
4. What should alert
Certain signs merit medical advice: very irregular cycles, very heavy or very painful periods, bleeding between periods, unexplained absence of periods. These situations should not be trivialized.
- Very heavy or very painful periods
- Very irregular cycles or absence of periods
- Bleeding outside of periods
Understanding your cycle also means knowing when to consult. A healthcare professional can assess what is out of the ordinary.
💡 tips to remember
- The menstrual cycle lasts on average 28 days but varies a lot: it consists of periods, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.
- Hormonal variations normally influence energy, mood, sleep and skin, sometimes with marked premenstrual syndrome.
- Follow your cycle (duration, symptoms) helps to know yourself better and spot irregularities.
- Very heavy or very painful periods should not be trivialized.
- Very irregular cycles, unexplained absence of periods or bleeding between periods warrant medical advice.
