After 30 years of living and it wasn't until a few months ago that I actually understood the basics of my cycle. My mom never thought to explain it to me in full because she thought I was never going to have children. Now that my husband and I are trying to conceive, I've suddenly gotten a complete crash course in a women's natural cycle. Here's what shocked me the most:
For years I thought my 'menstrual cycle' was just my monthly period that lasted 4-5 days and then it would be another month before my menstrual cycle started again. No, not at all. Your menstrual cycle is your whole life! Your period or menstrual bleeding is just one phase that makes up your whole menstrual cycle.
All cycle lengths vary but healthy cycles last between 21-35 days although it seems the average amount of time is 28 days. Going back through my period tracker calendar my average is between 27-31 days. The best way to track your average cycle is to go back 3-4 months and start counting the days from when your period starts and then ending when your next period begins. That's one complete monthly cycle. Each month you count should have the similar number of days, but it's natural to be off by a few days.
Using these pictures from my tracker, the days in red are my menstrual bleeding. My monthly cycle in May started on May 7th and then ended on June 2nd. My cycle in June then begins on June 3rd. The differently colored days in between the two menstrual bleeding dates are the following phases of my menstrual cycle.
Menstruation (May 7th-11th):
Release of the uterine lining or the Endometrium when the egg from ovulation is not fertilized. This leads into menstrual bleeding which lasts roughly a week. Your body goes through a time of sickness that includes cramping, headaches, low energy, anemia and temperamental changes that can range from withdrawn to aggressive.
Follicular phase (May 12th-18th): This phase acts as both a recovery from menstruation and preparation for ovulation. Most likely you are going to have a tremendous amount of energy during this time! Your bleeding is done, and your body is restored, healthy and getting excited for ovulation. The uterine lining which will nourish the potential embryo is coming into form as well.
Ovulation (May 18th-May 23rd): The egg is released and is waiting to be fertilized by the male sperm. This is when your sex drive is going to be at your highest. Ovulation lasts for roughly six days, but there are about three days when body is going to be at its peak fertilization perfection. If you look up at May, the days of the 18th, 19th, 20th were the highest fertilization levels for my body and the best days for baby making.
Luteal phase (May 23rd-June 2nd):
This is the waiting phase where there can be two outcomes, the egg was fertilized which will result in pregnancy and no menstrual bleeding in the upcoming month. Or the egg wasn't fertilized, in which case the endometrium lining will tear from the body and the next cycle begins. And that above is one complete menstrual cycle. I would have loved if someone had sat me down as a teenager and explained all this to me. Instead of having me wait clear into my 30s to figure this all out! It is fascinating and confusing and even beautiful all at once. A women's body never stops, it's constant, ever moving with a goal, a vision, a purpose.
