When I first started learning about my cycle, it was hard to remember all of the different types of hormones and what fluids came out of my body at what times. Your cycle is so intricate – your hormones fluctuate, along with your mood, energy levels, and required food intake. I’ve been tracking my cycle for about four years now, so it’s become a lot easier. But it sure didn’t start out that way. Recently, as part of my ‘read one book a month’ New Year’s resolution, I’ve had the pleasure of learning about the Law of Rhythm through Jordanna Levin’s Make It Happen. An example of this law is a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) teaches that within this menstrual cycle, there are internal seasons that help us to recognise how our yin and yang energy will change throughout the month. Each month, we will go through four distinct phases (outlined below). With each phase comes a new wave of hormones, and the emotional and physical changes that this brings. The four seasons we experience in nature are reflected in each phase of our cycle. Understanding our bodies and how they work can be so powerful. So, for your knowledge, here are the four phases (and seasons) of our menstrual cycle.
Menstrual phase – winter
Menstruation is the most yin part of our cycle. It’s a time to release, rest, slow down, and turn inward. At the beginning of our bleed, we experience low levels of both estrogen and progesterone, so it’s normal to feel our energy levels drop. This is the best time to go easy on the exercise (light intensity like walking or yoga is great) and eat lots of nourishing food. If you find that you experience a lot of discomfort during the first day or so of your period, try drinking raspberry leaf tea every day, starting a week before your bleed (if you can). I found this helped me so much with alleviating cramping.
Follicular phase – spring
The follicular phase comes right after menstruation has ceased. Our body starts focusing on nurturing a new egg and its follicle, so follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and estrogen increase. The lining of your uterus is also being built up again. In this phase, we will feel motivated and start to regain our energy. It’s a creative, social, and productive time. The hormone surge increases your mood, libido, and levels of serotonin. You feel the same way you do when winter melts away and turns to spring.
Ovulatory phase – summer
Ovulation is the star of the show and the most yang. Your body experiences a surge of LH and the egg is released in the hopes of being fertilised. This is also when progesterone starts being made. The easiest way to tell whether you’ve ovulated is that you’ll experience a rise in basal body temperature (about 0.3˚C) and you’ll start to produce cervical mucous that resembles clear, raw egg whites. The ovulatory phase is a time for collaborating and creating with others, and one that’s full of energy. A perfect time for smashing a cardio or weights session. You will find yourself feeling more confident and sexual, too. And I’m here for that.
Luteal phase – autumn
The luteal phase, as Jordanna describes, is “the time to hold yourself as disturbances and your inner critic start to take over”. During this season, we can become more tense, with a rise in PMS symptoms. This is a result of hormonal fluctuations of both estrogen and progesterone. We should be slowing down during this time and focusing on task-based activities and life admin (like finalising your monthly budget). Try to be patient with yourself during this phase.
Using TCM’s seasons model can really help you to understand each phase better. You know how you feel when the seasons change – bright and happy in summer, restful in winter. Next time you’ve come to the end of menstruation, start to notice the little changes you go through over these new four phases, or seasons, of your menstrual cycle.
Yours,
Kait x
Cover photo by Ahmed