Why is the menstrual cycle important?
A menstrual cycle is more than your ‘period’ or ‘that time of the month’. Understanding the full period cycle — and how it affects your body, mood, and energy — is one of the most empowering things a woman can do for her health. Being in tune with your body is important so that if things go wrong, you know to to seek help.
The menstrual cycle is also important to sexual health, as tracking it and being aware of fertile days can be used as a contraceptive method and to plan conception.
The human menstrual cycle involves rhythmic changes in two organs: the ovary and the uterus. There are 4 distinct phases in one menstrual cycle.
Menstrual Cycle Phases (Women’s cycle phases)
The women’s cycle phases refer to the four hormonal stages of the menstrual cycle that prepare the body for possible pregnancy each month.
The four phases are:
- Menstrual phase (period bleeding)
- Follicular phase (post-period rebuilding phase)
- Ovulation phase (fertile window)
- Luteal phase (pre-period phase)
Menstruation – The Periods [Days 1-7]
The first phase of the menstrual cycle is menstruation, lasting 3–7 days. During this phase, the uterine lining sheds, causing bleeding. Many women experience cramps, mood changes, and fatigue during this phase.
The Follicular Phase – Before Ovulation Phase ( or The After Period Phase) [Days 1-14]
The follicular phase is often called the after period phase — it begins the moment menstruation ends and continues until ovulation. This is the phase before ovulation, during which your ovaries are preparing for fertilisation. Hormones like oestrogen begin to rise, and the body gets ready for a potential pregnancy.
It’s also one of the most noticeable phases when it comes to follicular phase feelings — many women describe a shift in mood, energy, and mental clarity that makes this stretch of the cycle feel distinctly different from the days just before or during a period.
Ovulation – The Time a Woman is Most Likely to Conceive [Day 14]
Ovulation is when an egg is released. This is the most fertile period of your female menstrual cycle. Knowing your fertile window is essential for planning conception or understanding your series of 7 days cycle around ovulation.
The Luteal Phase – After Ovulation [Days 15-28]
After ovulation, the luteal phase prepares the uterus for a possible pregnancy. Symptoms can include bloating, breast tenderness, or mood changes — all part of the period cycle phases and symptoms.
Symptoms of Follicular Phase
The symptoms of follicular phase vary from woman to woman, but this phase is often associated with a noticeable shift in how the body feels after menstruation ends. As oestrogen levels begin to rise, many women report both physical and emotional changes that reflect increased hormonal activity and energy rebuilding in the body.
Common symptoms of the follicular phase may include:
- Gradual increase in energy levels after your period ends
- Improved mood and emotional stability
- Enhanced focus and mental clarity
- Reduced bloating and menstrual discomfort
- Clearer skin for some individuals
- Changes in cervical mucus (becoming more clear, slippery, and fertile)
These symptoms of follicular phase are often subtle at the beginning and become more noticeable as ovulation approaches. Some women may also experience a sense of motivation, increased productivity, and a return to physical wellbeing after the menstrual phase.
It is important to note that not all women experience obvious symptoms during the follicular phase, and cycle experiences can vary each month due to stress, lifestyle, and hormonal balance.
Understanding the symptoms of follicular phase can help you better track your menstrual cycle, identify your fertile window, and recognise what is normal for your own body.
What does a healthy menstrual cycle look like?
When it comes to menstrual cycles, there is a wide range of what is healthy. The length of the period cycle is 21 to 35 days, with most averaging 26 to 28 days. The duration of the secretory phase is relatively constant, averaging 14 days.
Some people have very consistent menstrual cycles, whilst others will notice variation in the length of their cycles or periods.
Periods lasting more than 7 days or needing more than 6 tampons/pads per day can be considered heavy bleeding. It can also be normal to skip periods at times.
A 26-day cycle is perfectly normal, and tracking your 26-day period cycle can help you predict ovulation, manage symptoms, and understand your hormonal patterns.
Menstrual Cycle Phases and Energy Levels
One of the most practical reasons to understand your menstrual cycle is what it can tell you about your energy levels throughout your cycle. Menstrual cycle phases and energy levels are closely linked — and once you understand the pattern, you can work with your body rather than against it.
Here’s how energy typically shifts across the cycle:
- Menstrual phase: Energy is often at its lowest. Rest, gentle movement, and self-care are beneficial during this time.
- Follicular phase: Energy begins to rebuild. Many women feel more motivated, physically capable, and mentally sharp during this phase — making it a good time for new projects, exercise, and social commitments.
- Ovulation: Energy typically peaks. This is often when women feel their most confident and outgoing.
- Luteal phase: Energy gradually declines, particularly in the lead-up to menstruation. Slowing down, prioritising sleep, and managing stress become more important.
Understanding how you feel at different stages of your menstrual cycle can help you plan your work, exercise, social life, and self-care in a way that genuinely supports your wellbeing.
“When my patients start tracking their cycle, they’re often surprised by how much it explains – their energy, their mood, their motivation. It’s not ‘just hormones’, it’s information.” — Dr Sugandha Kumar, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Melbourne
Follicular Phase Pain – Is It Normal?
While the follicular phase is generally associated with improving wellbeing, some women do experience follicular phase pain. This can include mild pelvic discomfort or a sensation around the ovaries as follicles develop and oestrogen rises. Some women also notice a sharp or cramping sensation at the time of ovulation itself, known as Mittelschmerz (middle pain).
Mild discomfort in this phase is usually normal, but persistent or severe pain should always be discussed with your doctor, as it can sometimes indicate conditions such as endometriosis or ovarian cysts.
What is a fertile window?
Your fertile window is the time in your menstrual cycle when you can get pregnant. The day before ovulation and the day you ovulate are known as your ‘peak fertile days’, but since sperm can survive for up to 5 days inside a woman’s body, you are also fertile on the few days before ovulation. Once an egg is released it will survive for up to 24 hours, so you remain fertile for this period too.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles
Cycle length varies between women, even the same woman may have a variation from month to month. So variable cycles and irregular periods are more common than one may think and are actually perfectly normal.
Extreme irregularity in menstrual cycles could point to an underlying medical reason that could also affect fertility.
Other causes of irregular or missed periods could include:
- Underlying reproductive disorder, like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Obesity
- Perimenopause
- An eating disorder
- Too much exercise
- A thyroid disorder
The menstrual cycle is an entire month-long cycle in which women experience different moods, emotions, and energy levels as hormones rise and fall. Knowing where you are in your cycle on any given day helps you understand why you may act, feel, and be a certain way.
You may not experience the same symptoms or a particular symptom to the same extent in every cycle.
Life and the Menstrual Cycle
Life doesn’t have to stop for periods. But suggesting we should “keep going” regardless and pretend like our period is not happening is a linear, straight-line approach to what is a cyclic process. Understanding your body, your menstrual cycle and your hormonal changes empowers you to make decisions and lifestyle choices that are right for you.
Who can I talk to for advice?
Our Women’s Health specialists at Create Health are always available for advice and would love to listen to you and discuss how we can assist you. We are experts in this area and are here to help.
Contact us by ringing 9873 6767 or by writing to info@create-health.com.au.
References
https://uk.clearblue.com/how-to-get-pregnant/how-long-is-a-menstrual-cycle
*All of the above is true for women not using any hormonal contraception.
