4 Keys To Knowing Yourself Through Your Menstrual Cycle
Women spend an average of 35 years menstruating throughout our lives… that’s a lot of years, right? What not all women know is that the menstrual cycle is a great way to get to know yourself
I bring you the keys to getting to know yourself through your menstrual cycle: you will discover how to enhance each phase, as well as apps and recommended readings.
The menstrual cycle is a great tool for self-knowledge because it influences us, although it does not determine us, on a physical, emotional and mental level.
Women are cyclical and, consequently, we do not feel the same way at all times. If we pay attention to our evolution, we will find a multitude of benefits and opportunities to take advantage of Let’s see what happens in each phase.
The cycle is made up of 4 phases, and not only bleeding, as we usually believe In each of these phases there is a different production of hormones and neurotransmitters. The complete cycle lasts between 28 and 29 days on average.
Although there are many hormones that contribute, the most important are progesterone and estrogen; This means that physical and emotional tendencies can be observed in the different phases, but… be careful! They can vary between women and women.
1. Preovulatory or follicular phase
Estradiol levels rise which is a type of estrogen and the egg grows and develops.
What does this translate into?
In greater sexual desire, well-being and pleasure. At this stage of the month we feel better We also rest better and our skin and hair look healthier. We are more energetic and optimistic. We want change, new things, creating…
2. Ovulation
The egg follicle swells and ruptures to release an oocyte which may or may not be fertilized.
What does this translate into?
We tend to be calmer. Our self-esteem increases and we want to be with people more. We feel more beautiful and have a greater sexual desire.
3. Premenstrual or luteal phase
If there is no fertilization, The empty follicle becomes the so-called corpus luteum Progesterone begins to predominate.
What does this translate into?
In irritability and conflicts. We can also connect more with what we need to change in our lives. We become more reflective, introverted and intuitive.
We express more emotionally things that already worried us We become better attuned to our inner knowing and what we do not want in our lives. Finally, we become sleepier.
4. Bleeding
The corpus luteum breaks down and the endometrial tissue is expelled that’s why we bleed.
What does this translate into?
This is not the time to act, this phase invites reflection and sadness. The body is making a great metabolic effort and consequently, we need to rest and be calm.
How to enhance each phase for your own benefit
Although each woman and each body is different, we can generally establish the following strategies.
We can make the preovulatory phase a period of reflection and decision; Our ovulation is usually a good time to express ourselves, open ourselves.
While we are premenstrual we can take the opportunity to connect with the things we don’t like and to which we want to set limits.
Finally, the menstrual phase is a good time to follow learning to stop and respect our rhythm
You may be interested: “Self-knowledge: definition and 8 tips to improve it”
4 Apps and 4 recommended books about the menstrual cycle
There are many books that address the topic from very different perspectives Some examples.
Period Repair Manualby Lara Briden: this is a good reference manual, it contains very simple and complete explanations of common disorders.
Woman Codeby Alissa Viti: the author is a nutritionist, and in her book she talks about hormonal health, developing her own method.
Red Moonby Miranda Gray: it is a much more poetic reading, full of myths, legends, stories and metaphors that will make you connect with ancestral feminine wisdom.
I menstruate, a manifesto, by Erika Irusta: the author talks to us about the menstrual cycle from an activist position. She is the first menstrual pedagogue in Spain.
Some useful applications When it comes to learning how to record your cycle they are: Clue, Flo, Period calendar, and Woman Log.
To finish…
Every day is a good time to get to know each other better Both through our body (and this includes our cycle) and through other pathways. Knowing yourself helps you focus your life and improves your relationships. What are you waiting for?
If you feel it is time to deepen your knowledge of yourself, you can do it with me.
