Menstrual Phase — Hormones Reset as the Cycle Begins Again
Both hormones bottom out while the uterine lining sheds.
- 3–7 days: Typical duration (Placeholder: varies by person.)
- Low: Estrogen level (Placeholder: near cycle minimum.)
- Low: Progesterone level (Placeholder: near cycle minimum.)
- Cramping: Dominant symptom (Placeholder: prostaglandin-driven.)
What happens during menstruation
Placeholder: lining sheds as hormone support withdraws.
Placeholder: cramping intensity tracks prostaglandin release.
Follicular Phase — Estrogen Climbs as Follicles Mature
Rising estrogen rebuilds the lining and readies an egg.
- ~8 days: Typical duration (Placeholder: days 6–13 window.)
- Rising: Estrogen level (Placeholder: steady upward climb.)
- Flat: Progesterone level (Placeholder: stays low still.)
- Mild relief: Dominant symptom (Placeholder: energy often improves.)
Follicular development and estrogen climb
Placeholder: follicles grow, estrogen output steadily increases.
Placeholder: symptom intensity usually dips this week.
Ovulation — Estrogen Peaks and Triggers Egg Release
A sharp estrogen surge triggers the mid-cycle LH spike.
- Day 14: Typical day (Placeholder: varies with cycle length.)
- Peak: Estrogen level (Placeholder: cycle maximum here.)
- Beginning rise: Progesterone level (Placeholder: starts climbing after.)
- Mittelschmerz: Dominant symptom (Placeholder: brief ovulation twinge.)
The ovulatory estrogen surge
Placeholder: peak estrogen signals the pituitary to release LH.
Placeholder: some feel a brief one-sided pelvic twinge.
Luteal Phase — Progesterone Takes Over After Ovulation
The corpus luteum secretes progesterone to support implantation.
- ~10 days: Typical duration (Placeholder: days 15–24 window.)
- Secondary bump: Estrogen level (Placeholder: smaller second peak.)
- High: Progesterone level (Placeholder: dominant hormone now.)
- Bloating: Dominant symptom (Placeholder: fluid retention common.)
Progesterone dominance in the luteal phase
Placeholder: corpus luteum maintains progesterone until it regresses.
Placeholder: mild bloating and fatigue often appear here.
Premenstrual Phase — Hormones Fall and Symptoms Intensify
Falling estrogen and progesterone drive peak PMS symptoms.
- ~4 days: Typical duration (Placeholder: days 25–28 window.)
- Falling: Estrogen level (Placeholder: sharp late decline.)
- Falling: Progesterone level (Placeholder: corpus luteum regresses.)
- PMS mood/physical: Dominant symptom (Placeholder: combined symptom peak.)
Hormone withdrawal and PMS symptom peak
Placeholder: dropping hormones correlate with peak PMS intensity.
Placeholder: emotional and physical curves both crest here.