The Female Monthly Cycle

For many women, their cycle likely only crosses their mind once a month – just as their period is about to start. However, their period is just a small part of the entirety of the menstrual cycle, which encompasses numerous hormonal fluctuations and physiological changes throughout the month. These changes not only affect functions occurring within the body but can also significantly impact mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.

Understanding the biology of the monthly cycle is the first step to working with it. By staying attuned to the body’s cues throughout the month, one can proactively address its evolving needs not just during menstruation, but every day!

Hormones play an important role in controlling many functions throughout the body

The key to understanding the biology of the menstrual cycle starts with getting to know the main players – hormones.

Hormones are specialized chemicals produced by the body to regulate the activity of specific cells. By circulating through the bloodstream, hormones influence nearly every part of the body and control many important functions like digestion, energy levels, skin condition, and cognitive abilities.

Sex hormones are a class of hormones that play essential roles in the development and regulation of sexual characteristics and reproductive functions throughout life. During fetal development, these hormones help develop reproductive organs. Once puberty hits, they trigger physical changes such as growth spurts, vocal changes, and the onset of menstruation or sperm production. In adulthood, sex hormones continue to play a major role in controlling reproductive functions, sexual desire, and overall sexual well-being.

While both males and females produce all sex hormones, variations in hormone levels dictate the development and function of male and female bodies differently. In males, the primary hormone is testosterone; in females, estrogen and progesterone are the main sex hormones.

Male and female hormones follow unique rhythms

Hormonal fluctuations also vary between males and females. In males, testosterone levels cycle throughout the day in sync with the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Levels peak in the morning and decrease gradually, reaching their lowest point at night. In females, estrogen and progesterone undergo monthly cycles of fluctuation. These hormones, along with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), are the four critical regulators of the menstrual cycle.1

Like all other hormones, sex hormones can impact various organs in the body. Beyond their primary roles, these hormones can influence mood, energy levels, bone density, and gut function – all of which sync up to the different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Changes in sex hormones orchestrate the menstrual cycle

Each month, the menstrual cycle prepares the female body for the possibility of pregnancy through two main processes. First, a single egg matures, ready to join with sperm for fertilization. If fertilized, the egg will eventually develop into an embryo. However, if not fertilized, the egg disintegrates or is absorbed by the body. Second, the walls of the uterus thicken to facilitate the comfortable attachment of a fertilized egg. Should fertilization not occur, the newly thickened lining will be shed during menstruation. These events typically span 25 to 35 days, after which the cycle begins again.

The entire menstrual cycle, driven by changes in the four key sex hormones, can be further broken down into four stages: The follicular stage, the ovulatory stage, the luteal stage, and the menstrual stage.

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