Our bodies are very similar to the natural environment, and learning to honor our own powerful internal cyclical nature is a gift. In fact, I believe that understanding how your hormones work in each phase of your cycle is the key to maximizing your potential, in both your personal and professional life. So I’m sharing my guide for how both women and men should approach each phase. I wrote this post with straight couples in mind, but the information could be useful to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
- The Bleeding Phase Women: On the first day of your cycle, your progesterone levels drop significantly1, which causes the shedding of your uterine lining. Progesterone is considered an anti-anxiety hormone, so this sharp drop might have you feeling more agitated. Estrogen also drops during this time, and your energy is at the lowest level in your cycle. During this week, you may feel tired and withdrawn. You’ll want to rest more than you usually do. You won’t be feeling at your best this week, but this is natural — so be patient with yourself. Here are your action steps for this week: Women: This phase follows just after menstruation. It’s called the follicular phase because your pituitary gland releases a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone, which stimulates the follicles in your ovaries to mature. These contain your eggs. During this week, your estrogen and testosterone levels will rise. This may bring a boost in your energy and improve your mood. Your confidence will rise and you may find yourself more extroverted and willing to take risks. Testosterone also enhances your libido. Women: Ovulation is the culmination of all the hard work your body has been doing over the last couple of weeks. An egg gets released from its follicle in your ovary and will survive for 12 to 24 hours. If you’re trying to get pregnant, now is the time. And if you’re not — be careful! Estrogen and testosterone both rise to peak levels. Your self-esteem will be at its highest and you’ll likely feel sexier and more confident than at any other time in your cycle. Women: The first two to three days of this phase will feel a lot like the ovulatory phase. That will begin to change when estrogen and testosterone start to decline and your body starts producing progesterone. Remember, progesterone is an anti-anxiety hormone — like a natural Valium — so you’ll find yourself beginning to wind down. Now is a good time for nesting, chores, and taking care of to-do lists. The second half of this phase is notoriously difficult for many women. The significant drop in estrogen and testosterone can cause PMS symptoms like cravings, bloating, headaches, anxiety, and moodiness. Rather than treating symptoms, Nicole treats women by addressing the root cause of what’s really going on in their bodies. She passionately believes that the fundamentals to healing hormonal imbalances lie in an approach that addresses the unique physiology of every woman. Sign up here for her Fix Your Period Quickstart Kit, a FREE 7-Day E-Course, to discover the top secrets doctors don’t tell you about your hormones, your symptoms & how to finally fix them! Come hang out with Nicole in her Know Your Flow group, or connect with her via her blog, Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.
