One woman has a 27-day cycle and never experiences any discomfort, while another woman has a 31-day cycle and experiences mood swings and tender breasts. What is a normal menstrual cycle? And what phases does such a cycle actually consist of? You can read all about it in this blog!
Is there really such a thing as a normal menstrual cycle?
A hormonal cycle lasts an average of 28 days and goes through 4 phases each time. A cycle is considered normal by many women (and girls) when it returns monthly, but this used to be different. Back then, a woman was either pregnant or breastfeeding. This also means that women in the past went through an average of 50 complete menstrual cycles in their lifetime. Nowadays, women go through an average of 451!
The 4 phases of a menstrual cycle
As mentioned, a hormonal cycle consists of 4 phases, all of which must be completed successfully, again and again, for a normal menstrual cycle. You could compare these phases to the 4 seasons in a year.
- Menstruation, winter
- Follicular phase, spring
- Ovulation, summer
- Luteal phase, autumn
Phase 1: Winter – Menstrual period
A cycle starts with menstruation, which is often seen as a time of rest and renewal, similar to the cold winter months. The menstrual period lasts an average of 3 to 7 days. During this phase, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, leading to the shedding of the uterine lining – the actual menstruation. Support your body in this phase with warming foods and supplement your iron levels if necessary.
Towards the end of this phase, a new cycle begins, and estrogen levels slowly rise again.
Phase 2: Spring - Follicular phase
After menstruation, the spring of the cycle begins, also known as the follicular phase. This is a time of growth and preparation. On average, this phase lasts 7 to 10 days, and your body is working hard to make one of the follicles (the egg cell) grow into the most dominant one. The hormone estrogen gradually increases in this phase, which causes the uterine lining to thicken. This is beneficial for the egg cell and helps sperm gradually move through the fallopian tube. In addition, another hormone is produced: the FSH hormone. FSH stands for Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and signals the ovaries – an egg cell may start to grow for the approaching ovulation!
Phase 3: Summer - Ovulation
In summer, the cycle reaches its peak with the ovulation phase, which usually lasts 1 to 4 days. Similar to the abundance of summer, an egg is released from the ovary. Estrogen peaks and prepares the body for potential fertilization; you are most fertile during this phase.
During ovulation, your uterine lining is extra mucous and penetrable, allowing the sperm to easily find its way to the egg.
Because your estrogen level is at its highest in this phase, it is advisable to support your liver with detoxification. Therefore, avoid alcohol during this phase and ensure at least 500 grams of vegetables per day, healthy fats, proteins, and fibers.
Phase 4: Autumn - Luteal phase
After ovulation, we enter the autumn of the cycle, also known as the luteal phase. This phase lasts an average of 10 to 14 days. Estrogen decreases and progesterone increases to prepare the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels will drop again, and menstruation will begin again.
Conclusion:
Does a normal menstrual cycle exist? Yes and no. You can consider a menstrual cycle normal when all 4 phases are completed, but for some, this takes longer than for others. If your hormonal cycle is shorter than 26 days, or longer than 31 days, then you can speak of an abnormal menstrual cycle, and it may be advisable to examine it. Also, with recurring monthly PMS symptoms or a hormonal imbalance, it can be helpful to enlist the guidance of a therapist or request a hormone test!
Want to read more about hormones? Then download our free e-book!
