Category > Relationship with yourself, The Female Cycle, Women's Body
The Menstruation Cycle
Why is the menstruation cycle important?
To show you how wonderful you are, of course!
The cycle from menstruation (period) to menstruation is approximately 28 days .. but this is just an average as everyone’s cycle is unique for them so the number of days will vary for each person and may not be the same for each month. For example, one month it can be 27 days and the next 29 days. As your cycle is unique to you and your body, you can’t fit it into something thats pre-set.
It’s common for us to focus on only one part of the cycle, the menstruation (period) phase and forget or lose sight that the cycle is a whole and not just one part.
We often overlook the rest of the details of what happens in the days from one period to the next. But these can be really important pieces of the puzzle of your overall well-being.
Did you know that what happens to us at the moment of menstruation (period) is the result of how we have lived during the entire monthly cycle!
The cycle of menstruation is something that is super supportive when we have more awareness and are more in tune with it. It provides an advantage and strength, as we have an inner cycle that not only ‘cleanses’ us each month of all that we have accumulated, but also helps us to review how we have lived during the previous cycle. It clearly ‘speaks’ to us through aches, pains, tiredness, changes in our mood and gives us the possibility to make changes in the way we move through life.
If you look at your body for the whole month…. Whether it’s during the specific days of menstruation, the days before or after, the days around ovulation or when you are fertile or not…all of these phases of your cycle are particular to you and your body and can give you valuable information about yourself, if you are willing to listen.
You will see that over time you will be able to begin to detect the feelings or moods, or physical symptoms that recur and associate them with the different phases of the cycle.
The 4 Phases of the Menstruation Cycle
The menstruation (period) cycle has four stages. All four are equally important:
1. Menstruation
Menstruation always marks the beginning of the cycle. During these days, the body cleanses the blood that runs through your body, but that’s not all. During this phase of the month the body has the opportunity to get rid of many things, physical and emotional, and that gives us the opportunity to start ‘fresh’ the next month or the next cycle.
Menstruation is a time when your body gives you feedback on how you have lived during the cycle that is ending, so that you can learn from it.
We may experience aches and pains that invite us to review how we treat our body and how we move through life. For example, if we walk with a lot of stress and hurry or race through life, we don’t allow ourselves rest or time with ourselves to reflect and feel how we are. Or spend every spare moment on social media getting distracted not spending time to take care of ourselves or create space in our life so we don’t have to rush around.
The time of a period (menstruation) is a time to generate a space of inner stillness and rest. This stage can lasts about 5-7 days, but it all depends on your body and could be less or more than this.
2. Pre-Ovulation
This phase begins after the period and lasts from day 7 to day 14 with ovulation. During this phase, hormones help your body prepare for ovulation, the release of the egg from the ovary.
Leading up to ovulation, your body begins to secrete clear mucus. At first the mucous membrane feels damp. As we get closer to ovulation, the mucous will gradually increase. Just before ovulation the cervical fluid will increase considerably. You might notice it being sticky, slippery and stretchy (similar to egg white).
Pre-ovulation is the time when the new cycle begins to unfold. We can see it as a new beginning to deepen the degree of love for ourselves. We can start fresh and make choices that support us in taking better care of ourselves. For example, what are our relationships like? Do we have people around us who truly support us …. This can also be simply noticing that something doesn’t feel good for us and observing how it affects us. Sometimes we don’t have the possibility to change things immediately, but becoming aware of something is already a really important step.
Ovulation
Ovulation is a crucial time in this cycle in terms of what is going on with you and your body. It can be super supportive during this time if you observe your body during these days (when you are ovulating) and take note of what is happening.
The time of ovulation is a special time for every woman. It is a time to enjoy, celebrate and express the true beauty that each woman emanates from within.
During ovulation, some women experience a “high.” Others, a “downer.” Others experience feelings in between. Observing yourself and taking notes allows you to record your experience and have more awareness of your moods during each moment of your cycle.
3. Post-Ovulation
After ovulation, from about day 14 to day 21 is the post-ovulation phase. The released egg is only 24 hours old and if pregnancy has not occurred, the body re-absorbs the egg and hormones begin to prepare the body for a new cleansing time.
4. Pre-Menstruation
From about the 22nd to the 28th day, the body begins to prepare for the next menstruation (period) and ends the cycle with this. Your body prepares to cleanse what is not in harmony with its natural rhythm. It is a time when we can prepare ourselves to let go of what has accumulated when menstruation arrives. You can feel and observe changes in your body, feelings and moods. The menstruation stage is also a time you can use to reflect on the previous stages and become aware of the signals and messages that our body communicates to us.
If you pay attention to this phase of your cycle it also supports you to prepare for the following one where you can make practical steps and changes regarding possible activities including having time/space for yourself. We’ve all felt the need to spend a quiet day watching “movies” when we’ve had our period, so why not give ourselves some love and attention too : ) ❤️
