For the last two posts, we’ve been talking about the first two phases of the menstrual cycle, the menstrual and the follicular phases.
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Are you finding that having this information is helping you understand better about what’s happening in your body?
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I really feel empowered when I know what’s going on and I don’t have to guess. Do you?
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Let’s move on to talking about the ovulatory phase, otherwise known as ovulation!
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So what’s actually happening when you ovulate?
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Simply put, one of your ovaries releases a mature egg! This is the big moment of your menstrual cycle and what the follicular phase has been building up to!
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Your luteinising and follicle stimulating hormones are at their highest points, as is your oestrogen, which has risen to help thicken the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (the place where a fertilised egg will implant!).
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For most women, their energy will be at its highest point and they’ll be raring to go!
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Communication skills are at their peak during ovulation, so this is the time to schedule in that big presentation or important meeting with a boss or client.
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Here’s a question I get asked a lot: how do I know when I’m ovulating?
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There are two major signs to look for:
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- Discharge: this tends to become more of an egg white consistency and can be whitish in colour
- Temperature:if you track your cycle using the fertility awareness method (FAM), then you will see your temperature rising during this phase of your cycle
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Food wise, do you notice that you tend to crave fresh fruits and vegetables during this phase of your menstrual cycle? There’s a reason for this!
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Eating a rainbow of fruit and veg helps support your immune system and keeps you as healthy as possible – your body wants to have the healthiest possible environment to fertilise the mature egg it’s just released!
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Do you notice a boost in your energy levels and communication skills when you’re ovulating?
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What do you think? Is there anything else you want to learn more about this phase of your menstrual cycle?
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Next up: the final phase – luteal!
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Are your hormones up and down? Do you want to talk more about ways to improve your hormone health? Get in touch for a free 30 minute hormone & menstrual health review.
Le’Nise Brothers is a nutritional therapist, women’s health coach and founder of Eat Love Move.
Le’Nise works primarily with women who feel like they’re being ruled by their sugar cravings, mood swings and hormonal acne & bloating.
They want to get to grips with heavy, missing, irregular & painful periods, fibroids, PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, post-natal depletion and perimenopause.
Her mission is for women to understand and embrace their hormones & menstrual cycle!
