Society is designed with the male body in mind – work schedules, pain medication, bathrooms, and more. And so, existing and functioning in environments that don’t cater to us is exhausting.
We used to question what was up with our bodies and why they were so “inconsistent.” Now, we question what’s wrong with a society that has overlooked our bodies for so long.
For a long time we believed the menstrual cycle was just the days we were bleeding, but we recently learned there’s more to it. Like, waaaaay more.
A few things we’ve learned
The menstrual cycle prepares your body for pregnancy every month(ish) by undergoing a series of hormonal changes that impact the way we think, feel and behave. Our pain threshold changes and so does our vision, heart rate, physical stamina, body temperature, coordination and more.
Essentially, we are not the same person from day one of our period through the day before the next one.
The menstrual cycle can be split into two stages; pre-ovulation and post-ovulation. These two stages encompass four distinct phases and different events occur during each phase.
STAGE 1
Pre-ovulation
STAGE 2
Post-ovulation
It helps to think of these phases as the seasons of the year.
Society recognizes the changes each season brings and has adapted and organized many activities accordingly (ie. school year, vacations, agriculture). We think it’s important to honor and adjust to our natural rhythm, just like we do with the seasons.
The distinction of four phases is a helpful tool for comparing the changes our bodies undergo during each week of the cycle. Individual symptoms may vary since everyone’s menstrual cycle is unique. We recommend tracking your cycle to understand the physical and emotional changes your body experiences during each phase. Learn more about cycle tracking here.