Page 85 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 7 | October - November 2024

UNDERSTANDING THE PHASES Luteal Phase: CORTISOL
OF YOUR FLOW
What It Is: After ovulation, the luteal phase Cortisol is your body’s stress hormone:
Much like the moon, our menstrual cycles prepares the body for a potential pregnancy it jumps into action to manage energy,

consist of distinct phases, each influenced and lasts about 10 to 14 days. metabolism, and immune responses. When

by the ebb and flow of our bodies. Though What Our Bodies Look Like: This phase may you’re stressed, cortisol levels naturally go
it’s a popular belief that our cycles sync with bring symptoms such as bloating, mood up. But if that stress lingers around for too
the moon’s phases, the truth is that it is swings, break outs, and major fatigue. long, high cortisol can leave you feeling
attuned to the unique patterns of our bodies. Appetite changes and irritability are also worn out, anxious, and might even mess
Understanding each distinct phase allows us common (but, don’t worry it’s not you, it’s with your menstrual cycle. So, it’s all about
to better navigate the symptoms and changes the hormones!) finding ways to best manage that stress and

that arise in each stage. By recognising what What We Can Do: Self-care, check! Practice keep the cortisol in check! For me, I enjoy
to expect during each phase, we can tailor stress-reducing activities like meditation light workouts, revisiting my comfort shows,
our approach to managing our physical or gentle exercise, and focus on a diet and journaling as I blast Fiona Apple in
and emotional well-being more effectively. that includes complex carbohydrates and the background.
magnesium to help alleviate symptoms.
The Menstrual Phase:
THE ALMIGHTY HORMONES
What it is: This is the phase when bleeding
occurs, marking the start of a new cycle. It Our hormones can be quite the rollercoaster,
typically lasts between 3 to 7 days. changing with each stage of a woman’s
What Our Bodies Look Like: We may life – whether it’s puberty, pregnancy,
experience fatigue, cramping, bloating, or menopause. These shifts influence
headaches, cravings, and mood swings. everything from our energy levels and moods,
Energy levels might be lower, and there to how we feel physically and emotionally.
may be a sense of introspection. Keeping track of our hormonal changes,
What We Can Do: Prioritise rest, stay especially throughout our menstrual cycle,
hydrated, and consume iron-rich foods to can be very helpful. It helps us tune in to
replenish lost nutrients. Gentle exercise, like how these changes are impacting our overall
yoga or walking, can help alleviate cramps well-being and mood, making us feel more
and improve your mood. in control and in touch with our bodies.
Embracing the natural
Follicular Phase: OESTROGEN rhythms of our bodies
can transform how we see
What It Is: Following our flow, the follicular Oestrogen is the primary female sex and care for ourselves. By

phase involves the maturation of follicles hormone. It plays a key role in developing understanding the flow
in the ovaries and typically lasts around 7 our reproductive organs, keeping our of our cycles and the
to 10 days. menstrual cycles on track, and supporting powerful hormones that
What Our Bodies Look Like: Energy levels pregnancy. It also helps keep our bones shape our experiences, we
begin to rise, and mood often improves. Skin strong, influences where we store body fat can lean into our body’s

may clear up, and libido might increase as (hello, hips and thighs!), and even gives our unique needs with greater
the body prepares for ovulation. skin and hair that extra glow. Throughout compassion and awareness.
What We Can Do: I like to call this phase your menstrual cycle, oestrogen levels rise It’s a journey of learning
our ‘Girlboss’ era. Engage in more intensive and fall, which can affect your mood, energy, to honour our temples
workouts if desired, focus on a balanced and libido. When oestrogen dips – like through every phase and
diet rich in proteins and vitamins, and take during menopause – you might experience recognising that each
advantage of that increased energy and things like hot flashes and mood swings. shift is a reminder of the

motivation. It’s all part of your body’s natural rhythm! resilience and beauty
that comes with being a
Ovulatory Phase: PROGESTERONE woman.

What It Is: This phase is characterised by Progesterone works with oestrogen to
the release of an egg from the ovary, usually regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare
around the middle of the cycle, and lasts the body for pregnancy after ovulation. It
about 3 to 5 days. has a soothing, calming effect, helping to
What Our Bodies Look Like: At this stage, balance out oestrogen. During the luteal
our temples shine! We may experience peak phase, you might notice a bit of fatigue or
energy, heightened libido, and an overall bloating – totally normal as progesterone
sense of well-being. Skin may be clear, and does its thing. If progesterone levels drop,
mood is often at its best. it can cause changes in your period, mood
What We Can Do: Harness this period of swings, or even affect pregnancy. It’s all
high energy by tackling challenging tasks or about keeping that hormone harmony!
projects. Maintain hydration and balanced
nutrition to support overall health and vitality.

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