How to Live in Sync With Your Menstrual Cycle: Follicular Phase
This series was created to help you tune in and harness the power of your menstrual cycle. Learn more: How To Live in Sync With Your Menstrual Cycle: Intro
The 2nd phase is the follicular phase. It’s full of action and excitement. In nature, it aligns with spring (yearly cycle), the waxing moon (monthly cycle), and sunrise (daily cycle).
What's happening physically?
The pituitary gland releases Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), which stimulates the follicles in one of your ovaries to mature. You feel lighter and less weighed down during this phase.
How it feels energetically & emotionally
Estrogen drives your desire for connection and you feel social this week.
Your mood and brain function get boosted. Your energy is rising and your confidence increases.
Testosterone may make you feel more impulsive and you have a higher pain threshold.
How to tune in & flow with the phase
Collaborate, initiate new projects, and be assertive. Go after your dreams.
Problem solve, take more risks, and try new things.
Move your body: Go for challenging and energetic physical activities that you enjoy.
How to nourish and "feed" this phase
Well balanced meals help you maintain your accumulating energy without causing spikes. Blood sugar imbalances can disrupt approaching ovulation, so be mindful of refined sugars and processed grain products.
Chart your fertility signs
Chance of conceiving: good, especially leading up to ovulation. An egg isn’t released during this phase but sperm can live in a woman's body for up to five days.
Cervical mucous: Early in the phase a slight dampness will be present when you check your cervical fluid, similar to touching the inside of your mouth. Leading up to ovulation it can be opaque white or yellow. Texture becomes thick, sticky, pasty, or crumbly. As estrogen rises it then starts to become thinner and creamy. This fertile phase usually starts about three to five days prior to an egg being released. The creamy fluid protects and nourishes sperm waiting for ovulation inside a woman’s body.
Cervical positioning: Starts off relatively low, firm, dry and tightly closed. Over the course of this phase it becomes higher, softer and wetter.
Basal body temp: Will be lower and stable during this phase, averaging between 97.0 and 97.7.
