Stages of the Menstrual Cycle: Phases, Hormones & What Each Stage Means

An Overview of the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a natural monthly process where your hormones prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy. It involves a series of predictable changes controlled mainly by the ovaries and brain.

Many people refer to their period as ‘chums,’ and if you’ve ever looked up ‘chums’ meaning, you’ll know it simply refers to menstruation. However, the biology behind the cycle is far more structured than these casual phrases suggest.

Your cycle is divided into four main stages, which include the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Understanding these stages helps you recognise what is typical for your body and when changes may need medical attention. It also helps reduce confusion and anxiety if you have been experiencing symptoms without knowing what they mean.

Which Four Stages Does the Menstrual Cycle Include?

There are four stages, which include the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Each one is guided by hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone. These hormones rise and fall in a rhythm that affects your mood, energy levels, skin, appetite and even sleep.

During every menstrual cycle, an egg develops and is released from the ovaries, and the uterine lining gradually builds up to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, this lining sheds during your menstrual period, marking the start of a new cycle all over again.

What Happens During the Follicular Phase?

This phase prepares the body for ovulation. The follicular phase begins on the first day of your period and continues until ovulation occurs. Even though it overlaps with the menstrual phase for a few days, this is a separate stage with its own hormonal activity. As this phase progresses, oestrogen gradually rises, and the body begins to prepare for the release of an egg.

Hormones Involved:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone
• Oestrogen

The brain releases follicle-stimulating hormone, which encourages several follicles in the ovaries to grow. Each follicle contains an immature egg. One follicle usually becomes dominant and starts producing more oestrogen. This hormone helps rebuild the uterine lining after menstruation and prepares the body for ovulation.

Physical and Emotional Changes:

• Rise in energy levels
• Improved mood
• Clearer thinking
• Cervical mucus becomes clearer and more stretchy
• Reduced cramps once bleeding stops

Many people notice that they feel lighter and more balanced emotionally during this phase due to rising oestrogen levels.

Common Issues During This Stage:

Some individuals experience headaches, mild acne, irregular spotting or a longer follicular phase. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome can influence how long this stage lasts because follicle development may be slower.

What Happens During Ovulation?

Ovulation happens when the ovary releases a fully developed egg. This stage represents the most fertile point in the cycle. When oestrogen reaches a high level, the brain releases luteinising hormone, which triggers the release of the egg. The egg then travels towards the fallopian tube, where fertilisation may occur.

Hormones Involved:

• Luteinising hormone
• Oestrogen

The sudden rise in luteinising hormone is what causes ovulation. This surge is often measured through ovulation predictor kits used by individuals tracking fertility.

Signs Of Ovulation:

• Clear and stretchy cervical mucus
• A slight rise in body temperature
• Mild pelvic twinges
• Increased sense of smell or taste
• Enhanced libido

Ovulation usually occurs around the middle of the cycle, around day fourteen in a twenty-eight-day pattern, although this varies widely. Cycles that are longer or shorter will have ovulation earlier or later. Understanding your signs can help you recognise this stage more accurately.

What Happens During the Luteal Phase?

During this phase, the uterus is prepared to support a potential pregnancy. After ovulation, the empty follicle transforms into the corpus luteum. This structure releases progesterone, which stabilises the uterine lining. Progesterone plays an important role in supporting early pregnancy if fertilisation occurs. If pregnancy does not take place, progesterone eventually drops, which leads to the start of the menstrual phase again.

Hormones Involved:

• Progesterone
• Oestrogen

Progesterone is the main hormone in the luteal phase. It keeps the uterine lining thick and ready. Oestrogen rises slightly again but remains lower than progesterone.

Physical and Emotional Changes

• Breast soreness
• Feeling bloated
• Fluid retention
• Mood changes
• Changes in appetite
• Tiredness
• Constipation in some individuals

These symptoms are often grouped under premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS refers to the physical and emotional symptoms that appear towards the end of the luteal phase. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe discomfort. Most PMS symptoms improve once progesterone drops and the menstrual phase begins.

If Pregnancy Does Not Occur:

The corpus luteum breaks down, and progesterone falls. This fall signals the body to shed the uterine lining, and the cycle returns to the menstrual phase.

How Long Does a Menstrual Cycle Usually Last?

A menstrual cycle commonly lasts between 21 and 35 days. What matters most is whether your cycle follows a consistent pattern. Changes in length may occur due to stress, thyroid conditions, polycystic ovary syndrome, weight changes, recent pregnancy, breastfeeding or other hormonal factors.

Tracking your cycle helps you identify what is typical for your body and when variations may need medical advice.

Conclusion

The menstrual cycle is a four-stage process controlled by the rise and fall of hormones. Each stage influences your physical and emotional well-being differently. By understanding the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase, you gain clearer insight into why certain symptoms appear at specific times.

If you use familiar expressions such as ‘chums,’ you already know the ‘chums’ meaning refers to your period, yet learning about the entire cycle offers deeper insight into the hormonal and physical changes that occur each month. Knowledge about the cycle helps you feel more informed, more prepared and more confident about your reproductive health.