“She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head,And whispered to her neighbor: "Winter is dead.”― A.A. Milne As with the “Winter is coming” blog, I am going to compare the menstrual cycle to the seasons of a year: winter, spring, summer and autumn. The average menstrual cycle is generally 28 days long, so we will use this as a guide to map out how long each season lasts. While no one is by any means average and many cycles differ in length, it make sense to track your own cycle. The second phase of a menstruators cycle is Spring,The Follicular Phase. For most menstruators this is the longest phase of a cycle as it begins at the end of your period and ends before ovulation, roughly from day 5 till day13 depending on your cycle length. From about the third or fourth day of your period you may notice a gentle upswing of oestrogen kicking in, bringing along refreshed positivity and increased energy. How will you know you are entering your Spring? Feel a lot more social than you have over the winter days Inner spark Lighthearted Increased self esteem Many women experience a surge in sexual desire and an increase in cervical fluid. You skin is at clearest and brightest Your PMS symptoms have disappeared What is happening to your body during Spring? During this time, the follicles in your ovaries that contain your eggs start to mature thanks to FTH and one of them will ripen ready for ovulation, the others will die off. Your energy levels tend to gradually rise and there may well be a generally upbeat feeling in the air, a happy vibe! Is spring your dry season? While many women experience an increase in cervical fluid some women can also experience vaginal dryness. Low oestrogen is a common problem postnatally and perimenopause. That being said many young women without children also experience the same thing, so what’s the deal? Causes of low oestrogen: Getting on with age Being underweight Breastfeeding ‘ Hi stress levels Disordered eating Polycystic Overian Syndrome (PCOS) Gluten Intolerance Thyroid problems Medications, some including birth control. Signs of low oestrogen Painful Sex Low Sexual desire Absent or irregular periods Night sweats / hot flushes Dy skin and eyes Poor memory Disturbed sleep Bladder infections Depression Do not forget to check your breasts! Did you know that one in eight woman will receive a negative breast cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. While its one thing to know your menstrual cycle its also a great idea to get to know what your breasts are getting up to. Checking your breasts during Spring is the perfect time as pre-menstrual and menstruation hormones can cause swelling and tenderness. Breast tissue can be found all the way up to your collarbone and around the armpit area –so when checking your breasts make sure not to neglect these areas. Things to keep an eye out for: Unusual pain A change in nipple shape or nipple direction (inverted) A thick lump in the breast Skin texture changes, similar to an orange peel (think cellulite) Unusual change in nipple shape or size Nipple discharge A rash on the nipple or surrounding area. Spring is your time to emerge from your winter hibernation and face the sunny possibilities of new beginnings and possibilities. Your energy, self esteem and stamina are all on their way up, explore all the different opportunities that present themselves to you, embrace the feeling of joy. When it comes to exercise, this is the time to push yourself, HIT training, kickboxing, spinning and cycling will all get your heart pumping and blood flowing and improve your self confidence. Lots of love, See you in Autumn, Kayleigh Coutinho
