Ever wondered why some days you’re absolutely crushing it like a boss – tackling tasks, feeling invincible, and radiating confidence – and other days, you’re just trying to make it through without losing your cool over every little thing? 

Welcome to the ultimate guide to your body’s very own soap opera – the hormone cycle. I’m here to spill the tea on how your hormones are dancing and yelling inside your body throughout the month!

But before we take the deep dive, here’s a shocker (and slightly unfair) Hormone Showdown:

For the fellas, hormones are like clockwork – a 24-hour cycle where testosterone peaks in the morning (hello, go-getter energy) and gradually chills out by evening, leaving them ready to kick back and relax. It’s like hitting reset every day, so they’re on the same wavelength with their energy and mood most of the time.

Now, for the ladies, it’s a whole different ball game. We’re juggling a 28-day-ish monthly cycle and a daily 24-hour cycle. Our monthly cycle takes us on a journey through four phases – menstruation, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal – each bringing its own flavor of hormones, moods, and energy levels. Estrogen and progesterone are the headliners, rising and falling throughout the month, making us feel like a different person each week (and keeping things interesting).

On top of that, we’ve got our own 24-hour cycle going on too! Our bodies are multitasking pros, navigating both daily and monthly waves of hormones like the queens we are.

That being said, how exactly are we navigating these phases? What’s happening to our vibe? Let’s now, finally, dive in!

Menstruation Phase (approximately from day 1-5)

‍Alright, fam, let’s talk about that time of the month when your uterus is throwing a party, and you're just along for the ride. Tracking your cycle kicks off on Day 1, when Aunt Flo makes her grand entrance. During this phase, your progesterone and estrogen levels drop like it's hot, and then slowly start to climb back up. Cue the waterworks, mood swings, and the urge to just curl up in a blanket burrito.

Libido Check-In: The big question – to bang or not to bang? Your libido is on a bit of a rollercoaster, tbh. Some of you might be like, "Hey, let’s just put some extra lube but I need the cramp-easing orgasms now! Count me in!" While others might be thinking, "Hard pass – cramps, nausea, and blood are not my vibe." Both are totally valid, so listen to your body and do what feels right.

Pro Tip: Use this phase to let those creative juices flow (pun intended). Brainstorm all the wild ideas, but maybe hit pause on bringing them to life just yet. This is a time for planning, not executing. Stay chill, you’ve got this!
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Follicular Phase (approximately from day 5-13) 

‍Welcome to the Follicular Phase, where the vibes are high and so is your estrogen. This phase kicks off right alongside your period (creating a tiny overlap with the menstruation phase) and sticks around until you’re ready to ovulate. Think of it as your body’s very own glow-up era – energy up, productivity on point, and you’re feeling like you can conquer the world.

Libido Check-In: Get ready to channel your inner baddie. Confidence? Check. Flirty vibes? Double check. You’re radiating that main character energy, and it’s a total turn-on. The urge to get it on is rising, and you’re more than ready to take charge in the bedroom (or wherever the mood strikes).

Pro Tip: With your feel-good hormones on blast, it’s the perfect time to bring out your sex toys and vibrators to treat yourself to some solo fun or spice things up with a partner – either way, it’s your time to shine. 

‍The Ovulatory Phase (day 14) 

Welcome to the Ovulatory Phase, where your body is in full-on party mode! It’s the shortest phase, but don’t let that fool you – your estrogen levels are hitting their peak before they start to chill out. Basically, you’re still riding the high from the Follicular Phase, and the energy is electric. So, what do you do with all this ‘dancing-on-tables’ kind of energy?

Libido Check-In: Spoiler alert: your sex drive is off the charts. You’re feeling all the feels and thinking about all the things – from steamy fantasies to getting cozy with your favorite erotica. Let’s just say, if there’s ever a time to lean into your desires, this is it.

Also, just to geek out a little : Here’s why you’re feeling this way – evolution has you primed and ready because your follicular and ovulatory phase is the time when your body is most likely to conceive. So naturally, your desire for some action is cranked up to eleven. It’s Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Go get ‘em, tiger!”

Pro Tip: Your communication game is chef’s kiss right now. Use this superpower to your advantage. Whether it’s asking for that raise, negotiating your freelancing fees, sealing the deal on a promotion, or getting the best terms from your vendors – now’s the time to speak up and slay those convos. ‍

‍The Luteal Phase (approximately from day 14-28)‍ 

‍You’ve made it to the final stage, where your body is getting cozy, thickening up that uterine lining in case there’s a pregnancy in the works. It’s like your body’s way of prepping for a big reveal, but if there’s no baby on the way, the curtain drops, and you’re back to Day 1 of your cycle.

Libido Check-In: Honestly, sex might be the last thing on your mind right now. With PMS symptoms lurking around, your energy and mood might be doing a bit of a nosedive. Think: mood swings, anxiety, and just feeling off – you know the drill when your period is about to crash the party. High progesterone levels are to blame for all this, and it’s basically a major libido killer. So if you’re not feeling it, don’t stress – it’s totally normal.

Pro Tip: Some folks say ditching sugar and alcohol during this phase can make a world of difference in how you feel. Why not give it a try? If it works, you’ve got a new life hack in your back pocket! And if not, well, at least you know. Keep it chill, and be kind to yourself – you’re almost through the cycle!

The next time you’re navigating mood swings or energy dips, remember: it’s all part of the epic journey your body is on. Embrace this wild ride, laugh at the curveballs, and make the most of each phase. Give yourself a pat from my end, for owning this hormone hustle like the rock star you are! 

Also, check out our blogs on premature ejaculation and how to edge like a pro to improve your knowledge on sex

About the Author:

Hemali (she/her) is an explorer of the realms of sexuality, intimacy, and dating. She talks endlessly about the evolving landscape of feminist narratives on the big screen and makes you reanalyze the portrayal of women in mainstream culture. If you're looking for alternative conversation starters, take your pick from: Biryani, Art Fairs, or Spoken Word Poetry.