Menstrual Cycle 101: A Weekly Guide To An Empowered Life
About Me
Chelsie Diadhiou is a New York based writer, editor, and mother on a mission to inspire women to use their innate power to consciously create dynamic lives. From motherhood and sexuality, to lifestyle and culture, she explores various themes in her quest to stimulate thought provoking discussion about what it means to be a woman in today’s world. Her philosophy is that everything a woman does must come from a space deep within.“Did you know that there are actually four distinct phases of your monthly menstrual cycle that have the power to influence your entire life?”
After talking to lots of other women, I have come to the conclusion that many of us received a very limited education regarding our menstrual cycles. As girls, what we learned about our period centered on the 5-7 days a month when we bleed.
Sure, we were taught what to expect: Cramping, bloating, mood swings, and of course, blood. Then we were given sanitary napkins with instructions on how to use them – period. (pun intended!)
“Unfortunately, what most of us didn’t learn about our menstrual cycle is the power, potency, and Spiritual purpose of our Moon time.”
Did you know that there are actually four distinct phases of your monthly menstrual cycle that have the power to influence not only your body and moods, but your entire life?
(Writer’s Note: Technically, your menstrual cycle is broken into 3 phases: follicular, ovulatory, and luteal. However, this article includes the menstrual phase to offer a more holistic approach to your monthly cycle.)
Menstrual Cycles 101
The term ‘menstrual cycle’ refers to the fluctuation of various hormones that occurs in women over the course of a month during the childbearing years, from the onset of her first menses until menopause.
“The length of a woman’s menstrual cycle is measured from the first day of 1 menstrual period to the first day of her next menstrual period.”
The average menstrual cycle is around 28-29.5 days – the same as the Moon’s monthly lunar cycle. (Note: Cycle lengths do vary among women, and can range between 21 to 35 days.)
And just like the moon, each phase of our cycle has it’s own energetic influence on our bodies and moods, and the power to impact our entire lives!
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Your Menstrual Month: A Weekly Guide To An Empowered Life
Read on to find out how each week of your monthly cycle affects you, and get tips on how you can tap into the powerful energies of each phase!
Week #1: Follicular Phase – “Initiate”
This is the phase when an egg follicle on an ovary prepares to release an egg, and occurs during the week following the end of your menstrual period.
“The rise in estrogen levels naturally boosts physical and mental energies, sharpens short term memory and verbal fluency, and enhances decision making skills.”
Tip: The keyword of this phase is ‘initiate’, so this is a great time to begin new projects and creative endeavors. Use this increased energy to start taking action towards your goals!
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Week #2: Ovulatory Phase – “Create”
This is the week when a new egg is released, ready to be fertilized. It is also the mid-phase of your monthly cycle, and typically lasts 3-5 days.
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all peak during this phase, along with increased creativity, magnetism, confidence, and added energy to fuel your work and your life!
The keyword of this phase is ‘create,’ and it’s energy is ripe, fertile, and overflowing with potential to bring forth new life! So this is the time to plant the seeds for what you want to give birth to in your ‘psychic womb.’
Not only can we potentially conceive a child during this phase, we can also become “energetically pregnant,” allowing us to nurture our creative ideas and visions – anything we desire to birth into the world!
Tip: This phase favors creativity, so channel the extra physical, mental, and emotional energy into art by making music, painting, writing, or any other right brain activity.
Bonus Tip: To connect even deeper with the powerful energy and creative potential of your ovaries, try this ovary breathing exercise!
MUST READ: The Magical Powers Of Your Menstruation
Week #3: Luteal Phase – “Organize”
This phase occurs 10-14 days before your period begins, and it’s keyword is ‘organize!’
As progesterone levels increase, attention to detail is enhanced, so this is a prime time to get organized.
Tip: Use this window of time to declutter, file away any unnecessary paperwork, and sort out what is or isn’t working for you. Let go of all that is no longer serving you to clear space for what will!
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Week #4: Menstrual Phase – “Visualize”
This is the phase when menstrual bleeding occurs, lasting an average of 3-5 days (Note: Please see your doctor if you experience abnormally heavy periods, or for bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days).
During this phase, all of the major sex hormones are low.
“Physical energies decline as intuitive abilities heighten, which makes this an ideal time to go within, meditate, and visualize.”
Tip: Set aside some time this week to meditate. Journal and record any messages that come up for you. Reflect on the past month, specifically, what has worked for you and what has not. Visualize and set your intentions for what you desire to manifest in the month ahead.
“Each month, the physical shedding of our uterus brings with it the opportunity to be completely reborn on all levels – mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. ”
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Your Feminine Power Source
Much of the pain and discomfort we experience at various times of the month is because we have not learned how to honor our delicate feminine biochemistry, nor our bodies’ unique and ever-changing needs.
“Your period is your feminine power source.”
When you learn to work with your body’s natural cycles – and not against them, you align with the true purpose and power of your menstrual cycle.
What phase of your cycle do you prefer? How do you nourish yourself during your menstrual cycle? Comment below. I love to hear form you.
By Chelsie Diadhiou | Featured Artist: George Atherton
Secrets to a Beautiful & Healthy Vagina
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