Tracking your hormone cycle may seem foreign to you and for a good reason; most of us grew up in homes where discussing the menstrual cycle was not encouraged and we often felt embarrassed or ashamed.
Simply put, tracking allows you to become more in tune with your body.
Why track your cycle?
You get a bank statement every month, which provides insight into your banking history. Similarly, your period is an indication of the last 3 months of your life – how you’re eating, sleeping, moving, handling stress and in general, showing up in life. Through greater awareness of your symptoms and how they ebb and flow throughout the cycle, you become empowered to work WITH your body instead of against it.
Your cycle is more than just the bleeding part. It’s comprised of 4 phases:
Follicular phase – experience greater energy and creativity
Ovulatory phase – your body is primed to procreate, cervical mucus changes seen
Luteal phase – move from creativity to organization and implementation
Menstrual phase – a time for going inward, being quiet and cozy
How do you track it?
The easiest way is using one of many free apps such as Period Tracker, Flow, or Clue. These apps guide you to track characteristics to your bleeding (start and end date, heaviness, length of bleeding, cramping, clots) but also hormone-related symptoms (mood, breast tenderness, cervical mucus, and acne). Once you start inputting data, the apps estimate when you’ll be getting your next bleed and when you will be ovulating.
What if you’re not bleeding?
Even if you’re not bleeding, your body still experiences these 4 phases through relation with the moon phases: waxing, full, waning and new moon. Tracking your symptoms helps you determine your rhythm to become more intuitive with your body.
How do you use this information?
Throughout the month, compare your symptoms to the previous month(s) and notice the trends. Support your body during the 4 different phases:
Follicular phase – allow yourself to do higher intensity exercise and intermittent fasting
Ovulatory phase – avoid intimacy or use barrier method if not looking to get pregnant
Luteal phase – support your stress and immune system
Menstrual phase – reduce responsibilities and allow yourself to nap
If you’re looking for more guidance regarding your hormonal concerns, book a complimentary 15 minute Discovery Call with me to see if we're in alignment.
Disclaimer: All content in this blog is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
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