2/4 The Menstrual Cycle. The Follicular Phase
After talking about menstruation last week, let’s continue our exploration of the menstrual cycle. This time, let’s take a closer look at the follicular phase. The menstrual cycle has several phases: the follicular phase, the ovulatory phase (or ovulation) and the luteal phase.
Periods are part of the follicular phase. Because menstruation is such an important event in the hormonal cycle, we decided to dedicate a separate article to it.
However, the follicular phase is not limited to just menstruation.
What exactly is happening in our body at this specific moment in the cycle? Can we feel certain symptoms? What is the purpose of the follicular phase? What does “follicular” even mean?
Louloucup continues to unravel the female cycle for you. We believe it’s essential to understand everything that’s going on in our body. It’s key to knowing and understanding yourself, easing doubts and worries – in short, to living your daily life as a woman more peacefully!
In this article:
I – The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle
Let’s continue exploring the menstrual cycle. The female cycle is a repetitive process that goes on and on. It starts over again and again with the aim of preparing the woman’s body for a possible fertilisation.
The menstrual cycle is made up of several phases. It’s usually said that a cycle lasts 28 days. In reality, it varies slightly, which is normal. It’s never exact to the day. It can be a bit shorter (25 days) or a bit longer (35 days). Whatever the length, the follicular phase is at the beginning of the cycle and usually corresponds to the first fourteen days.
Fourteen days, or roughly half of the female hormonal cycle. These fourteen days always begin with menstruation and always end with ovulation, which is another phase of the cycle. Here too, the duration varies from one woman to another and from one cycle to the next. On average, a period lasts about a short week, between 3 and 6 days.
Remember that a hormonal cycle always starts on the first day of your period. When your period arrives, a new cycle begins, and with it a new follicular phase.
II – Questions / answers about the follicular phase
✤ What happens during the follicular phase?
During the follicular phase, the endometrium is shed because no fertilization occurred in the previous cycle. In other words, this is when your period or menstrual bleeding happens. This occurs because levels of oestrogen and progesterone are low. At the end of your period, everything kicks off all over again.
The follicular phase is also called the pre-ovulatory phase. In other words, everything is being put in place to prepare for ovulation, which will occur around day 14 of the cycle.
The hypothalamus releases a hormone called GnRH. This in turn stimulates the pituitary gland (another gland in the brain). The pituitary then secretes FSH, a hormone essential for stimulating the follicles.
In your ovaries, a great many follicles have been present since birth. They contain oocytes. You can imagine a follicle as a little sac. When FSH is secreted, these follicles wake up and become active. They are stimulated. Only one manages to stand out and reach maturity: the dominant follicle. It’s called the Graafian follicle. It releases an egg that is ready to be fertilized. At this point, you’re no longer in the follicular phase but in ovulation.
The mature follicle produces oestrogens. These begin to prepare the uterus for a potential fertilization of the egg. Oestrogen levels peak 24 hours before ovulation.
✤ How long does the follicular phase last?
In an average 28-day cycle, the follicular phase normally lasts 14 days. However, it’s the phase that can vary the most. It can therefore become longer or shorter. That’s why it can be difficult for some women to know exactly when they ovulate (and therefore harder to get pregnant). During perimenopause, the follicular phase tends to shorten.
Doctors consider a follicular phase short if it lasts less than 10 days. In that case, the released oocyte will not have had time to fully mature.
Conversely, a follicular phase is considered long when it lasts more than 25 days. In that case, cycles are longer. The woman will have fewer ovulation windows in a year than a woman with a standard 28-day cycle. PCOS is one possible cause, among others.
✤ What symptoms can occur during the follicular phase?
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you can experience very different states during this phase. When you have your period, you may feel extremely tired or have varying degrees of pain in your lower abdomen or lower back.
Not all women experience these symptoms. And they can vary from one cycle to another.
Once your period is over, you feel lighter. You have more energy, you’re in a good mood and full of positive vibes. Oestrogen levels gradually rise day by day – that’s completely normal.
This is truly the calmest, most positive phase of the cycle. No pain, no PMS, no bad mood. You don’t experience cravings, you’re motivated to exercise and you stay more focused on your tasks.
✤ Can you get pregnant during the follicular phase?
This is not the time in your cycle when you’re most fertile; however, be careful, your ovulation can occur earlier than expected. Always keep in mind that it’s important to use protection at any point in your cycle if you’re not trying to get pregnant.
3 Louloucup products you absolutely must have! 🤩
Affordable plus-size period underwear
You’ve got it: the follicular phase refers to the process of forming a viable, reliable, fertilizable oocyte. However, its journey is full of hurdles and can run into several obstacles.
The follicular phase can be compromised if there’s a problem with the brain glands, the pituitary and hypothalamus. If the hormone secretion needed for proper follicle development doesn’t happen or is insufficient, the process is disrupted.
PCOS, which we’ve already mentioned, is the leading cause of infertility worldwide. The follicular phase can also be affected by stress, jet lag, significant weight loss or gain. Early menopause can be another reason.
Whatever the issue, you absolutely must talk to a qualified healthcare professional. Solutions do exist to help you live your menstrual cycle more comfortably.
Don’t forget to pin this article 😉
