The Cycle Series (Part I): Cycle 101 — Understanding Your Monthly Rhythm
I wanted to kick off The Root Cause category with a topic that’s close to my heart because it affects all of us: reproductive health.
Through every life stage, our bodies take us through changes — some weird, some wonderful, some downright exhausting. The truth is, most of us weren’t taught what to expect, how to interpret those changes, or how to respond when something feels off. We stumble through period pain, irregular cycles, mood shifts, fertility struggles, perimenopause, and menopause, often with more confusion than clarity.
And that’s my point. For too long, girls and women have grown up without truly understanding their own cycles. Without this knowledge, we end up turning to quick fixes, medications, or fads without ever really addressing the root cause.
That’s why I’m starting this series on reproductive health — The Cycle Series — breaking it all down stage by stage. We’ll look at what’s normal, what’s not, the most common challenges, the treatments usually offered, and the root cause remedies that can actually support you long-term.
This first part is Cycle 101 — an introduction to your monthly rhythm and why understanding it is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health.
Cycle 101: Understanding Your Monthly Rhythm
Why Your Cycle Matters
Your menstrual cycle is more than just “that time of the month.” It’s a vital sign — just like your pulse, blood pressure, or temperature. It tells us about your hormone health, fertility, metabolism, thyroid, and even your stress levels. Learning to understand it isn’t just about reproduction — it’s about your overall wellbeing.
The Four Phases of the Cycle
Your cycle isn’t one flat line — it’s a rhythm. Each month, your hormones rise and fall in a carefully orchestrated pattern that influences how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5 approx.)
What’s happening: Your uterine lining sheds (your period).
Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone are low.
How you might feel: Low energy, inward-focused, sometimes crampy or tired.
Follicular Phase (Days 1–13)
What’s happening: Your body prepares eggs in the ovaries; the uterine lining rebuilds.
Hormones: Estrogen rises, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) encourages follicle growth.
How you might feel: Energy lifts, focus improves, creativity and motivation often rise.
Ovulation (Around Day 14 in a 28-day cycle)
What’s happening: A mature egg is released from the ovary.
Hormones: Estrogen peaks, LH (luteinising hormone) surges, progesterone starts to rise.
How you might feel: Often at your most energetic, social, confident, with higher libido.
Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)
What’s happening: Progesterone prepares the uterine lining for possible pregnancy.
Hormones: Progesterone is dominant; estrogen dips then rises slightly again.
How you might feel: Calmer and more grounded early in this phase. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, both hormones drop toward the end, which can trigger PMS (mood shifts, bloating, fatigue, cravings).
What’s Considered Normal
Cycle length: 21–35 days
Period length: 3–7 days
Blood loss: Around 30–80ml (about 3–5 regular pads/tampons per day)
Ovulation: Typically once per cycle
Signs that may need support: very heavy bleeding, cycles shorter than 21 or longer than 35 days, debilitating PMS, severe cramps, or missing periods altogether.
How a Naturopath Can Help
This is where the root cause comes in. Instead of masking symptoms with a quick fix, we can explore:
Nutritional support (balancing blood sugar, key vitamins & minerals like iron, B6, magnesium).
Herbal support (Vitex, peony, or traditional cycle-balancing herbs — prescribed carefully).
Lifestyle adjustments (stress regulation, sleep quality, movement matched to cycle phases).
Functional testing if needed (hormone panels, thyroid, nutrient status).
Every woman’s cycle is unique, and support works best when it’s tailored.
Sev’s Final Thoughts
Your cycle isn’t a burden — it’s a built-in health report. Learning to read it gives you power, clarity, and connection to your body that many of us were never taught. This is just the beginning of the series — next, we’ll explore each phase of the cycle in more detail, some common challenges that women face, and how to move beyond symptom-masking toward true root cause support.
Sev xx
