{"id":4950,"date":"2024-09-16T12:09:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T17:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/?p=4950"},"modified":"2024-09-16T12:09:17","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T17:09:17","slug":"feeling-unusually-tired-anxious-or-sore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/feeling-unusually-tired-anxious-or-sore","title":{"rendered":"Feeling Unusually Tired, Anxious, or Sore? How Menstrual Cycle Stages May Lead to Unexpected Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your menstrual cycle comes with a rollercoaster of symptoms \u2014 from bloating<\/a>, mood changes, acne breakouts, and more. Every stage of the menstrual cycle comes with its own host of signs, but what happens when you notice something more out of the ordinary? This article will cover the unexpected symptoms of the menstrual cycle and when you might expect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Stages of the Menstrual Cycle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone with a period goes through their menstrual cycle for different lengths of time. The average cycle lasts 28 days<\/a>, but it stretches as far as 35 days or as little as 25 days. There are two main phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The two phases can be further broken down into four stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Menses Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your menstrual cycle kicks off on the first day you bleed on your period. If you didn\u2019t become pregnant, your uterus sheds a thickened lining. According to the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>, most people bleed for 3 to 5 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Follicular Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The follicular phase also begins on your first day of bleeding. It gets its name because your ovarian follicles<\/a> or fluid-filled sacs \u2014 which contain an egg \u2014 start growing. Your estrogen levels also start rising<\/a> during the follicular phase. This makes the lining of your uterus thicker to support a newly fertilized egg if you become pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between days 10 and 14 of your menstrual cycle<\/a>, the ovarian follicle eventually develops into a mature egg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ovulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Estrogen also triggers the body to create luteinizing hormone (LH)<\/a>, which triggers the ovary to release the egg (ovulate). The mature egg becomes a corpus luteum<\/a>, which travels through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Luteal Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once ovulation occurs, the luteal phase starts. Most people are in this phase from days 15 to 28 of their menstrual cycle<\/a>. As the corpus luteum travels to the uterus, it also begins making progesterone<\/a>. This hormone helps prepare the uterus for a pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the egg is fertilized by a sperm, it implants into the uterus and develops into a fetus<\/a>. If the egg isn\u2019t fertilized, your progesterone levels drop. This triggers the uterus lining to start shedding<\/a>, and the menses phase begins again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms Throughout Your Menstrual Cycle Stages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As your body progresses through the stages of the menstrual cycle, your hormone levels constantly rise and fall<\/a>. These fluctuations can be responsible for many of your period symptoms, even when you\u2019re least expecting them. The following sections will highlight some unexpected signs you may not link to your menstrual cycle at different stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unexpected Symptoms of the Menses Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s normal for many people to feel uncomfortable during their period. Your menses phase begins when you start bleeding<\/a>, so it\u2019s common to experience abdominal pain and cramping along with vaginal bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you notice more unusual signs<\/a> like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n