The 4 seasons of your menstrual cycle
In an age where performance, targets and flawless efficiency are valued, women’s bodies are often misunderstood, even ignored. The menstrual cycle is not simply a biological phenomenon punctuated by menstruation: it’s a veritable inner compass, influencing every aspect of a woman’s life : her concentration, motivation, mood, relationships, digestion, libido, energy, hunger and so on.
Understanding the four seasons of the menstrual cycle : Winter (menstruation), Spring (follicular phase), Summer (ovulation) and Autumn (luteal phase) ; enables us to better adapt to our body and its needs. This cyclical vision allows us to reconnect with what our ancestors did, while responding to the daily challenges of our generation: stress management, hormonal disorders, exhaustion, lack of motivation or regularity and depression too. It gives power back to women, enabling them to understand themselves and live better.
This article explains how each phase of the cycle impacts your life: your physical, emotional, mental and energetic state. At each stage, you’ll also discover the right plant and nutrients to support your body naturally. It’s just a sneak pick !
And if you want to go even further, the Women’s nutrition training course will help you combine nutrition with your cycle for a real, long-term transformation.
Notion to know
All cycles have these 4 seasons. I’ve developed the article with a 28-day cycle, but some women have cycles of 30, 40 or even 60 days. What’s important is to understand the reasons for this, and whether it’s in your nature or linked to a hormonal imbalance. In either case, feel free to write to me if you need advice, or to carry out the Women’s nutrition program to regulate your needs and harmonize your cycles.
Winter – The menstrual phase (Days 1 to 5)
The winter phase of the cycle corresponds to the menstrual phase. It’s the days when the body expels the uterine mucous membrane. It’s a period of withdrawal, of returning to oneself, of slowness. Energy is low, and sensitivity is heightened. The body is in a process of physiological and energetic cleansing.
How does this impact you:
- Motivation : very low, need for rest and solitude
- Concentration : more intuitive than logical, good for inner reflection
- Mood : variable, but often introspective. Heightened sensitivity
- Natural actions : meditation, intuitive writing, reading, rest, self-massage
- Physical capacity : low, need to slow down
Plant and nutrients :
- Plant : Sage officinale : antispasmodic, hormone regulator, relieves cramps
- Iron (lentils, spirulina, nettle), magnesium (almonds, bananas, raw cocoa)
Spring – The follicular phase (Days 6 to 13)
After menstruation, spring sets in. This is the follicular phase: estrogen rises, the uterine lining rebuilds, the body prepares for potential ovulation. Energy returns, as does lightness.
How does this impact you:
- Motivation : very high, desire to act, initiate, create
- Concentration : mental clarity, organizational ability
- Mood : optimistic, joyful, more social
- Natural actions : planning, vision, creation, initiating projects
- Physical capacity : on the rise, excellent phase for sports and training
Plant and nutrients :
- Rosemary : stimulates the liver (hormonal elimination), clarifies the mind
- B vitamins (especially B6), Omega 3 (chia seeds, nuts, vegetable oils)
Summer – The ovulatory phase (Days 14 to 18)
Ovulation marks the peak of feminine energy: hormonal, sexual, relational. It’s a time of maximum fertility, but also of personal radiance. The peak of estrogen and testosterone increases libido, confidence, the desire to communicate.
How does this impact you:
- Motivation : very high, relational ease, charisma
- Concentration : oriented towards communication, transmission
- Mood : empathetic, cheerful, outgoing
- Natural actions : important meetings, film shoots, interviews, speaking engagements, intimate relationships
- Physical ability : excellent, strong vitality
Plant and nutrients :
- Nettle : remineralizing, promotes mental clarity and vitality
- Zinc (pumpkin seeds), Vitamin C (blackcurrant, kiwi, acerola)
Autumn – The luteal phase (Days 19 to 28)
An often unloved phase, it precedes menstruation and can generate a great deal of tension. And yet, the autumn of the cycle is a powerful phase for finalizing, structuring, analyzing and detaching. Progesterone dominates: it encourages slowing down, but also introspection. If well lived, this phase is a moment of profound creativity and inner transformation. It’s also the time of PMS, which is often very impactful for some women. Understanding your season will enable you to adapt your actions to take care of yourself differently and stop feeling guilty when your emotions take control.
How does this impact you:
- Motivation : more variable, turned towards sorting, putting things in order
- Concentration : very good for analysis, thinking, writing
- Mood : sensitive, sometimes irritable, but also intuitive and lucid
- Natural actions : end of cycle, tidying up, taking stock, emotional sorting
- Physical capacity : declining stamina, need for rest and listening
Plant and nutrients :
- Alchemilla : hormone regulator, antispasmodic, soothing
- Tryptophan (pumpkin seeds, oats), Vitamin B6
This article gives you an idea of how important it is to know your cycles so that you can adapt your daily actions and stop having to endure your days.
Now that you know how your body can impact your daily life, I think you understand even more why you need to pay attention to your diet. Not to lose weight or gain weight, but to stay in shape for as long as possible. Your mental health, general well-being, ability to think and so on depend on understanding your body and the nutrients you give it. If you’d like to learn more, please take a look at the Women’s nutrition training program.
Hélène – Traditional Thérapist