Understanding 4 Hormones During Your Period
Have you ever wondered why your mood swings, energy levels, or even your cravings seem to change dramatically during your period? It all comes down to hormones. These chemical messengers play a significant role in regulating not just your menstrual cycle, but also your emotions, energy, and overall well-being.
What are the key hormones during your period?
During your menstrual cycle, four primary hormones are at work: estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones work together to prepare your body for pregnancy each month. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, they signal your body to shed the uterine lining, which results in your period.
Estrogen and progesterone levels drop at the start of menstruation, causing the uterine lining to shed. Meanwhile, FSH begins to rise, preparing your ovaries for the next cycle. This delicate balance of hormonal changes ensures your body stays on track throughout the month.
Keep reading to uncover how these hormones interact and how they can affect your mood, energy, and overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle
- What are the four hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?
The four key hormones are:
Estrogen: Builds up the uterine lining and regulates mood and energy.
Progesterone: Stabilizes the uterine lining; low levels trigger menstruation.
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Triggers ovulation and helps the corpus luteum produce progesterone.
- What happens to your hormones during your period?
At the start of your period:
Estrogen and Progesterone: Drop to their lowest levels, signaling the uterus to shed its lining.
FSH: Begins to rise, preparing follicles in your ovaries for the next cycle.
LH: Stays low during menstruation, but spikes later in the cycle to trigger ovulation.
- Which hormone is responsible for menstrual bleeding?
Low progesterone levels are the main trigger for menstrual bleeding. When the corpus luteum (a temporary structure in the ovary) stops producing progesterone, the uterine lining breaks down and is expelled during menstruation.
- What are the signs of low progesterone?
Symptoms of low progesterone include:
- Spotting before your period.
- Irregular or missed cycles.
- Mood swings, anxiety, or insomnia.
- Do girls have more testosterone during their period?
Testosterone levels generally remain stable, but they may increase slightly during the follicular phase (after your period). This can lead to improved energy, mood, and libido in some individuals.
Hormone Levels Throughout the Menstrual Cycle
To better understand how these hormones fluctuate, let’s look at the four phases of the cycle:
- Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5):
Estrogen and Progesterone: Lowest levels.
FSH: Starts to rise to stimulate follicle growth.
- Follicular Phase (Days 6-13):
Estrogen: Gradually increases to thicken the uterine lining.
FSH: Continues to develop ovarian follicles.
- Ovulation (Day 14):
LH surge: Triggers the release of a mature egg.
Estrogen peaks, boosting mood and energy.
- Luteal Phase (Days 15-28):
Progesterone: Produced by the corpus luteum to maintain the uterine lining.
If no pregnancy occurs, progesterone and estrogen levels drop, triggering the next period.
Hormones and Mood: Why Do You Feel Different?
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone directly affect neurotransmitters in your brain, particularly serotonin, which regulates mood. This is why many people experience PMS symptoms such as irritability, sadness, or fatigue before their period.
If mood swings or severe PMS symptoms persist, it may indicate a hormonal imbalance, such as low progesterone or high estrogen.
Conclusion
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle are a normal part of life, but understanding them can help you manage your symptoms better. From estrogen and progesterone drops during your period to the LH surge during ovulation, these fluctuations affect your physical and emotional health. Knowing how your body works empowers you to take charge of your cycle and prioritize your well-being.