This cheatsheet will give you an overview of the common symptoms for each cycle phase. The symptoms can be physical, psychological or both.
For each symptom, there is a physiological explanation to help you understand better what’s going on.
Symptom | Cause |
---|---|
Period (~days 0 – 3) | |
Diarrhea | Prostaglandins Low progesterone |
Feeling high | Endorphins |
Fatigue | Dehydration due to loss of blood and diarrhea Hypoglycemia |
Low appetite | Insulin sensitivity |
Mild Pain | Uterine contractions |
Severe Pain | Multiple (could require medical attention) |
Follicular (~days 4 – 10) | |
Improved mood | Rising estrogen/serotonin |
Optimism | Rising estrogen/serotonin |
Energy levels rise | Rising estrogen/serotonin |
Low appetite | Insulin sensitivity |
Libido rises | Rising estrogen |
Ovulatory (~days 11 – 14) | |
High energy levels | High estrogen/serotonin + testosterone |
Sociability | High oxytocin |
Social intelligence | High oxytocin |
Desire to bond with loved ones | High oxytocin |
Great mood | High estrogen/serotonin + oxytocin + testosterone |
Courage | High testosterone |
Competitivity | High testosterone |
High libido | High estrogen + testosterone |
Creativity | High estrogen/serotonin |
Moderate appetite | Insulin sensitivity |
Anxiety (less common) | Bad brain response to high estrogen/serotonin |