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 |