Whether you’ve recently started your period, you’re trying to conceive or just interested in learning more, it can be helpful to understand the different stages of the menstrual cycle. 

The menstrual cycle is made up of two main phases: the follicular or proliferative phase and the luteal or secretory phase¹. Within each of these phases are two smaller phases, making four phases in total. 

As each stage comes with emotional and physical changes, it can be helpful to learn how they affect you to better understand your cycle. Let’s take a closer look at the different menstrual cycle phases and symptoms. 

What is the menstrual cycle? 

The menstrual cycle involves a series of natural changes that your body goes through each month. Ultimately, the goal of the menstrual cycle is to prepare your body for pregnancy. If you don’t fall pregnant during the month, the cycle starts over and continues to repeat itself.

The average cycle typically lasts for 28 days, with each cycle starting on the first day of your period. That said, some people experience slightly shorter cycles of 21 days or longer cycles of up to 35 days¹. 

The different stages of the menstrual cycle are regulated by hormonal changes, which are characterised by two main menstrual cycle stages: the follicular phase and the luteal phase¹. As a result of the different hormonal fluctuations, many people experience a range of common menstrual symptoms across the course of their cycle, from headaches and bloating to increased energy and glowing skin. 

4 phases of menstrual cycle 

The follicular and luteal phases are the two main phases of the menstrual cycle². One will fall before Ovulation, and the other after. These two phases each have two separate stages, making four menstrual phases in total³.

Here’s an overview of each of the 4 phases of menstrual cycle and moods that often come along with them. 

1.  Menstruation

This phase marks the beginning of a new cycle. It starts with menstruation (or your period), which is the shedding of the uterine lining from the previous cycle⁴. Each month, your body prepares for pregnancy by thickening the uterus wall lining in anticipation of a fertilised egg⁵. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the uterus sheds its lining with blood, mucus and tissue exiting the body through the vagina⁶. 

During this time, hormones like oestrogen and progesterone are at their lowest⁷. As a result, many people experience common premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms in the lead-up to their period⁸, including:

• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Lower back pain
• Bloating
• Sore breasts
• Mood swings
• Fatigue  

2. Follicular phase of menstrual cycle

As one of the main phases of the menstrual cycle, the follicular phase also starts on the first day of your period, however it continues after menstruation. It typically lasts up to 14 days⁹. 

During this time, the body starts preparing for ovulation and oestrogen is on the rise. Changes in hormone levels cause the follicles in the ovaries to grow, with one follicle maturing into an egg. At the same time, the uterine lining thickens again as the body prepares for pregnancy. 

The follicular phase can bring on a number of physical and emotional changes such as: 

• Period symptoms
• Increased energy as your period ends 
• Improved mood 
• Glowing skin 

3. Ovulation 

Ovulation is the point in the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovary¹⁰. It’s the main event, so to speak. The egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus, where it has the potential to be fertilised if a sperm reaches the egg during this time¹¹. Ovulation is the most fertile time during the menstrual cycle. The ideal time to try and fall pregnant is in the three to six days leading up to ovulation and during ovulation itself¹².

Ovulation is typically characterised by several key symptoms:

• Egg white-like discharge
• Abdominal pain on one side of the stomach
• Mood changes
• Common PMS symptoms like breast tenderness and bloating¹³

4. Luteal phase of menstrual cycle

The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is the fourth and final stage, beginning after ovulation. This phase occurs during the menstrual cycle from days 14 to 28¹⁴. During this stage, the egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. The empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone¹⁵. This hormone helps maintain the uterine lining in case of pregnancy. If fertilisation doesn’t occur, progesterone levels drop, the corpus luteum disintegrates and menstruation begins again¹⁶.

During the luteal phase, people may experience PMS-like symptoms such as: 

• Bloating
• Mood changes
• Tender breasts 
• Food cravings17

How to track the different stages of menstrual cycle

Tracking the different phases of the menstrual cycle can provide you with insights into your fertility, hormonal changes and overall health. Plus, it can be a great way to learn how different stages of your cycle affect you. 

There are a number of ways you can track menstrual cycle phases and symptoms, like plotting your cycle on a calendar, using a cycle tracking app, using ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) or tracking your physical symptoms¹⁸, to name a few. Ultimately, you’ll want to find a system that works for you.

Want to learn more about your health? Explore more information on the signs of ovulation or get to know the symptoms of menopause on the Swisse Wellness Hub.

References:

1. Reed BG, Carr BR. The Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation [Internet]. Nih.gov. MDText.com, Inc.; 2018. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279054/ 
   
2. Thiyagarajan DK, Basit H, Jeanmonod R. Physiology, menstrual cycle [Internet]. National library of medicine. StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500020/ 
   
3. Cleveland Clinic. Menstrual Cycle (Normal Menstruation): Overview & Phases [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10132-menstrual-cycle 
   
4. Medline Plus. Menstruation [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. National Library of Medicine; 2017. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html 
   
5. Healthdirect Australia. Menstruation (periods) [Internet]. Healthdirect.gov.au. Healthdirect Australia; 2019. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/menstruation 
   
6. The Royal Women's Hospital. About periods [Internet]. The Royal Women’s Hospital. Available from: https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/periods/periods-overview/about-periods 
   
7. Office on Women’s Health. Top Questions About Your Menstrual Cycle [Internet]. 2017 Aug. Available from: https://owh-wh-d9-dev.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/documents/fact-sheet-menstrual-cycle.pdf 
   
8. Medline Plus. Menstruation [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. National Library of Medicine; 2017. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html
9. Department of Health & Human Services. Menstrual cycle [Internet]. Better Health Channel. 2024. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle 
   
10. Department of Health & Human Services. Ovulation [Internet]. Better Health Channel. 2022. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ovulation 
    
11. Holesh JE, Bita Hazhirkarzar, Lord M. Physiology, Ovulation [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441996/ 
    
12. The Royal Women’s Hospital. Ovulation and conception [Internet]. The Royal Women’s Hospital. 2022. Available from: https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/fertility-information/getting-pregnant/ovulation-and-conception 
    
13. Department of Health & Human Services. Ovulation [Internet]. Better Health Channel. 2022. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ovulation 
    
14. Thiyagarajan DK, Basit H, Jeanmonod R. Physiology, menstrual cycle [Internet]. National library of medicine. StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500020/    
    
15. ScienceDirect. Luteal Phase. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/luteal-phase 
    
16. Department of Health & Human Services. Menstrual cycle [Internet]. Better Health Channel. 2024. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle 
    
17. Cleveland Clinic. Menstrual Cycle (Normal Menstruation): Overview & Phases [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10132-menstrual-cycle 
    
18. Healthdirect Australia. Menstruation (periods) [Internet]. Healthdirect.gov.au. Healthdirect Australia; 2019. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/menstruation