Menstrual Cycle Hormone Chart

Your period is only one part of your menstrual cycle, but understanding how your hormones change over the course of that cycle can help you understand your body better. Menstrual cycle phases affect everything from mood and energy to overall health, so knowing these patterns can help you plan activities and manage any symptoms. 

A menstrual cycle phases chart shows you exactly how the different hormones change and interact throughout your cycle. In this article, you’ll learn what hormones are involved in your period cycle and how they change over the course of your period phases so you can get to know your body better. 

What Is a Menstrual Cycle Hormone Chart?

A menstrual cycle hormone chart is a visual representation of hormone fluctuations across the cycle. It includes two distinct phases – follicular and luteal, with ovulation occurring as part of the follicular phase. The first, follicular phase starts with your period as the uterine lining sheds and passes through the vagina. And the follicular phase ends with ovulation, when an ovary releases an egg to be fertilized. After the egg is released through ovulation, the second, luteal phase starts, where the body is busy preparing for a potential pregnancy again.

The cycle starts on the first day of your period (day 1) and days are mapped until your next period starts. Timing varies greatly, in a regular cycle with a typical 21-35 day length, the luteal phase, meaning the second half of your menstrual cycle, usually lasts between 11 to 17 days.

Hormones affect nearly every aspect of our lives – from our mood and energy levels to our ability to start a family. Staying in tune with what your hormones are doing and how they change throughout the month can help you make informed decisions for your health in general, but especially your reproductive health. Keeping track of the hormones during your menstrual cycle can be helpful for both fertility awareness and symptom understanding. 

Key Hormones Involved in the Menstrual Cycle

The key menstrual cycle hormones include estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH rises in the first part of your cycle to help follicles grow, while estradiol is produced when the follicles are developing. After estradiol reaches its peak, it triggers LH levels to surge and stimulate ovulation. If ovulation occurs, the corpus luteum forms and produces progesterone to get the body ready for potential pregnancy. Although each hormone has its own role, they work together to drive these key processes in your menstrual cycle. 

Estrogen

Estrogen is a complex hormone that does many jobs, including regulating your menstrual cycle. Its primary function is to promote follicle growth, thicken the uterine lining, and coordinate the development of the placenta during pregnancy. 

Estrogen rises in the follicular phase and peaks just before ovulation. It increases while the ovaries mature the egg and triggers the release of the hormone that facilitates egg release. It also works to thicken the uterine lining to prepare for implantation.

Estrogen receptors are distributed throughout the human body, which is why fluctuations in levels can result in a wide range of symptoms. Rising estrogen levels right before ovulation may have you feeling more energized than normal. You may also notice changes to your skin, mood, and libido – nature’s way of letting you know you’re fertile.

Progesterone

Progesterone is also known as the pregnancy hormone as it works to prepare your body for an upcoming pregnancy. Progesterone levels rise if ovulation happens and remain elevated during the luteal phase. The luteal phase, meaning the second half of your cycle, is when progesterone is helping prepare the uterine lining for implantation and stabilizing that process by preventing muscle contractions. 

If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone decreases and your period will begin. Falling progesterone levels usually result in typical luteal phase symptoms such as fatigue, breast tenderness, bloating, and an increase in body temperature. 

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

During the first half of your menstrual cycle, LH remains relatively low and stable. Shortly before ovulation, within 24–36 hours, LH levels spike dramatically in what is known as the “LH surge.” This sudden spike in levels is what triggers the release of an egg from the ovaries. Because of this, it’s common to measure LH levels as you approach ovulation to predict when you are at peak fertility. 

Testing LH levels can be helpful for fertility issues, determining ovulation, and menstrual changes since it plays a critical role in stimulating estrogen and progesterone production, while also triggering the process of ovulation. Research performed by UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School found that LH surges can be variable, but confirmed that estrogen plays a key role in the LH surge. Being able to identify and track your LH surge is helpful for getting pregnant efficiently. LH is commonly measured with a home urine test known as an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) designed to confirm if LH levels are considered elevated enough to be “surging.”

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Released by the pituitary gland during the follicular phase, like the name suggests, FSH is the menstrual cycle hormone that helps stimulate the development of ovarian follicles. The rise in FSH during the first half of your cycle stimulates the development and growth of a group of ovarian follicles, where a dominant follicle will develop and be released as an egg through ovulation.

Although FSH is not directly involved in maintaining pregnancy, without it ovulation can’t happen, making pregnancy impossible. FSH levels fluctuate with age and can signal health issues when levels aren’t aligned. 

How to Read a Menstrual Cycle Hormone Chart

While a menstrual cycle phases chart may look complicated, it can be easy to read if you know what to look for. If the chart is shown in graph format, it will show cycle days along the bottom, on the X-axis, and hormone levels on the left, on the Y-axis, essentially showing how these levels change over the course of your cycle. Each hormone will have its own line graph to show how it rises and falls during your period cycle.

These hormonal fluctuations are the key to identifying your fertile window and other health factors, so tracking them can be helpful. Tools like the free Mira App can help you keep track of your symptoms and help identify if fluctuations are natural or due to other factors. If you’re just getting started and haven’t tested any hormones yet, Mira will build a basic ovulation prediction based on key cycle characteristics like cycle length, variability, and period length. But once you start testing hormones with Mira, it uses that data to make the most accurate prediction of your fertile window, using your own unique patterns and multiple data points.

The phases of the menstrual cycle are associated with dramatic changes in the levels of each hormone. In a “normal” cycle, you should see estrogen rising in the first half, along with small peaks of FSH and LH. Before ovulation, estrogen will peak and FSH and LH will spike once more to trigger ovulation. After ovulation, in the luteal phase, you’ll see progesterone and estrogen rise again to prepare for a potential pregnancy. If no implantation has occurred (i.e., you are not pregnant), both hormones will show a steep drop to trigger menstruation.

The hormones during your menstrual cycle correlate with physical changes that occur as your body prepares for a potential pregnancy each cycle. In a review of current literature on the physiological signs of ovulation, University of Calgary researcher Martin Owen found that one of the best methods to assess ovulation is by measuring LH levels along with physical signs like cervical mucus. Knowing and understanding how these changes relate to real-life symptoms can give us valuable information about when you are fertile and highlight possible hormone imbalances.   

Menstrual Cycle Hormone Chart

Hormone Levels and Symptoms by Phase

Phases of the menstrual cycle are driven by the changes in hormone levels at different points in your cycle. Remember, though, that every individual is different and physical and emotional symptoms can vary from person to person and cycle to cycle. 

When Is the Follicular Phase? Hormones and Symptoms

The first half of your cycle is known as the follicular phase. Like the name suggests, this is when follicles develop in preparation for ovulation. The follicular phase technically begins on the first day of your period and ends with ovulation.

The follicular phase can be divided into the early follicular phase (menstruation) and the late follicular phase, based on changes in hormone levels and follicle development.

During the early follicular phase, which overlaps with menstruation, estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels. As your period ends, estrogen begins to rise, encouraging follicles in the ovaries to mature. In the later part of the follicular phase, often called the late follicular phase, estrogen continues to increase and reaches its peak before ovulation.

The latter part of your follicular phase is often known as the “feel good” phase since energy returns, skin clears, mood improves, and cervical mucus becomes wetter.

When Is Menstruation/Early Follicular Phase? Hormones and Symptoms

Your follicular phase begins with menstruation, also known as the early follicular phase. During this time, estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest points, which can contribute to symptoms like low energy or mental fog. Alongside menstrual bleeding, it’s also common to experience symptoms such as breast tenderness, cramping, muscle aches, lower back pain, and bloating.

As menstruation ends and the follicular phase progresses, estrogen levels begin to rise, marking the transition into the later follicular phase.

When Is the Late Follicular Phase? Hormones and Symptoms

The late follicular phase occurs after menstruation (early follicular phase) and before ovulation. During this stage, one dominant follicle continues to mature as estrogen levels rise. Increasing estrogen helps prepare the uterus for a potential pregnancy and signals the brain to trigger the LH surge that leads to ovulation.

As hormone levels increase, many people notice changes such as improved energy, a better mood, increased libido, and changes in cervical mucus. Fertile cervical mucus, which is often clear and stretchy, helps support sperm movement through the reproductive tract and is one of the signs that ovulation is approaching.

When Is Ovulation? Hormones and Symptoms

Your follicular phase continues after menstruation and through the late follicular phase until ovulation. When estrogen peaks, it tells the brain that an egg is ready to be released from the follicle. Then the brain releases a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that tells the ovarian follicle to release the egg. The whole process of ovulation involves the egg being released from the follicle and then traveling down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. After its release, the egg has between 12 and 24 hours to be fertilized by a sperm to achieve pregnancy. If not, the egg disintegrates and is shed alongside the uterine lining during your period. 

Natural conception is only possible with ovulation, so this milestone is crucial for fertility. Since sperm can survive inside the reproductive tract for up to five days, you are considered at ‘peak’ fertility during the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation. This is known as your fertile window. Common symptoms of ovulation include light cramps, changes in cervical mucus, breast tenderness, mood swings, and libido changes.

When Is the Luteal Phase? Hormones and Symptoms

The follicular phase is over. The luteal phase of your cycle occurs after ovulation and before your period. It is the second half of your cycle, during which the body prepares for a potential pregnancy. After a follicle has released an egg during ovulation, the empty follicle becomes the ‘corpus luteum’, which produces progesterone. Progesterone is the dominant hormone in this phase, which helps to prepare the uterus for potential implantation. 

Rising progesterone levels can cause symptoms such as fatigue, feelings of warmth, bloating, and mood shifts. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum gradually shrinks and breaks down on its own, leading to a noticeable drop in progesterone and triggering the start of menstruation. 

What Your Hormone Chart Says About Fertility

The whole point of mapping your hormones over the course of period phases is to map your ovulatory cycle. Your fertility depends on your menstrual cycle and the phases that occur within it. Charting the changes in these key hormones allows you to identify that your hormones are rising and falling as they should. A typical chart will show estradiol steadily rising for the first half of your cycle, signalling developing ovarian follicles. LH will show a steep spike, or surge (triggered by rising estrogen) that then triggers the release of an egg (ovulation). FSH indicates follicle growth, while progesterone, or its urine metabolite PdG, rises after ovulation to confirm that an egg has been released. 

A balanced diet and essential nutrients are important for fertility and pregnancy. Your body needs a diet rich in nutrients to support hormone regulation and ovulation. Mira Prenatal Multivitamins can boost your fertility hormones as they are packed with ingredients that promote reproductive wellness, maintain hormonal balance, and keep your body healthy.

Factors That Can Affect Your Hormone Chart

There are a number of factors that can affect your hormone chart. Aside from the obvious ones like stress, sleep, illness, and lifestyle, your diet can also play a big role in how your hormones are regulated and by extension, your fertility. Variations in your menstrual cycle phases are normal as cycles can change from month to month and person to person. While variations are normal, it’s the patterns you see that matter most, which is why hormone tracking can be such a valuable tool. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many things that can cause menstrual cycle irregularities and tracking can help you learn what is “typical” for you and your cycle.   

One of the most common starting points for people looking to take charge of their fertility is lifestyle modification, such as exercise and dietary changes, but it can also include nutrient supplementation therapy. This is especially true for hormonal conditions like PCOS. Several vitamins and minerals help regulate hormonal imbalances and promote ovulation. Mira’s PCOS supplements are formulated with ideal ratios to support ovarian health, promote hormonal balance, and assist in metabolic function.

Herbal teas are another gentle way to nurture hormonal health. Many have anti-inflammatory properties and offer a calming ritual to incorporate into your day. One supportive option is the Mira Fertility Tea, expertly formulated to help promote hormone regulation and reproductive wellbeing. 

How to Track Hormone Levels in Your Menstrual Cycle

Ovulation is one of the key milestones of your menstrual cycle, and there are a number of different ways to do this. Getting to know your cycle can be beneficial for a number of reasons, including family planning, reproductive health, and overall health. 

The most basic way of tracking your cycle is by following the calendar method, but this method only uses a mathematical formula to estimate ovulation and will show you very little about the hormone levels in your menstrual cycle. 

Another method you can use is the basal body temperature (BBT) method. This tracking involves taking your temperature at the same time each day (usually in the morning) and charting the results. Over time, you will be able to spot the sudden rise in temperature around ovulation and potentially predict when it will rise in the next cycle. There are, of course, limitations to using the BBT method solely to detect ovulation, as shown in joint research by the Genk Institute for Fertility Technology and the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences of Hasselt University.  

Ovulation predictor kits are another option for tracking hormones during your menstrual cycle. This home test option involves pee-on-stick type tests designed to detect the rise or “surge” in LH in your body. They don’t necessarily confirm ovulation, due to the huge inter-woman hormone level variabilities and do not measure the exact day of ovulation, but rather the rise in LH that occurs 24-36 hours before ovulation.

Technically, the most accurate way to test your menstrual cycle hormones is a blood test from a doctor. However, it requires you to visit the lab for every test and usually involves 10-15 tests per month which may not be practical for many people. This method is often combined with transvaginal ultrasounds to track hormone trends and follicle development. Although it is the gold standard for medical accuracy, it’s not necessarily accessible to everyone and can come at considerable expense.

An at-home option for tracking your hormones directly is through the use of fertility monitoring devices like the Mira Hormone Monitor. Using our wands, you can track key hormones (and their metabolites) in urine like estradiol (E3G), LH, progesterone (PdG), and FSH in a simple and non-invasive way. You get precise daily hormone level readings, similar to those from a lab, and can monitor your hormonal map over time through dynamic charts on your smartphone with the Mira App. Not only will you gain insight into your hormonal patterns, but you can clearly pinpoint ovulation with a high degree of accuracy and track multiple hormones, not just LH. 

When to See a Doctor About Hormone Imbalances

Although your hormones naturally fluctuate, when they are unbalanced you may start to notice other signs. 

The most common signs of hormone imbalance include:

• Difficulty getting pregnant

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• Irregular or missed periods

• Acne and/or oily skin

• Hair loss or thinning on the head

• Excessive hair growth on the face, arms, back, chest, or abdomen

• Unexpected weight gain

Whether you are actively trying to conceive (TTC) or just want to understand more about your health, if you are experiencing any of the signs listed above it may be worth a visit to your doctor. This is especially true for new or persistent symptoms, or if they are interfering with your day-to-day life. 

If you suspect your hormones are out of balance, it may be worth having your hormones tested with Mira’s Panorama Fertility Lab Test. This test provides you with five detailed reports – including a Fertility Health Report, Ovarian Reserve Report, Hormonal Balance Report, Thyroid Function Report, and Menstrual Cycle Rhythm Report. This information can help you better understand your symptoms and fertility and give you an indication of whether or not you should speak with your doctor about your hormone health. 

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Key Takeaways

Understanding how your hormones change over the course of the month can give you key insights about your fertility and overall health. There are a number of ways you can keep track of these hormones ranging from low-tech like the calendar method and OPKs to more technical options like Mira’s Hormone Monitor.

Since hormones affect our lives so much, tracking them in a hormone chart can help you gain awareness around patterns and signals. Being aware of how your hormones impact your health can help you plan your routines around energy levels, manage symptoms better, support fertility, and even improve your mental wellbeing. Hormone charts can also help you notice any irregularities so you can seek help if needed.

No matter what your fertility goals are, it is empowering to take control of your hormones and reproductive health by tracking your menstrual cycle hormones and phases. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does one calculate the different stages of the menstrual cycle?

There are a number of ways you can calculate the phases of the menstrual cycle. Simple tracking in a calendar can tell you your period dates, but other methods like tracking basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and hormone testing can help you calculate the different stages and understand your body better.

Why do periods change dates?

Periods can shift by a few days each month due to tiny changes in hormone levels. Stress, weight, and even starting a new medication can all affect your levels and cause slight changes in the dates. 

Can your period skip a month?

Yes. The usual cause of a missed period is pregnancy, but sometimes stress, hormonal changes, and even weight changes can cause your period to skip a month, so it’s always recommended to consult a doctor.

What are some common hormonal disorders that affect the menstrual cycle?

Hormonal disorders like PCOS (now called PMOS), thyroid disorders, hyperprolactinemia, amenorrhea, and premature ovarian insufficiency are all affected by the hormones of the menstrual cycle. 

What does a hormone graph of the menstrual cycle show during ovulation?

During ovulation, a hormone graph of the menstrual cycle will show a spike in LH, usually along with FSH followed by a steep drop. Estradiol will also peak during this time. 

When is the ovulation phase?

There is no “ovulation phase.” The ovulation occurs when the egg is released from the ovary and is the most fertile time of your cycle. In a regular cycle with a typical 21-35 day length, it commonly occurs between days 11-21 or 11-17 days before your next period.