Follicular Phase Symptoms

Learning to understand your menstrual cycle can help you become more in tune with your body, including overall health and fertility. 

And while your cycle is often time stamped by key moments, such as your period or ovulation, did you know that your cycle actually consists of two different phases? These phases are called the follicular and the luteal.

The follicular phase, the first half of your cycle, is a time centered around preparing for ovulation, a time of significant hormonal fluctuations that can affect how you feel each month. From stomach cramps and fatigue to confidence boosts and peak fertility – knowing what to expect during this time can help you feel more at ease throughout your cycle.

What Is the Follicular Phase of the Menstrual Cycle?

Let’s start with the basics.

The follicular phase meaning can be defined as the first ‘half’ of your menstrual cycle, when your body is preparing for a potential pregnancy by maturing an egg and rebuilding your uterine lining. Your fertile window also falls within the later days of the follicular phase, which is when you’re at your most likely to get pregnant.

When Does the Follicular Phase Start?

Did you know that your period is not technically its own phase of the menstrual cycle, but part of a bigger process?

The follicular phase begins on the first day you start your period and lasts until ovulation, meaning it includes not only the days you’re menstruating, but the days that follow as your body begins to prepare for ovulation. 

This is why the start of your period marks Day 1 of your cycle, rather than the end, as you may think.

When Is the Follicular Phase in Your Cycle?

In a typical 28-35 day menstrual cycle, the follicular phase days usually span the first 2-3 weeks of your cycle, but this will vary depending on the length of your monthly cycle overall. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of what an average 28-day cycle might look like:

How Long Is the Follicular Phase on Average?

The follicular phase can vary significantly for each woman in length and can last anywhere from 2-3 weeks, depending on the overall cycle length. As women age or due to certain health conditions like PCOS, this timeframe may shift. If your follicular phase is less than 10 days, this may indicate certain fertility changes, whereas a long phase of 21 days or more might be due to delayed ovulation.

Luteal vs. Follicular Phase: Key Differences

So, we’ve established that your cycle is made up of two central phases, the follicular and the luteal. These two different phases and their technical sounding names can become confusing, so let’s unpack them both, what makes them different, and what exactly happens at this time:

What Happens in the Body During the Follicular Phase?

Follicular Phase Days and Egg Maturation

Let’s now discuss in some more detail what actually is taking place during the follicular phase.

At the start of your cycle, several egg follicles begin to develop, encouraged by a rise in FSH (the follicle-stimulating hormone). Eventually, one follicle becomes dominant, which will be the one to release an egg during ovulation.

If you’re looking for a way to support your follicular phase and this important process, you could try the Mira Prenatals. Our Prenatals are packed with nutritional support like folate and vitamin D, which can influence healthy follicle development and egg quality.

Follicular Phase Hormone Levels and What They Do

Throughout your cycle, certain hormones rise and fall to help support each distinct phase – and during your follicular phase, FSH and estrogen are two key hormones at play. 

While FSH promotes egg preparation, estrogen levels will gradually rise throughout your follicular phase as your body begins to rebuild your uterine lining after your period, and triggers those noticeable cervical mucus changes. 

These hormone patterns may seem complicated, which is why hormone trackers are a great tool to help you understand these fluctuations and the different stages of your cycle. The Mira Hormone Monitor and our Wands help you track key hormones such as FSH, E3G urine metabolite of estradiol, PdG urine metabolite of progesterone and LH, and syncs automatically with our App to help you visualize your hormone trends and understand where you are in your cycle and when ovulation is due.

How Hormones Trigger Ovulation

When your estrogen levels peak towards the end of your follicular phase, an LH surge is triggered, which signals your body to release an egg – marking the end of your follicular phase, and the moment of ovulation.

Common Follicular Phase Symptoms to Watch For

Everyone’s cycle is a little different, and it’s important to focus on what is normal for you and your body. However, there are some common symptoms of follicular phase that we often associate with either the early or late follicular phase that you could try to look out for in your cycle:

Menstrual Bleeding, Cramps, and Early-Cycle Discomfort

As the early follicular phase mainly involves your period, you’re likely to experience menstrual bleeding and some potential early-cycle discomfort. Period symptoms vary for everyone, but stomach cramps, low energy, and mood swings are all common at this stage.

Energy, Libido, and Follicular Phase Mood Changes

As your period comes to an end, your estrogen levels rise, beginning to rebuild your uterine lining.

As your estrogen levels increase, you may notice an increased sense of confidence, libido, and mood boosts. For many women, this is a time of high energy and focus!

Breast Tenderness, Bloating, and Cervical Mucus

This steady rise in estrogen may bring some changes that may stand out from the rest of your cycle, including tender breasts, bloating, and cervical mucus changes.

While you may not notice or experience all of these symptoms, recognizing changes in cervical mucus can be a great window into your fertility and reproductive health. As you approach peak fertility and ovulation, you may notice it suddenly takes on a slippery, egg-white consistency.

Basal Body Temperature During the Follicular Phase

Your basal body temperature (BBT) is typically lower during your follicular phase in comparison to the rest of your cycle.

Your BBT during the follicular stage tends to sit between 97-97.6°F, and spikes after ovulation when your progesterone levels begin to rise. This means your BBT can be a key data point in identifying when you’re at your most fertile.

If you’re interested in exploring this further, consider trying the Mira Basal Body Thermometer, a tool specially designed for these readings. It also syncs to the Mira App, and with time, can help you anticipate when you’re approaching ovulation and time sex accordingly, depending on your goals. 

Long vs. Short Follicular Phase: What It Means

While the luteal phase remains quite consistent in length for many women, it's completely normal for your follicular phase to vary a little bit throughout your reproductive years. However, if your follicular phase is consistently very short or unusually long, it may be worth paying closer attention.

We can sometimes link a short follicular phase to age-related fertility changes or hormonal imbalances, potentially impacting egg maturation and ovulation. On the other hand, a long follicular phase may often be due to a longer overall cycle, which isn’t always cause for concern.

That being said, consistently long or irregular follicular phases are common in individuals with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). If you suspect this might be the case, it may be time to talk with your doctor to determine a diagnosis and decide on your next steps.

If you do have PCOS, certain OTC support such as the Mira PCOS Supplements can help support hormonal balance and promote more regular cycles, which may help alleviate certain symptoms. 

When to Talk to a Doctor About Cycle Concerns

If you notice irregularities in your cycle, such as missed periods, cycles that are consistently shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, or a lack of ovulation signs like a surge in LH, cervical mucus changes, or a BBT shift, it may be time to check in with your doctor. 

Sudden or persistent changes in your typical cycle pattern can be your body’s way of signaling that something is not quite right. The Mira Hormone Health Clinic offers one-on-one fertility coaching and medical support to help you understand your hormones and take the following steps with confidence. If you’re experiencing cycle issues or struggling to get pregnant, personalized guidance can make a big difference.

Can You Get Pregnant in the Follicular Phase?

During the follicular phase pregnancy is possible, as you’re actually at your most fertile during the last few days of this phase, right before the day ovulation happens. Considering sperm can live inside the body for up to 5 days, there’s a good chance of conception if you have sex in the late follicular phase.

Depending on whether you’re trying to avoid pregnancy or conceive, your fertile window is an important time to be aware of in your cycle if you’re sexually active.

• If you’re TTC: Try timing sex during this period to better your chances of conception. 

• If you’re TTA: Be sure to use proper protection when having sex at this time, or consider abstaining until your fertile window has passed.

Follicular Phase and TTC (Trying to Conceive) Tips

If you're hoping to get pregnant, the follicular phase is a crucial time to focus on tracking to help you predict ovulation.

Using LH strips, fertility tracking apps, or hormone monitors can help pinpoint your most fertile days with ease. Supporting egg health through good lifestyle habits, such as eating a nutrient-rich diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep, can also improve your chances of conception.

How to Track Follicular Phase Symptoms and Patterns

Tracking your follicular phase can be a great way to understand your cycle and take control of your reproductive health. Try starting with observing your key body signals, such as changes in BBT, cervical mucus, energy levels, and mood patterns.

Recording these changes, along with your energy and mood each day, can help you identify hormonal shifts and cycle stages over time. Apps like the Mira App, used alongside the Mira Hormone Monitor and Wands, can also track key hormone levels such as FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone metabolites in urine: E3G and PdG, offering a clearer view of your fertile window. 

If you’re practicing the fertility awareness method (FAM), either to get pregnant or as a natural birth control, it’s helpful to combine symptom tracking with a reliable app. 

Note: if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy, we recommend using protection when having sex during your fertile days for added confidence.

Conclusion

The follicular phase is an essential time of preparation in your menstrual cycle. While symptoms can vary, understanding your body’s signals, including changes in energy, mood, and cervical mucus, can help you feel more in control of your reproductive health. 

Whether you're TTC or simply getting to know your cycle better, tools like hormone monitors, fertility apps, and expert support make it easier than ever to stay informed and confident in your fertility journey and sexual health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get pregnant in the follicular phase?

Yes, especially during the late follicular phase, when ovulation is approaching and fertility is at its peak.

How do you feel during the follicular phase?

Many women feel low energy and experience cramps at the start, followed by a gradual increase in mood, energy, and sex drive as estrogen rises.

How to lengthen my follicular phase?

Lengthening a short follicular phase may involve addressing certain hormonal imbalances, managing stress, improving nutrition, or working with your medical professional for targeted, individual support.

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

Track from the first day of your period, which is when the follicular phase begins. This phase continues until ovulation, which typically occurs around Day 14 in a standard 28-day cycle. After ovulation, the luteal phase begins and lasts until the start of your next period, signaling the beginning of a new cycle.