Your menstrual cycle comes with a rollercoaster of symptoms — from bloating, mood changes, acne breakouts, and more. Every stage of the menstrual cycle comes with its own host of signs, but what happens when you notice something more out of the ordinary? This article will cover the unexpected symptoms of the menstrual cycle and when you might expect them.
What Are the Stages of the Menstrual Cycle?
Everyone with a period goes through their menstrual cycle for different lengths of time. The average cycle lasts 28 days, but it stretches as far as 35 days or as little as 25 days. There are two main phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The two phases can be further broken down into four stages.
The Menses Phase
Your menstrual cycle kicks off on the first day you bleed on your period. If you didn’t become pregnant, your uterus sheds a thickened lining. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most people bleed for 3 to 5 days.
The Follicular Phase
The follicular phase also begins on your first day of bleeding. It gets its name because your ovarian follicles or fluid-filled sacs — which contain an egg — start growing. Your estrogen levels also start rising during the follicular phase. This makes the lining of your uterus thicker to support a newly fertilized egg if you become pregnant.
Between days 10 and 14 of your menstrual cycle, the ovarian follicle eventually develops into a mature egg.
Ovulation
Estrogen also triggers the body to create luteinizing hormone (LH), which triggers the ovary to release the egg (ovulate). The mature egg becomes a corpus luteum, which travels through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus.
The Luteal Phase
Once ovulation occurs, the luteal phase starts. Most people are in this phase from days 15 to 28 of their menstrual cycle. As the corpus luteum travels to the uterus, it also begins making progesterone. This hormone helps prepare the uterus for a pregnancy.
If the egg is fertilized by a sperm, it implants into the uterus and develops into a fetus. If the egg isn’t fertilized, your progesterone levels drop. This triggers the uterus lining to start shedding, and the menses phase begins again.
Symptoms Throughout Your Menstrual Cycle Stages
As your body progresses through the stages of the menstrual cycle, your hormone levels constantly rise and fall. These fluctuations can be responsible for many of your period symptoms, even when you’re least expecting them. The following sections will highlight some unexpected signs you may not link to your menstrual cycle at different stages.
Unexpected Symptoms of the Menses Phase
It’s normal for many people to feel uncomfortable during their period. Your menses phase begins when you start bleeding, so it’s common to experience abdominal pain and cramping along with vaginal bleeding.
However, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you notice more unusual signs like:
- Extremely heavy bleeding, like soaking through pads or tampons within an hour or two of replacing them
- Large blood clots, which can be the size of a quarter
- Dark brown or black blood as you start or finish your period
Unexpected Symptoms During the Follicular Phase and Ovulation
Not everyone experiences any unusual symptoms during the follicular phase and ovulation. Some people may notice signs like:
- Abdominal cramping and soreness
- Bloating
- A higher sex drive
- Changes in mood and appetite
- Some light spotting or vaginal bleeding
Unexpected Symptoms of the Luteal Phase
During the luteal phase, the corpus luteum is constantly releasing progesterone. This hormone is responsible for many of the symptoms you experience in the days leading up to your period. Over 90% of people with periods experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which includes tender breasts, fatigue, mood swings, bloating, cramps, and headaches.
If a fertilized egg doesn’t implant in your uterus, your hormone levels significantly drop. This sudden decrease can make your period symptoms worse.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
A smaller portion of people experience more severe symptoms with a condition known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Along with PMS symptoms, you may experience more unexpected symptoms like:
- Severe anxiety, depression, or panic attacks
- Changes in your appetite, which can include food cravings and binge eating
- Mood swings
- Irritability and anger
If you think you have PMDD, talk to your doctor or gynecologist. They’ll offer treatment options like hormonal birth control or antidepressants to better manage your symptoms.
Short and Long Luteal Phases
If your luteal phase is shorter or longer than normal, you may notice some unexpected symptoms. People with shorter luteal phases have more irregular periods, spotting in the days leading up to their period, and fertility problems. Those with longer luteal phases tend to have hormonal problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
To learn more about short and long luteal phases and how to manage them, talk to your doctor.
