What is the easiest way to understand and learn about menstrual hormones and phases?

From the Guidelines

The easiest way to understand and learn about menstrual hormones and phases is to use a combination of visual learning tools, such as cycle tracking apps, and educational resources that break down the complex hormonal interactions into simple, digestible modules. When learning about menstrual hormones and phases, it's essential to start with the basics, including the four main phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase, which are controlled by four key hormones: estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) 1. Some key points to focus on include:

• The fluctuations of sex hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, which affect exercise metabolism and modulate physiological responses to hypoxia 1
• The typical fluctuations of hormones during the menstrual cycle, including the sharp increase in luteinising hormone, oestrogen, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels during the follicular phase 1
• The changes in energy metabolism and substrate preferences associated with the changes in hormones, such as the improvement in glucose metabolism during the luteal phase due to high oestrogen levels 1 To make these abstract concepts more concrete, it's helpful to track your own cycle for several months to observe patterns in your body's signals, such as basal body temperature, cervical mucus changes, and mood fluctuations. Additionally, supplementing your learning with simple anatomy diagrams showing how the uterine lining builds and sheds in response to hormonal changes can help solidify your understanding. For deeper learning, consider taking a free online course specifically about reproductive health, which can break down complex endocrinology into digestible modules with animations that show hormone interactions clearly.

From the Research

Understanding Menstrual Hormones and Phases

To learn about menstrual hormones and phases, it's essential to understand the different stages of the menstrual cycle and the hormones involved. The menstrual cycle is characterized by:

• High variability in cycle length (26-35 days) 2
• A fertile phase from 5 days before to the day of ovulation 2
• Low fertility, which is dependent on cycle length and age 2
• Different hormone levels during the follicular and luteal phases 3

Hormonal Changes During the Menstrual Cycle

Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle include:

• Estrogen secretion rising during the follicular phase 3
• Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone surges at ovulation 3
• Progesterone and estrogen secretions during the luteal phase 3
• Progesterone originating from the adrenal cortex during most of the follicular phase 4
• The source of progesterone shifting towards the ovaries prior to ovulation 4

Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The phases of the menstrual cycle include:

• Follicular phase: characterized by rising estrogen levels and low progesterone levels 3
• Ovulation: characterized by luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone surges 3
• Luteal phase: characterized by progesterone and estrogen secretions 3
• Menstruation: initiated by progesterone-responsive decidual cells and executed by PGE and PGF2α, vasoconstriction, and matrix metalloprotease secretion by leukocytes 2

Learning Resources

To learn more about menstrual hormones and phases, it's recommended to:

• Study the normal menstrual cycle in women 2
• Understand the physiology of the menstrual cycle 3
• Learn about the origin and regulation of progesterone during the follicular phase 4
• Explore the relationship between ovarian hormones and cardiovascular health 5