Follicular Phase

The female body is a fascinating yet complex system, constantly influenced by fluctuating hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Understanding these cycles, especially the follicular phase, is key to unlocking the intricacies of women’s health and the reproductive system.

While you may know your menstruation cycle well (particularly the menstrual bleeding when the lining of the uterus is shed), the hormonal changes happening behind the scenes are just as significant. The follicular phase marks the beginning of a new cycle, where immature eggs in the ovaries begin their journey toward maturation. This process prepares your reproductive system to release a mature egg that could become a fertilized egg, initiating pregnancy.

This phase also plays a crucial role in women's overall healthcare and lifestyle. It’s important to understand how this part of your cycle interacts with factors like birth control or contraceptives, which can influence hormone levels and ovulation. Lasting from the start of menstruation to the initiation of ovulation, the follicular phase sets the stage for your most fertile time, paving the way for the maturation of eggs and the preparation of the uterus for potential pregnancy.

During the early follicular phase, your body begins preparing for a new cycle by developing primordial follicles surrounded by granulosa cells. These cells guide the oocyte (immature egg) through its development and produce important hormones like LH receptors and steroids that aid in the reproductive process.

At the start of the follicular phase—marked by the first day of your period—your body begins releasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates the maturation of ovarian follicles, with five to seven follicles (also called antral follicles or sacs) emerging in the early phase. As the phase progresses, one dominant follicle develops, fueled by its ability to express the highest number of FSH receptors. This dominant follicle prepares to release a mature egg during ovulation, while your body increases cervical mucus production and makes other changes to support fertilization.

If the mature egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining is shed during your menstrual period, and the normal menstrual cycle resets. During the luteal phase, which begins after ovulation, progesterone levels rise to support the uterine lining. If progesterone declines too early due to a luteal phase defect, it can result in difficulties maintaining pregnancy. Symptoms like breast tenderness, mood swings, and bloating can also occur as levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate.

The average length of the follicular phase is approximately 14 days, but cycle length can vary. Understanding the connection between LH levels, estrogen fluctuations, and your body’s preparation for pregnancy can help you better manage your health throughout this phase.

To support your body and optimize estradiol hormone production during the follicular phase, you should try to eat phytoestrogen foods (such as pumpkin seeds, berries, and grains). These are estrogen-rich foods that can help support your body as it produces higher levels of estradiol.

The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is often marked by increased energy and a radiant, youthful glow. This happens as estradiol and other reproductive hormones rise while progesterone levels decrease. During the mid-follicular phase, the higher levels of estrogen provide a noticeable mood boost, helping you feel more vibrant and energized. As estrogen levels rise, they also signal the reduction of FSH production, paving the way for ovulation.

At the end of the follicular phase, when your body transitions into the ovulatory phase, hormonal shifts can bring physical changes. You may experience symptoms like mild headaches or nausea as estrogen levels drop and progesterone begins to increase. These changes occur as the dominant follicle releases an egg into the fallopian tubes, preparing for potential fertilization.

The follicular phase also overlaps with the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle, during which the lining of your uterus thickens in anticipation of a possible pregnancy. This synchronization between your hormones and reproductive organs is crucial for supporting your body's fertility and overall health.

While estrogen and progesterone fluctuate throughout your ovulation cycle, the main hormone in the follicular phase is the follicle stimulating hormone (also known as FSH). In women, this hormone begins to rise in the early follicular phase and stimulates the growth of eggs inside the ovaries. It also helps manage the menstrual cycle. The surge of FSH and luteinizing hormone (also known as LH) helps stimulate progesterone production in the corpus luteum.

FSH hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and helps your body prepare for pregnancy. If your pituitary gland produces too much or too little FSH during the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle, you could experience infertility issues.

There are blood tests available that can reveal your FSH secretion levels at critical times during your menstrual cycle. For basic fertility testing, your doctor will likely recommend getting an FSH test on day 3 of your menstrual cycle. If you get an FSH test on the wrong day, you won’t be able to get an accurate insight into how fertile you are. This is because FSH levels vary naturally throughout your menstrual cycle.

If you have low FSH or luteinizing hormone levels, you may want to talk to your OBGYN about possible treatments. You may also be able to restore healthy FSH and luteinizing hormone levels on your own with help from Hertime, a natural supplement designed to help the body bring its female hormones into proper balance throughout the menstrual cycle.

Normal follicular phase length is around 14 days. A healthy follicular phase length in young women of reproductive age is anywhere between 11-13 days. However, as women age, their follicular phase length becomes shorter. A short follicular phase could indicate that your ovaries are getting older and you’re approaching menopause.

A long follicular phase could mean it takes your body more time than usual to ovulate. But don’t worry; a longer cycle shouldn’t affect your ability to go through ovulation or get pregnant.

There is a short window right at the end of your follicular phase and immediately before ovulation when you may be able to get pregnant from intercourse. Even though ovulation lasts a measly 12-24 hours, you actually have about six days to get pregnant because sperm can live approximately five days inside you. This is also known as the fertile window, and it’s about ten days to two weeks before your endometrium sloughs off and your period starts.

To increase your likelihood of detecting your body’s most fertile ovulation window, try using the basal body temperature method. To do this, track your basal temperature every morning before you get out of bed. Your temperature will rise right before you ovulate. That means your most fertile window is approximately two to three days before your temperature rises. You’ll need to track your basal body temperature for several months to detect your body’s specific pattern and get the timing of intercourse just right.

Now that you’ve gotten to this point in the follicular phase guide, you understand that your body needs to maintain a precise balance of hormones to support pregnancy. It’s surprisingly easy for your hormone levels to get out of balance and mess up your most carefully laid plans. That’s where Hertime comes in. Made with safe and effective natural ingredients, Hertime supplements can help you experience healthy menstrual cycles and balanced hormones. It could be the key to supporting your body through the follicular phase and beyond.