The Hormonal Dance

Our hormones constantly change throughout the day, affecting our energy levels, metabolism, sexuality, and emotions.

Day 1 of the Menstrual Cycle:
This marks the end of one egg cycle and the beginning of the next as the follicle-oocyte begins to be stimulated. Our menstrual cycle is a natural process that changes daily, much like the Moon.

Daily Hormonal Changes:
Every day, our hormone levels and proportions vary, creating a delicate balance that keeps our bodies in harmony.

Recognizing and reconnecting with these natural rhythms is important. By understanding and adapting to our cyclical phases, we can embrace our true selves with dignity, honor, love, and respect. This connection is the path to reconciling with our femininity and acknowledging the life-giving power we possess.

The Menstrual Cycle: 2 Phases and 4 Stages

Our menstrual cycle is divided into two main phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase. Each phase brings unique hormonal changes that influence our mental and emotional experiences.

Follicular Phase (Day 1 to Ovulation):

Luteal Phase (Ovulation to the Start of Next Menstruation):

Each phase affects brain activity differently:

Follicular Phase: The left hemisphere, associated with logic, analysis, and language, is more active.

Luteal Phase: The right hemisphere, linked to creativity, intuition, and spatial awareness, becomes more active.

This shifting balance between brain hemispheres reflects the cyclical nature of our menstrual cycle, showing how hormones profoundly impact our mental and emotional states. Understanding these phases helps us appreciate the unique qualities and strengths each phase brings to our lives.

The Four Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is divided into four distinct phases: preovulatory, ovulatory, premenstrual, and menstrual. Each phase plays a crucial role in the egg's maturation journey and the hormonal changes that influence our bodies and minds.

Preovulatory Phase:
Prepares the egg for release, with rising estrogen levels.

Ovulatory Phase:
Marks the transition between the follicular and luteal phases, characterized by the release of the egg from the ovary. This phase epitomizes creativity and readiness for potential fertilization.

Premenstrual Phase:
Progesterone levels rise, enhancing emotional sensitivity and intuition.

Menstrual Phase:
The shedding of the uterine lining, resetting the cycle.

The Ovulatory Stage

During the ovulatory stage, estrogen peaks, and the egg is released from the ovary. This phase bridges the follicular phase, where estrogen levels rise, and the luteal phase, dominated by progesterone.

To determine which ovary is ovulating, the body provides subtle clues. Gently massaging the area around the ankles can reveal heightened sensitivity:

Left Ankle:
Corresponds to the ovary associated with artistic, reflective, and feminine qualities.

Right Ankle:
Links to the ovary associated with analytical and masculine characteristics.

By appreciating these cyclical shifts, we can better understand and harmonize with our unique and ever-changing selves.

From the moment we are conceived, we carry the potential for life. In our ovaries, we are endowed with around 500,000 follicles, each holding the promise of an immature egg. As we reach childbearing age, these follicles begin their journey towards maturation, each with the potential to create new life.

At the start of each menstrual cycle, a group of follicles is selected to grow and develop. These chosen follicles compete to become the dominant one, destined to release a mature egg. As the cycle progresses, the dominant follicle emerges, growing to about 2 centimeters in size. At this crucial moment, it bursts open, releasing the egg in the process of ovulation.

The Beauty of Ovulation

Ovulation represents the nurturing archetype of motherhood, akin to the warmth of summer, the fullness of the full moon, and the fluidity of water. It's a time to embrace our ability to nurture and foster life. Feeling proud and whole in this capacity, we extend compassion, support, and guidance to those around us, embodying a mother's love.

This phase encourages us to:

Harmonize and Strengthen Bonds:
Foster deep connections with loved ones.

Offer Support and Wisdom:
Become beacons of empathy and understanding.

Embrace Intuition and Guidance:
Flow with inner wisdom, transforming into vessels of love.

As we honor this phase, we nurture a world filled with compassion, care, and the enduring essence of creation.

Emerging Spiritual Awareness

Spiritual awareness grows when we recognize our deep connection with nature and the divine within us. It's about marveling at the bond that intertwines us with Mother Earth and our maternal lineage, fostering a profound sense of belonging and interconnectedness.

This awakening manifests as a surge of sexual-creative energy, empowering us to embrace feminine passion in every aspect of our lives. Whether it's through our dreams, attire, cuisine, or daily interactions, we express this vibrancy in our walks, embraces, songs, dances, and bodily expressions.

Our bodies, in all their forms, become channels of the divine, embracing nature's elements—sun, rain, or wind. It's about opening ourselves to the creative forces within, trusting our innate wisdom, and expressing it through art, writing, music, gardening, planting seeds, or meditating in nature.

While this path is enchanting, it's important to acknowledge that many of us have internalized the societal role of caregiver, often to the point of exhaustion. Recognizing and honoring these cyclical forces within us requires conscious practice and self-care.

Remember, these energies reside not only in menstruating women but in everyone. The journey of self-discovery and self-love is unique and ever-evolving, shaped by our individual experiences and perspectives.

Nurture your connection with nature, cultivate self-compassion, and embrace the cyclical rhythms of your being. As you delve deeper into your spiritual awareness, you'll discover a wellspring of creativity, passion, and vitality that enriches your life and radiates outwards to touch the world around you.

Our Eggs

Each egg is a seed, a vessel of immense creative potential. With every egg, we witness a remarkable journey of growth and transformation.

At 20 weeks in our mother's womb, our ovaries hold an astonishing 20 million eggs. From that point forward, we begin to lose these precious cells. In a profound sense, our future children have already been within their grandmother's womb.

When an egg leaves its ovarian home, it embarks on a thrilling leap into the unknown, guided by the mesmerizing movement of the fallopian tubes, seeking fertilization or eventual reabsorption.

On a biological level, the egg becomes the discerning selector, sending out signals to attract the sperm it deems most compatible.

Our "creatures," our children and creations, are the fruits of our labor and passion, given freely to the world with love. We nurture them, release them, and sometimes let them go. We do this with unwavering trust, like a tree surrendering its ripened fruits without expectation, driven solely by the instinct to preserve and perpetuate life.

This act of creation is not about control or force. Each creation carries its unique gifts that evolve and adapt according to our life stage and the needs of the world around us.

In these moments of surrender, we learn to let go, release our expectations, and flow with our wild, untamed nature. We allow the creative power within us to manifest, guided by profound wisdom for the betterment of all beings.

The Balance between Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland, and the Ovaries

The intricate dance of hormones in the menstrual cycle is orchestrated by a harmonious collaboration between three key players: the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. These glands act as messengers, exchanging signals and influencing each other's activity to ensure the smooth functioning of the menstrual cycle.

Hypothalamus:

Nestled deep within the brain, the hypothalamus acts as the master conductor, regulating the hormonal symphony. It releases a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which signals the pituitary gland to produce two important hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Pituitary Gland:

Located at the base of the brain, the pituitary gland receives GnRH from the hypothalamus and responds by releasing FSH and LH into the bloodstream. FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of follicles in the ovaries, while LH triggers ovulation, the release of a mature egg.

Ovaries:

These almond-shaped glands, nestled on either side of the uterus, house the precious eggs that await fertilization. As FSH guides the follicles' development, they produce estrogen, the hormone responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the dominant follicle transforms into a corpus luteum, which releases progesterone, ensuring the endometrial lining's stability.

This delicate balance between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovaries is essential for maintaining the menstrual cycle and ensuring reproductive health. When any of these glands malfunctions, the cycle can become irregular or even cease altogether.

It's important to nurture our ovaries, recognizing their vital role in our overall well-being. Just as we cherish our heart and lungs, we should appreciate the power of our ovaries, the source of our feminine essence and potential for creation.

Remember, our ovaries are not just physical organs; they represent our inner strength, vitality, and capacity for love. By understanding their role in our menstrual cycle and respecting their delicate balance, we can empower ourselves to live healthy, vibrant lives.

While anatomical science doesn't recognize ovarian pain as a specific medical condition, many women experience cramping or twinges in the pelvic region during ovulation, known as "intermenstrual pelvic pain." This pain is thought to be caused by the rupture of the follicle that releases the egg, which can irritate the abdominal walls and even cause minor bleeding.

It's important to note that not everything women feel in their ovaries has been fully explored or understood by medical science. The stimulation of the follicle to mature and release each egg is a complex process that involves a delicate interplay of hormones from the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. This intricate system can influence our overall well-being and how we experience our bodies.

During ovulation, the uterus also undergoes changes, shifting its position to a more vertical orientation. This positioning is thought to facilitate the absorption of sperm and increase the likelihood of conception.

Ovulation is a natural and essential part of the menstrual cycle. In each cycle, a follicle develops, filled with fluid and measuring approximately 2 centimeters in diameter. This follicle protects and nurtures an egg, ensuring its maturation until it's ready to be fertilized and potentially create new life.

When fertilization occurs, the follicle releases the egg, which is then guided by the uterine tube towards the uterus. The uterine tube's gentle movements assist the egg in its journey, ensuring its safe passage. If fertilization does not occur, the follicle transforms into a corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to maintain the lining of the uterus until the next menstrual cycle begins.

Dear Sister

It's time to reclaim the joy of being a woman.
No more pain, no more frustration, just pure love and self-care.
Let's embark on a journey of embracing our femininity with open hearts and radiant smiles.

I believe that every woman deserves to experience the fullness of her femininity without being hindered by discomfort or negativity. Let's break away from the societal norms that suppress our natural rhythms and embrace the beauty of our cyclical nature.

This journey starts with self-love and compassion. It's about understanding our bodies, honoring their needs, and treating ourselves with the tenderness we deserve. It's about cultivating a sense of empowerment and self-worth, knowing that our unique experiences do not define us but rather make us extraordinary.

Together, we can create a world where women feel understood, supported, and celebrated for their femininity, every single day of the month. Let's banish the pain, embrace the joy, and radiate the love that lies within us.

Celebrate Life!

Love Susann
Holistic Aromatherapist & Naturopath
Founder of elliotti.com