Changing phases—it’s the constant shifts our bodies go through, from menstruation to pre- or postnatal changes, and eventually menopause. These transitions are universal, but they’re uniquely yours. At Good Clean Love, we’re here to meet you where you are and offer the support and care you deserve.

Let’s start by taking a closer look at the menstrual cycle. More than just "your period," it’s a dynamic process divided into four distinct phases: menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal.

A typical cycle lasts about 28 days, though cycles ranging from 21 to 35 days are just as natural. Each phase brings hormonal shifts, pH changes, and variations in cervical discharge, all working together to support your body’s balance.

Below, we’ll explore how these phases impact your body and what makes each one unique.

Menstruation Phase

We know this phase as our period—the start of the menstrual cycle that typically lasts three to seven days. During this time, the uterine lining, once prepared to support a potential pregnancy, is shed and released as menstrual blood. It’s a natural reset, clearing the way for the next cycle.

Common symptoms during this phase include:

• Cramps caused by uterine contractions.
• Tender or sore breasts.
• Mood swings and irritability.
• Bloating and fatigue.
• Acne brought on by hormonal fluctuations.

Hormones During the Menstruation Phase

The menstruation phase is driven by a sharp decline in two key hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal drops signal the start of your period and trigger the shedding of the uterine lining.

While this hormonal reset is a natural part of the menstrual cycle, it also has a noticeable impact on your body. Estrogen, often referred to as the "supportive" hormone, plays a vital role in maintaining energy, mood stability, and vaginal health. Its decrease during this phase can leave you feeling fatigued or emotionally sensitive. Progesterone, which helps prepare the body for pregnancy during other phases, also plummets, contributing to the body’s transition out of its preparatory state.

Does Your Period Affect Vaginal pH?

Yes, your period can impact your vaginal pH. Naturally, the vaginal environment maintains a slightly acidic pH between 3.8 and 4.5, creating the ideal conditions for beneficial bacteria like lactobacilli to thrive. These bacteria act as your body's natural defense system, maintaining balance and protecting against infections.

During menstruation, menstrual blood—a more alkaline substance with a pH of about 7.4—can temporarily disrupt this balance. This natural shift leaves your microbiome slightly more vulnerable, but it typically resolves once your period ends.

To keep everything in balance, simplicity is key. Use a pH-balancing wash designed to support your microbiome, and avoid fragranced products that do more harm than good by throwing off your pH!

How to Keep Your pH Balanced on Your Period

When your pH balance is off, your body has its own way of letting you know—usually through changes in odor. Harmful bacteria like Prevotella can take advantage of the higher pH during your period, often causing the fishy odor commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). However, it’s important to know that about half of women with BV are asymptomatic. This means they don’t experience the typical signs like abnormal vaginal discharge or odor, making it easy to overlook.

To help maintain a balanced pH and support your vaginal microbiome during menstruation:

• Change tampons or pads every 4-8 hours to reduce bacterial growth.
• Use a probiotic vaginal suppository with lactobacilli before and after your period to replenish healthy bacteria.
• Choose unscented menstrual products to avoid unnecessary disruption.
• Rinse with warm water or a gentle pH-balancing wash to support your body’s natural defenses.

Follicular Phase

The follicular phase kicks off on the first day of your period and lasts until ovulation begins. Think of this phase as your body’s prep mode—it’s laying the groundwork for ovulation while giving you a much-needed energy boost after menstruation.

Right after your period ends, your ovaries get busy forming follicle eggs, leading to a surge in estrogen. This is the phase where you’re likely to feel more vibrant, confident, and even a little flirtier (thank you, hormones!). You’ll notice your vaginal discharge changing, starting out creamy or white and becoming thinner and runnier as ovulation approaches. Pro tip: Tracking your discharge is one of the oldest and most reliable ways to monitor your fertility. Your fertile window typically spans the five days leading up to ovulation and the day after—something to keep in mind whether you're trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy.

What’s happening behind the scenes?

• Your brain’s pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), kicking your ovaries into action.
• FSH prompts your ovaries to develop follicles, each containing an unfertilized egg.
• One follicle, known as the dominant follicle, matures faster than the rest, preparing its egg for ovulation.

Ovulation Phase

Welcome to the halfway mark of your menstrual cycle—ovulation. This is the phase where your ovary releases an egg, making it the only time you can conceive during your cycle. Here’s how it works: an egg is released from one of your ovaries, travels through a fallopian tube, and heads toward your uterus. If sperm is ready and waiting during this journey, pregnancy might just be on the horizon.

Timing is everything

The fertile window—the time when you’re most likely to conceive—spans the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation itself, with the highest chances in the three days leading up to and including ovulation. Once released, the egg has a short window of opportunity, surviving for about 24 hours before it disintegrates if fertilization doesn’t occur.

This entire process is triggered by an elevated level of luteinizing hormone (LH), often referred to as the "LH surge," which signals your body to release the egg within 24-48 hours. Waves of tiny, hair-like projections in the fallopian tube then guide the egg on its way, setting the stage for potential fertilization.

Why does this matter?

If you’re trying to conceive, understanding your ovulation and fertile window is key. The fertile window typically falls 10-16 days before your next period, but cycles can vary. If yours is on the shorter or longer side, it’s worth talking to your doctor to pinpoint the best timing for conception.

Signs of Ovulation:

• Clear or stretchy cervical mucus, also known as discharge, (often compared to egg whites).
• A slight rise in basal body temperature, detectable with consistent tracking.
• Occasionally, mild lower abdominal pain on one side.

Luteal Phase

Last but usually the most memorable, the luteal phase spans from ovulation to the first day of your next period—typically about 10 to 16 days. During this phase, your body focuses on either supporting a potential pregnancy or preparing for menstruation.

After ovulation, the dominant follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. This hormone thickens the uterine lining, creating a welcoming environment for a fertilized egg. Meanwhile, estrogen levels take a dip, which can trigger the symptoms we often associate with PMS, like mood swings, fatigue, and bloating.

Can PMS Cause Vaginal Dryness?

Not directly—but the hormonal shifts that cause PMS, particularly the dip in estrogen during the luteal phase, can lead to vaginal dryness. Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining vaginal moisture and pH balance. When levels drop, the vaginal walls produce less natural lubrication, which can result in dryness or discomfort. This dip may also subtly affect your vaginal pH, leaving the environment slightly less balanced. To ease dryness, a pH-balancing vaginal moisturizing gel can help restore hydration and comfort during this phase.

Symptoms You May Experience During the Luteal Phase:

• Mood swings or irritability.
• Bloating and tender breasts.
• Fatigue or sluggishness.
• Vaginal dryness from lower estrogen levels.
• Cramps as the body prepares for menstruation.

A Step Closer to Feeling Like Yourself

Your body’s always talking—it’s just not always easy to understand what it’s saying, and that’s okay. By learning the rhythms of your cycle, you can meet your body where it is. Maybe it’s a pH-balancing gel to soothe dryness after an estrogen dip, or a self-care routine that supports your vaginal microbiome. Small steps like these add up, helping you feel more aligned and in control.

Caring for your cycle isn’t about being perfect—it’s about giving yourself the space and care to feel like you.