Understanding the Connection Between Your Menstrual Cycle and Sex Life

For many women, the question of how sex influences the menstrual cycle is a curious one. The menstrual cycle is not only days you experience your period, it goes beyond that. It involves the hormones, and somewhat complicated changes and interactions you might experience based on your metabolism.

Having a good understanding of the connection between sex and your menstrual cycle will help you in various ways. It will help you be in tune with your body, enhance your sexual experience, and have explicit knowledge of how hormonal changes impact libido and sensitivity. First, here are the basics of the menstrual cycle.

Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle starts the first day of your period and ends the day before your next period starts. However, a typical menstrual cycle is 28 days in most women, and mid-cycle (i.e. on day 14) is when ovulation occurs. Here are the various phases of the menstrual cycle;

• Follicular phase: This occurs within day 1-day 14. The goal is to prepare a follicle to release a mature egg so it can be fertilized and implanted in the endometrium. How this works; that the hypothalamus releases gonadotrophin-releasing hormone. This will cause the anterior pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH causes several fluid-filled follicles to rise on the surface of the ovary which contains an egg each. Eventually, one follicle dominates ( like survival of the fittest kind of thing), and within it develops a mature egg.
• Ovulatory phase (day 14): After the egg matures, a massive peak of estrogen occurs and causes the anterior pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). LH releases the egg from the follicle to enter the fallopian tubes for possible fertilization. Also, LH causes the follicle that releases the egg (called the graafian follicle) to turn into a structure called corpus luteum.
• Luteal phase (day 14-day 28): After the egg is released, the levels of FSH and LH decrease, and the corpus luteum produces progesterone. If fertilization occurs, LH continues to produce progesterone which prevents the shedding of the endometrial lining (i.e. stops menstruation). The embryo ( the fertilized egg) produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (HcG). This hormone is detected in pregnancy tests. By contrast, if fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum disintegrates leading to a drop in progesterone levels. This also prompts the shedding of the endometrial lining (i.e. start of menstruation).

How Your Menstrual Cycle Affects Your Sexual Experience

The menstrual cycle affects sexual experience in the following ways;

• Changes in libido: during the follicular phase described, there is increase in sexual desire, energy and mood. This is because your body is preparing for ovulation and there is also an increase in estrogen levels. Also, towards the end of the follicular phase, intense sexual arousal occurs and is a particularly fertile period.
• Vaginal lubrication and sensitivity: The increased levels of estrogen contribute to increased vaginal sensitivity and lubrication during the follicular phase. This heightened sexual desire and libido also happens within the ovulatory phase.
• Level of intimacy and mood changes: While you’re at your sexual peak during the follicular and ovulatory phase, the opposite is the case in the luteal phase. There is a drastic decrease in sexual desire and some women experience early PMS symptoms and mood swings.

How to Improve Your Sexual Life

The complex interactions and fluctuating levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone are the main reasons you feel the way you do during different phases of your menstrual cycle. These hormones virtually control everything; from vaginal lubrication to your energy levels, mood, and even to the sensitivity of your cervix. Therefore, incorporating products like NATURE’SFIELD EVE’S DESIRE can help manage these discomforting PMS symptoms and allow you to focus more on enjoying intimate moments.

Being informed about the connection between your sex life and menstrual cycle is crucial to help you enhance your sexual experience. By embracing supplements such as NATURE’S FIELD EVE’S DESIRE, you can feel more energized and empowered to make the best choices for your sexual health and pleasure.