Because your estrogen level and energy level are aligned, they rise and fall together. When estrogen is high, you’re likely feeling high energy. When it’s low, the opposite is true. And since estrogen is linked to cortisol and testosterone levels, which naturally increase energy levels, hormonal fluctuation can impact your productivity throughout your cycle. 

When progesterone is high, you may notice an increase in your energy levels. Progesterone is responsible for stimulating your brain to produce a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which can make you feel drowsier and may help you sleep better. In turn, more sleep typically means higher energy levels. When progesterone is low, though, you may experience off-kilter sleep patterns, which can decrease your energy levels. 

Let’s explore more about how the menstrual cycle and hormones affect your energy levels throughout the four phases.

Changes in energy levels

Menstrual Phase

Between the cramping, bleeding, and hormonal shifts, you’ll likely feel less energized on your period. As your estrogen levels rise, your progesterone levels will drop. Because of this hormonal decline, you may notice a decline in your energy, too. 

Follicular Phase

As estrogen and progesterone levels rise, your energy levels will too. At this point, you may feel like your most productive, energized self! 

Ovulation Phase

Estrogen and testosterone levels peak during ovulation, which can make you feel more energized. 

Luteal Phase

Your progesterone levels will peak then decrease rapidly (if you don’t become pregnant), which may impact your sleep patterns and leave you feeling low on energy. 

Managing your energy levels

During periods of low energy, allow yourself to relax and practice self-care. Utilize this time to do yoga over high-intensity workouts. Go to bed earlier or sleep in to make up for any sleep loss. You can also eat foods that are proven to give you more energy like oranges, bananas, nuts, and leafy green vegetables. Basically, anything with carbs, protein, and fiber can help increase your stamina. 

It also might be helpful to track your period through an app. This way, you’ll know more or less when to expect your most productive and least productive days, and tailor important tasks around your cycle. Having a better understanding of your cycle doesn’t just help you plan for pregnancy, it can also help you plan your workout routine, social calendar, and more. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• How the menstrual cycle impacts your immune system
• The menstrual cycle and your hormones

Sources

• Plant, Renee. “How Your Energy Levels Change on Your Menstrual Cycle.” Verywell Mind. April 13, 2021. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-your-energy-changes-on-your-menstrual-cycle-5115670#the-follicular-phase

Some of the tell-tale signs of menstruation include cramping and bloating — but there’s much more to it than that. Yes, the menstrual cycle affects your body, but it also affects your immune system too.

Your cycle and your immune system

Women may experience a cold, cough, throat ache, or other flu-like symptoms before their period. Sex hormone fluctuations, in part, are to blame for why you may be feeling crummy. 

According to a 2018 study published in The Autoimmune Journal, these drastic changes to progesterone and estrogen before menstruation can affect your immunity before and during your period. Plus, as you experience more inflammation (AKA cramping and bloating), your immune cells might be lower. As a result, it will be harder for your lower immune system to fight off a virus or bacteria that’s already brewing. Additionally, because your menstrual cycle affects your circadian rhythm (the natural process that regulates sleep patterns, hunger cues, hormone release, and period), this can also throw off your immune system. When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your health may suffer as a result. 

For more about how the four phases of your period cycle affect your immune system and how to manage your health, read below. 

Changes in the immune system

Menstruation Phase

With a rise in estrogen and a drop in progesterone, your immune system will decrease and inflammation will increase. 

Follicular Phase

As your body prepares for an egg release, levels of estrogen will increase to thicken the uterus lining for a possible pregnancy. Your immune system will be stronger, thanks to the increase in estrogen. In general, women have higher immunity than men because of how estrogen impacts their bodies. However, estrogen can also pose the opposite effect on the immune system and cause women with high levels of estrogen to become more prone to autoimmune disorders.

Ovulation Phase

Estrogen levels and your immune system decrease to accommodate the possibility of sperm entering your body for a possible pregnancy, according to research from the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. But at the same time, it allows bacteria and viruses to attack the body. 

Luteal Phase

Progesterone rises and peaks to prepare for your period when a pregnancy doesn’t occur. As a result, your immune system may decrease. According to a 2017 study in Mucosal Immunology, progesterone can lower the ability to fight infections. 

How to boost your immune system

According to Harvard Health Publishing, you can strengthen your immunity by eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, not smoking, washing your hands, getting adequate sleep, and trying to minimize stress. “Healthy immune system warriors need good, regular nourishment,” they state. So, if you don’t like eating fruits and vegetables,taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement can strengthen your immune system too. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• The menstrual cycle and your hormones
• How the menstrual cycle impacts your mood

Sources

• Sabine, Oertelt-Prigione. “Immunology and the menstrual cycle.” The Autoimmune Journal. (6-7): A486-92. Web. May 2012. 
• Khan, Deena. “The Immune System Is a Natural Target for Estrogen Action: Opposing Effects of Estrogen in Two Prototypical Autoimmune Diseases.” Frontiers in Immunology. 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00635. Web. January 2016. 
• Williams, Sarah. “Why Women Are More Prone to Infections When Ovulating.” Live Science. May 30, 2013. https://www.livescience.com/36067-women-prone-infections-ovulating.html
• Hall, O., Klein. “Progesterone-based compounds affect immune responses and susceptibility to infections at diverse mucosal sites.” Mucosal Immunology. 10, 1097–1107. Web. April 2017. 
• “How to boost your immune system.” Harvard Health Publishing. February 15, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system

Hormones play an important role in the three phases of your menstrual cycle: the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. Learn more about the menstrual cycle and your hormones here!

How do hormones impact the way you feel?

Throughout your cycle — which can last between 25 to 35 days — hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone can affect how you feel, the foods you crave, your sleep patterns, and more. Understanding how hormones fluctuate throughout your cycle can give you a better sense of what to expect during each phase.

Learn more about your menstrual cycle and hormones.

Learn more about the hormones in the menstrual cycle

Estrogen

During the follicular and menstruation phases, estrogen plays a dominant role. Estrogen levels will decrease as you begin menstruating, which can leave you feeling fatigued. When your period ends, estrogen will increase and you’ll likely regain your energy. As the follicular phase continues until ovulation, estrogen levels increase and you might notice glowing skin. Estrogen levels peak right before ovulation, which is also your fertile window for pregnancy. If an egg isn’t fertilized, estrogen levels will drop while progesterone increases. 

Progesterone

During the luteal and ovulation phases, progesterone plays a dominant role. Progesterone levels rise during the second half of your menstrual cycle (the luteal phase) as the egg prepares for a possible pregnancy. If you become pregnant, progesterone levels will continue to rise to grow and thicken the uterine lining for a developing baby. If you don’t, progesterone will dip, your uterine lining will shed, and you’ll start bleeding. Rising levels of progesterone are also responsible for PMS symptoms.

Follicular Stimulating Hormone

Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) rises during menstruation and follicular phase and hits its peak during ovulation. FSH stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary. One of these follicles will become an egg that will be released during ovulation. Though there aren’t many main symptoms from FSH that you may feel, it is an essential component of the menstrual cycle. 

Luteinizing Hormone

Luteinizing hormone (LH) remains low throughout the menstrual cycle with the exception of the LH surge around mid-cycle which triggers ovulation. You may notice ovulation pain, or mittelschmerz, due to the LH surge. After ovulation, LH helps to create the corpus luteum that releases progesterone which helps to maintain a potential pregnancy if the egg is fertilized. 

Testosterone

Testosterone affects your skin, hair, and other physical features. A decrease in testosterone can lower your sex drive. An increase in testosterone can suppress your normal menstruation and ovulation. It can also be an indicator for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder in women. Testosterone increases during the luteal phase and peaks during ovulation, which can make you feel more energized. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• How the menstrual cycle impacts your mood
• How the menstrual cycle impacts your sleep

Sources

• E. Sterling. “Hormone Levels and PCOS.” Contemporary OB/GYN. November 8, 2011. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/hormone-levels-and-pcos

Have you ever felt more tired a few days before or during your period? Well, that’s no coincidence. According to a survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, 30% of women reported disturbed sleep during their period, while 23% reported disturbed sleep the week before their period. Read on for more information about the menstrual cycle and sleep.

The menstrual cycle and sleep

In general, women experience more insomnia than men because of hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle. The two major female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, shift up and down during the menstrual cycle, which can impact your sleep patterns. According to Yale Medicine’s Jennifer Chen, progesterone has a mildly sedative effect while estrogen has been shown to stimulate the brain and cause insomnia. 

Due to lack of sleep, you may find yourself feeling drowsy during the day and tired during your period. Still, experts don’t know why some women experience more severe PMS symptoms — like insomnia — than others. One reason, The Sleep Foundation suggests, is because some women may react to hormonal changes differently. Plus, if women also have a serotonin, magnesium, or calcium deficiency, then their sleep disturbance can become worse. 

For more information about your relationship with sleep during the menstrual cycle, read below.

The menstrual cycle and sleep

There are four different phases during the menstruation cycle that might affect your sleep in various ways. 

Menstrual Phase

Right before you bleed and when your period starts, your estrogen and progesterone levels will drop. The decrease of these hormones can make it harder for you to fall asleep. As your period starts, progesterone levels will increase. 

Follicular Phase

This phase occurs between the first day of your period and ovulation. Your estrogen levels will rise during the follicular phase, which helps to set off ovulation. 

Ovulation Phase

A surge in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels will occur. The egg will pass through the fallopian tube and towards the uterus. Unless it meets a sperm during this time, the egg will typically last 24 hours. Estrogen levels decrease while progesterone levels increase. At this point, your sleep pattern will likely get back on track.

Luteal Phase

The follicle will produce hormones and release an egg to prepare you for a possible pregnancy. At this time, progesterone levels will peak and can regulate your sleep patterns.

Body temperature’s effect on sleep

Hormonal shifts will change your body temperature and can disturb your sleep, too. According to the University of Michigan Health, your body temperature dips right before your ovary releases an egg. About 24 hours after the egg’s release, progesterone increases and your temperature rises for several days. Think of it like this: When your body is too hot or too cold, you have trouble falling asleep. This can result in more tossing and turning throughout the night. 

Catching more Zzzs during your cycle

Looking to get more sleep? Here are a few ideas! 

• Try avoiding or cutting back on caffeine and any other stimulants. 
• Add some movement or exercise into your day. Exercise has been found to help people sleep, by ensuring you’re tired enough by bedtime and increasing your amount of deep sleep. 
• Keep your bedroom cool to stabilize your body temperature when it’s time to get some shut-eye. 

Those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), which is a severe form of PMS, are known to have more difficulty regulating their sleep because of their reduced response to melatonin (a sleepytime hormone). Treatment for PDD includes lifestyle changes (like exercise and nutrition), and medications like SSRIs, TCAs, or oral contraceptives.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• How the menstrual cycle impacts your skin
• How the menstrual cycle impacts your energy levels

Sources

• Suni, Eric. “PMS and Insomnia.” Sleep Foundation. Sleep Foundation. September 15, 2020. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/pms-and-insomnia
• Chen, Jennifer. “Women, Are Your Hormones Keeping You Up at Night?” Yale Medicine. Yale Medicine. July 10, 2017. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/women-are-your-hormones-keeping-you-up-at-night
• “Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting.” University of Michigan Health. October 8, 2020. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw202058
• “Exercising For Better Sleep.” John Hopkins Medicine. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercising-for-better-sleep
• Parry, B L. “Circadian rhythms of prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone during the menstrual cycle and early versus late sleep deprivation in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.” National Library of Medicine. 62(2):147-60. Web. May 1996. 
• Shazia, Jehan. “Sleep and Premenstrual Syndrome.” J Sleep Med Discord. 3(5): 1061. Web. 2016

More often than not, menstruation gets a bad rap. We often hear, “Are you PMSing?” or “Do you have your period?” as insults. Because of these catch-all phrases, periods have become synonymous with moodiness and carry a harmful stigma. While you can develop mood swings before or during your period, there’s much more to this side effect than meets the eye.

What causes mood swings during your menstrual cycle?

PMS (premenstrual syndrome), which describes symptoms including mood swings and irritability, starts about a week before your period and generally subsides about four days after the first day of your period. PMS symptoms can occur up to 14 days before menstruation, which is when your body releases an egg, causing estrogen and progesterone levels to drop. This hormonal shift can cause your serotonin levels to drop and bring about feelings of sadness and irritability. According to a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health in 2011, mood swings are the most common symptom of menstruation. 

How to manage mood swings

When it comes to managing PMS mood swings, no one remedy fits all. Regulating your mood when you’re experiencing PMS symptoms is similar to how you’d regulate your mood any time of the month. Exercise, nutrition, and supplements can increase your serotonin levels, the key hormone that stabilizes your mood. 

Nutrition: Limit your caffeine intake during your period since it’s known to decrease sleep, which can  increase moodiness. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, calcium such as low-fat milk, yogurt, almonds, and kale have been proven to reduce fatigue and moodiness during PMS. 

Exercise: According to a 2019 study published in The Journal of Education and Health Promotion, aerobic exercise and yoga movements are effective in treating PMS symptoms, like improving mood and behavior. Any exercise that gets your heart rate up will release endorphins (body chemicals that relieve stress and pain) and may counteract the hormone changes induced by PMS. Additionally, the Office of Women’s Health encourages physical activity during your menstrual cycle to help you feel better emotionally and physically.

When should mood swings be addressed by a doctor?

Experiencing mood swings is the most common PMS symptom, according to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Women’s Health. But if you’re not feeling like yourself  for a significant amount of time after your period, then you may want to consult with your provider. There are many ways to treat symptoms of PMS including SSRIs and the combination birth control pill. 

As we mentioned, periods have been associated with mood swings, but they’re not always the source of those feelings. You deserve to get the help you need to feel like yourself. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• How the menstrual cycle impacts your sleep
• How the menstrual cycle impacts your skin

Sources

• Freedman, Ellen. “Core Symptoms That Discriminate Premenstrual Syndrome.” Journal of Women’s Health. Web. 20(1): 29–35. January 2011. 
• Fathizadeh, Nahid. “Evaluating the effect of magnesium and magnesium plus vitamin B6 supplement on the severity of premenstrual syndrome.” Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. Web. (Suppl1): 401–405. December 2010.
• “Physical activity and your menstrual cycle.” US Department of Health. US Department of Health. December 27, 2018. https://www.womenshealth.gov/getting-active/physical-activity-menstrual-cycle
• Veghela, Nirav. “To compare the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga on Premenstrual syndrome.” Journal of Education and Health Promotion. Web. 8: 199. 2019. 
•  Klemm, Sarah. “Premenstrual Syndrome.” Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. April 5, 2021. https://www.eatright.org/health/pregnancy/fertility-and-reproduction/premenstrual-syndrome
• “Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. February 7th, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20376780

The better you understand your unique menstrual cycle, the better you can understand your overall health.

Although the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, a cycle can actually be a few days longer or shorter and still be considered normal. Cycle length can also vary a little from cycle to cycle and still be considered normal.

Hormonal changes in the body trigger each cycle phase: menstrual, proliferative, ovulatory, and luteal. And while your period is the most recognizable phase, the other three are equally important and impact your energy levels, immune system, moods, and sleep patterns differently. Let’s dive in.

What are the menstrual cycle phases?

The body performs different functions throughout the four phases of the menstrual cycle, each of which plays a unique role in the reproductive process:

Proliferative: During the proliferative phase, ovarian follicles (structures in the ovary that each contain a single egg) mature and prime themselves for ovulation. Your hormones perform different functions that are geared toward the goal of producing an egg for fertilization during ovulation, the next phase. Although many follicles start maturing during the proliferative phase, usually only one eventually proves dominant, and becomes the sole egg available during ovulation.

Ovulatory: The ovulatory phase begins as a hormone surge forces the dominant egg to break free from its follicle and nest in a fallopian tube, where it will disintegrate if not fertilized within about 24-36 hours. Ovulation is the only phase in which you can get pregnant. But because sperm can live for up to five days in the reproductive system, if sperm is present in the short time leading up to ovulation, this can also result in conception.

Luteal: Following ovulation, the follicle that released the egg transforms into a corpus luteum, a structure that produces the pregnancy hormone progesterone. Progesterone thickens the lining of the uterus in preparation for a fertilized egg to make its home there for the next nine months. If conception occurs, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone to maintain a healthy pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum ceases its progesterone production after about two weeks. This drop in progesterone signals menstruation to begin.

Menstruation: The onset of menstruation is considered to be the start and end of a menstrual cycle, as it signifies the end of an opportunity for fertilization for one egg (and the beginning for millions more). Menstruation is triggered when the corpus luteum of the last cycle’s unfertilized egg ceases to produce progesterone, usually occurring about two weeks after ovulation, causing the uterine lining to shed, along with a bit of blood. The length and intensity of a period varies from person to person and cycle to cycle, but usually lasts between 4-6 days. Once the period stops, the proliferative phase begins again, starting the reproductive process anew.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• The menstrual cycle and your hormones
• Tracking fertility during the proliferative phase
• 5 signs you might be ovulating

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Menstrual cycle: What’s normal, what’s not.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 4/16/2013. Web.
• “Patient Fact Sheet: Am I Ovulating?” ASRM. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2014. Web.

Call your healthcare provider if you experience these complications

When new symptoms appear, you might find yourself wondering if you should wait things out or call your healthcare provider right away. Some reasons that you should, indeed, go ahead and call your provider include:

If you experience unusual bleeding

Everyone’s periods are different, and what’s normal for one person might not be normal for another. Some women have light periods, others heavy. And for some women, irregular periods or spotting between regular periods might be par for the course. But if bleeding becomes different than what you’re used to – like, say, bleeding profusely during your period (enough to change pads or tampons every hour) or spotting between periods when this just isn’t typical for you- then you’ll want to be in touch with your healthcare provider to figure out just why these changes are occurring.

If you experience a lot of pain during your period

Many women experience cramping during that time of the month. But if you experience pain during your period that is extremely painful or incapacitating, pick up that phone and be in touch. Major pain could be a sign of a bigger problem. And even if it’s not, you shouldn’t suffer, and your provider can work with you to try to find ways to mitigate your discomfort.

If you notice vaginal itching, burning, odor, or an unusual discharge

Vaginal discharge is common – and you likely know what sort of a discharge is normal for you during different stage of your cycle – but if you experience a discharge that’s a bit different than normal, especially if it’s accompanied by an unusual odor, then touch base with your healthcare provider. Same goes for if you’re experiencing any vaginal itching or burning. These symptoms could be signs of vaginitis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or a yeast infection.

If you experience discomfort when you urinate

If you experience pain or discomfort when you urinate, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Sometimes pain while peeing might also be accompanied by a strange odor or discharge, or by fever, chills, or pain in your back. If you’re experiencing any of these issues – you guessed it – get in touch with your provider.

If sex is painful

Sex should be pleasurable, but if you’re experiencing unwelcome pain, give your healthcare provider a ring. There are a number of reasons this discomfort could be happening, and talking through just what exactly is painful with your provider can help you get back in the saddle – comfortably – in no time.

If you experience pain, fullness, or discomfort in your abdominal or pelvic area

If you have discomfort in your abdomen or pelvis area, talk things through with your provider. There are a range of reasons you might be experiencing feelings of pain, fullness, or other discomfort – everything from pelvic inflammatory disease, to ectopic pregnancy, to fibroids, to cysts, to endometriosis, to infection. This really runs the gamut, and an expert opinion is needed to determine whether the pain is a symptom of something critically threatening, or benignly uncomfortable.

If you have trouble getting aroused or climaxing

If you notice that you’re having trouble when getting intimate, either getting aroused or orgasming, your healthcare provider can help you work through these problems. Whether there are some underlying physical issues at play or it just takes a few small refinements in the bedroom, you deserve to have a healthy sex life, and your healthcare provider can help you work through these concerns.

If your period suddenly stops

If you’ve been sexually active and your period suddenly stops, the most likely explanation is that you’re pregnant. If you’ve been actively TTC, this might be just what you’ve been hoping for! You know what to do – pee on a stick and call your healthcare provider. And if you haven’t haven’t been sexually active, then obviously there might be something else at play, so be in touch with your provider to figure out what’s going on.

If you’ve been TTC for a while

Just what is a while? If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year (or six months if you’re over 35) and have not yet had a positive result, it could be time to be in touch with your healthcare provider to see if there are any underlying issues that might be preventing you from getting pregnant or if you need some extra help along the way.

If you have questions or concerns about your current method of birth control

If you’re not presently TTC and aren’t feeling so hot about your current birth control – maybe you’ve been experiencing side effects or just don’t think you current option jives with your lifestyle (perhaps you’re forgetting to take that daily pill?) – then your provider can help you find another option that will work best for you.

If you notice any other major changes

You know what’s normal for your body. And you might have noticed that much of the above list involves changes that signal something is different. So as a general rule, any major change that signals something is out of sorts is definitely worth being in touch with your healthcare provider. What if it’s something that doesn’t seem quite so major but definitely seems slightly off? Give them a call anyway. Err on the side of caution, and let your provider give you some guidance on what is likely a-okay and what warrants an office visit to have things checked out further.

Sources:

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Benign breast problems and conditions.” ACOG. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, June 2012. Retrieved September 26 2017. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Benign-Breast-Problems-and-Conditions.
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “FAQ136: Evaluating infertility.” ACOG. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, June 2012. Retrieved September 26 2017. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Evaluating-Infertility.
• “Annual Exams.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/annual_exams.html.
• “Contraceptive Options.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/contraceptive_options.html.
• “Infections and Pelvic Pain.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/infections_pelvic_pain.html
• “Menstrual Problems.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017.
• “Period Problems.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/period_problems.html.
• “Sexual Health.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/sexual_health.html.

Are you pregnant or is your period just late? Here’s how to tell

Learn more about actual pregnancy symptoms before you start getting concerned.

The science behind symptoms

Pregnant or not, your body starts releasing progesterone after you ovulate. This hormone keeps getting released and is at its highest point around five to seven days after ovulation. If a woman is pregnant, her body continues to produce progesterone in high amounts to help sustain the pregnancy. If she’s not pregnant, her progesterone levels decrease, and she’ll start her menstrual period.

Thanks also to progesterone, the symptoms of early pregnancy and your period are nearly identical. Cramps, fatigue, dizziness, breast tenderness – all early signs of pregnancy, but also possible signs of your period coming.

What about light spotting a week after ovulation? It could indicate implantation bleeding, but most women don’t experience this symptom and spotting can happen for other reasons.

What about nausea? This symptom is typically attributed to hCG, the pregnancy hormone, but it can be caused by other things, too (including PMS).

In the weeks between ovulation and a pregnancy test, many women “symptom spot”; that is, they take note of certain physical symptoms and think that they are definitely signs of early pregnancy. Is symptom spotting so wrong? Absolutely not, and it can even be kind of fun, as long as you know that only a blood test can tell you for sure if you’re pregnant.

Is there anything I can look for?

Probably the most reliable physical symptom of early pregnancy is a missed period. Noticing that your breasts are getting increasingly sore, or experiencing symptoms that you don’t usually get around the time of your period, are also signs that you could be pregnant. But again, a blood test will be the best way to know for sure.

Final thoughts: things to keep in mind

The bottom line is that without a blood test, it’s nearly impossible to know for sure whether you’re pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so it’s really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.

If you’re paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel – does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms.

Finally, make sure you’ve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether it’s sooner or later, when you get that BFP, you’ll be glad you did!

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.
• Lori A Bastian, Haywood Brown. “Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of early pregnancy.” UptoDate. UptoDate Inc., Jul 2017. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-early-pregnancy?source=search_result&search=waiting%20for%20pregnancy%20test&selectedTitle=1~150.
• “Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.” ACOG. FAQ126 from the American College of Obstetricans and Gynecologists, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Morning-Sickness-Nausea-and-Vomiting-of-Pregnancy.

No period, not pregnant: What does it mean?

The rollercoaster of emotions that come with taking a pregnancy test is often stressful, but don’t give up just yet. Here’s what it means to have no period for a while and still not be pregnant.

Reasons why a test could be wrong

Here are a couple reasons why you may have received a false negative.

• Taken before the first missed period: Pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, a hormone that the body starts to make when an egg has been fertilized. Because the tests look for the presence of this hormone, it is possible that they miss the hormone in the very early stages of pregnancy, mainly in the days leading up to the first missed period. For the most accurate readings, it’s best to wait until at least the missed period, if not a few days after.
• Fluids diluting urine: Yes, you should still be drinking lots of water! But taking a pregnancy test later in the day can sometimes mean that urine is diluted and hCG is more difficult for the test to detect. The hormone levels are highest in the morning too, so for the most accurate results try to take the test as early in the day as possible, preferably right after you wake up.
• Test directions not followed correctly: We don’t mean to suggest that you would miss a step . . . but could you have missed a step? Some tests require waiting a specific amount of time before reading the results. Pregnancy tests also have an expiration date, so we recommend buying new ones as opposed to using old ones that could be in your house.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, it’s always a good idea to read and closely follow the directions on home pregnancy tests, even if you consider yourself a pro by now. There’s also always the possibility that the negative test is accurate, and your period is simply a few days late. Home pregnancy tests are great, but after a positive result, it’s still important to visit your healthcare provider for a blood test to confirm.

Sources

• “Pregnancy test.” MedlinePlus. US National Library of Medicine, Oct 4 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.

How to time your pregnancy test properly

Here’s what you should know about this timing – and the science behind our recommendations.

First, understand how home pregnancy tests work

In the earliest stages of pregnancy, a fertilized egg will begin to implant in the uterine lining. This happens around four to six days after conception. Once implantation starts, the placenta starts producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone. Home pregnancy tests work by determining if there is hCG present in urine – and, as you might know, home pregnancy tests ask you to pee to a stick to measure this.

Because hCG doesn’t show up until after implantation begins, if you don’t wait a few days to make sure the embryo has had a chance to implant, there’s the chance of getting a false negative – meaning that the pregnancy test reads as a “negative” even though pregnancy has occured. Implantation usually happens six to twelve days after ovulation, so the absolute earliest that you can test for pregnancy is a week after ovulation. For even more accurate results, it’s preferable to wait a few extra days so that levels of hCG can rise to more detectable levels. Waiting a few days after the first day of a missed period usually guarantees the most accurate results from a home pregnancy test.

Utilize Ovia Health to help with pregnancy testing

When it comes to pregnancy test timing, you probably know it’s best to take it at least one or more days after your next period is due. But your menstrual and ovulation cycle can fluctuate every month, meaning certain days of your cycle might change on a monthly basis and make it harder for you to know exactly when it’s time for you to take a pregnancy test. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that nearly 20% of individuals who are pregnant get a false negative, because they’ve miscalculated their period or it arrived later than expected that month.

This is where tracking is helpful. Different ovulation symptoms can suggest that you’re in a certain part of your cycle. For example, in the luteal phase, which is when the egg implants and your body starts making the pregnancy hormone, your body releases progesterone, which can affect your moods, breast tenderness, and cervical mucus. Spotting might happen as a sign of implantation bleeding, too. These kinds of symptoms tell Ovia what phase of your cycle you’re in.

When you log your data consistently, Ovia takes all of the information you provide, like your period dates, cervical fluid consistency, basal body temperature, symptoms, and moods, and uses it to predict when you’re ovulating and when is the best time to take a pregnancy test. If Ovia tells you to test on a day that’s different from what you expected, this could be because of natural fluctuations in your cycle, as well as symptoms that suggest to Ovia that you’re at a different day in your cycle than you previously thought.

Other things to consider

Cycles fluctuate month by month, and it can be difficult to know for sure when one phase of your cycle ends and another begins. And if you’re patiently waiting for some positive news, we know you can’t get it soon enough – so we’re here to help. By consistently logging your symptoms and moods, you’re providing Ovia with important information that will help us predict the best – and most accurate – day for you to take a pregnancy test.

Sources

• “Home use tests: Pregnancy.” FDA. US Food and Drug Administration, Jun 5 2016. Web.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2 2015. Web.
• Connie Matthiessen. “Week 01 to Week 04 of Pregnancy.” HealthDay. HealthDay, Jan 20 2017. Web.