The menstrual cycle is a very complex process, and it could not be otherwise, since the creation of life directly depends on it. During this cycle, which is repeated during the fertile age of the woman, she goes through the same stages over and over again until the moment of conception. One of these stages is the follicular phase , and in this article we see what it is and what happens during this phase of the menstrual cycle .
What is the follicular phase
To understand what the follicular phase is, it is best to first describe the menstrual cycle . It is a cycle that ends with the release of an egg, which makes fertilization possible. Generally, it is usually accepted that the duration of the menstrual cycle is 28 days , although the most frequent fork is established between 24 and 30 days, even with cycles of less than 21 and more than 35 days. In these cases, we would be talking about polymenorrhea or oligomenorrhea.
The menstrual cycle I see is made up of different phases:
- The follicular phase , which is what concerns us, is the first to occur in the menstrual cycle. In it, the follicles develop, which contain the ovules, one of which will develop and be housed in the endometrium.
- The ovulation phase , in which the eggs mature in the ovary (into one to ensure that only one egg is released) and one of them is released when it is ready to be fertilized.
- Finally, there is the luteal phase , in which if the egg has not been fertilized, the endometrium returns to its original state and the body prepares for a new beginning of the menstrual cycle.
The follicular phase , which is what interests us in this article, is the first stage of the menstrual cycle , which begins with the first day of menstruation and usually lasts between 12 and 14 days.
The name follicular phase has a very obvious explanation. During this stage is when the follicles develop , which have inside the ovules that are not yet mature.
In this phase, the body begins to produce a hormone called FSH or follicle-stimulating hormone , which allows these follicles to develop. As they develop, the follicles produce a substance called estrogen , which in turn allows the development of the endometrium , which is the place where the egg will finally be deposited if it is fertilized by a sperm.
The follicles all house immature eggs, but only one produces an egg mature enough to be fertilized . This selection is made by the body randomly in each menstrual cycle.
At this point, many of you are surely asking yourself the same question: can you get pregnant during the follicular phase? The answer is yes , especially during the last 4 or 5 days of this phase. Although the most normal thing is that fertilization occurs during the ovulation phase, since the ovules are already more mature and the endometrium is prepared to receive the fertilized ovule.
What is the late follicular phase
Some people believe that late follicular phase refers to a longer duration of this phase, or to cases of women at an age when they might notice changes in the menstrual cycle.However, the late follicular phase refers to the last days of this follicular phase , in which the hormones FSH and LH begin to be released, and the follicles begin to develop the egg and produce estrogen. This is the last stage of the follicular phase, which precedes the ovulation phase. It is during this late follicular phase that the chances of becoming pregnant become very real.
But let’s see what happens to us on a physiological level during this phase: what are its symptoms in our body?
Follicular phase symptoms
The woman’s body is a very complex organism, and much of the blame lies with the hormones that come into play during the so-called menstrual cycle. During this cycle, the woman experiences changes in her body and even in her mood. In fact, the symptoms that indicate that we are in one phase or another of the menstrual cycle can be recognized very well .
If we talk about the follicular phase , it is a few days in which our body is preparing for a new phase of ovulation. This is reflected in numerous physical changes . For example, we will notice changes in our sexual organs or in our vaginal fluids, which are usually more liquid and of a more transparent color.
On the other hand, we will also notice other physical changes in our body. It could be said that during these days we are prettier, since the skin is smoother , the eyes have a special shine, as does the color of the cheeks, and we will even notice an increase in the size of the breasts .
In addition, changes also occur on a mental and psychological level . During these days we will feel happier and with more energy, more positive and, ultimately, more radiant. The action of estrogens also causes us to have more sexual appetite during the follicular phase.
Follicular phase duration
The duration of the follicular phase can vary depending on each woman, since not all menstrual cycles or their phases are the same in each case. But it can be said that the follicular phase begins with the appearance of the first menstruation of the month and that it lasts between 12 and 14 days . As we say, it can vary depending on each woman.In short, the follicular phase is the one that starts the entire ovulation process, a very complicated process that, if all the circumstances are right, culminates with one of the most beautiful things that exist: the creation of a new life.
