Think you know all about your hormone cycle? Think again. You may be surprised at how much you've forgotten, or no-one ever told you.
It's time to take control of the facts with Your Cycle Calendar and Special Date Calculator. These will help you find out when your periods fall over the next several months and whether or not they will fall on a special date.
Of course, it's important to realise that although this is a typical cycle, it is certainly not set in stone. Every woman follows her own individual rhythm, so don't worry if you don' t fit this pattern exactly.
| Day 1: |
Your period begins, expelling the unfertilised egg, cells and blood that fed it out through your cervix. Your body's oestrogen level is now at its lowest. |
| Days 2-5: |
Follicle Stimulating Hormone prompts your ovaries to start producing oestrogen again, causing one of the eggs in your ovaries to start developing. |
| Day 6: |
By the sixth day of your cycle (by which time your period is probably over) the new egg is maturing and getting ready for ovulation. |
| Days 13-14: |
It's ovulation time! The new egg is mature and leaves the follicle. You may feel a cramp during ovulation and even get a tiny drop of blood. |
| Days 15-18: |
As the egg travels down your fallopian tube, your oestrogen levels drop and progesterone levels begin to rise.
Note: It's well worth remembering that, you are most likely to get pregnant 12-17 days after the start of your period, so be extra careful with contraception. |
| Days 19-20: |
The progesterone thickens the fluid around your cervix and your uterus builds up its protein, sugar and blood supplies to nourish the fertilised egg. |
| Days 21-28: |
Your progesterone and oestrogen levels are still rising and you know what that means - sore breasts, bloating and big, bad moods! If the egg is unfertilised, your hormone levels will drop, the egg and lining will dissolve and your period will begin. |
Remember that being on the pill will control your cycle in a very different way. If you're unsure how, check the information inside your pill packet, or ask your doctor for a quick reminder about how your cycle is affected.