Embrace the Mythology of Your Menstrual Cycle: The Transformative Wisdom of Estrogen & Progesterone
If you’ve ever wondered why you feel like two slightly different versions of yourself throughout the month — welcome.
You’re not broken, dramatic or “too much.”
You’re cyclic, and your hormones are speaking in a language most of us were never taught to understand.
I’m Karinda — naturopath, menstrual cycle educator & fertility awareness teacher — and today we’re diving into the mythology woven through your menstrual cycle. Not the airy-fairy kind… the grounded, biologically-backed, deeply human kind.
Grab a tea, get comfy, and let’s explore the two archetypal energies that shape your month: estrogen and progesterone.
Pssst… this is an open-to-the-public peek at an exclusive blog usually reserved for Karinda’s Corner email subscribers. Join the KC crew here, or check out the Oh My Menses podcast — a recent episode is what birthed the idea for this blog.
The Myth of Two Halves: Estrogen the Enthusiast, Progesterone the Truth-Teller
Let’s talk about the two main halves of your menstrual cycle — and the hormonal personalities behind them.
We’re not labelling them “good” or “bad.” They’re simply different.
And both are powerful when understood.
🌸 Follicular Phase: Estrogen, the Enthusiast
This is the first half of your cycle. It technically begins on the first day of full-flow bleeding (your period), and includes the very distinct Menstrual Phase and Ovulation. This is the half of your cycle that is variable in length — it will go for as long as it takes for ovulation to happen. When your period is late from illness or stress or travel, it’s because your follicular phase has been extended.
What happens in the Follicular Phase of a menstrual cycle?
Characterised by rising oestrogen, the Follicular Phase is named as such because it’s the follicles within your ovaries (these are the cellular ‘houses’ for your egg cells), that are being stimulated by a brain hormone FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) as well as ovarian-produced oestrogen. Multiple follicles within each ovary will develop throughout this phase, though only one follicle from one ovary will reach a point of maturation that it gets to cross the threshold of ovulation.
It’s at ovulation that you rising oestrogen finally reaches a peak.
Okay, now that the biology is out of the way, let’s explore the more energetic aspects of oestrogen.
Think of estrogen as the part of you that:
wakes up hopeful
wants to connect
feels creative
has a hundred ideas before breakfast
loves a cute outfit and a solid social plan (or three)
She’s bright, outward, expressive — like spring energy in your body.
Biologically, estrogen supports:
increased confidence
sharper verbal skills
higher libido
motivation
clearer skin — lots of nuance here
better stress resilience
scanning the environment for potential mates & reproductive opportunities.
It’s not “good vibes only” energy — it’s simply a hormonal landscape that tends to feel easier for many women. It’s like wearing a pair of rose-coloured glasses for half of the month.
But what comes up, must come down.
🍂 Luteal Phase: Progesterone, the Truth-Teller & Messenger of Wisdom
Then comes the shift.
Ovulation happens over 12-24 hours, thanks to that high level of oestrogen & another brain hormone, LH (Luteinizing Hormone). An egg cell bursts out of that one chosen follicle from one of your ovaries. Just like that, the Follicular Phase transitions into the Luteal Phase.
This is the fixed half of your cycle. Unlike the follicular phase, its length is generally consistent. This means that once you ovulate, your period will always arrive within 2 weeks (12-16 days), unless of course pregnancy occurs.
Remember that very special follicle that housed that egg cell that got ovulated? Well, that becomes a temporary organ(!) and releases about a 2-month-long surge of the hormone progesterone. The key role of this hormone is to prepare your body for a potential pregnancy. It’s not sure if you’ll conceive this cycle, but it’s getting ready nonetheless. Even if you don’t want children, didn’t fall pregnant or don’t notice it, there is now a motherhood-initiatory energy coursing through your body in the form of progesterone. Progesterone has a WHOLE other personality compared to estrogen.
Let’s zoom into the energetic qualities of progesterone.
Progesterone enters the scene like a steady, wise motherly energy, saying:
“What’s actually working for you?”
“What needs simplifying?”
“Where do you need rest?”
“Where are you abandoning yourself to please others?”
“Is our environment/life safe enough to bring a new life into?”
She’s not dramatic. She’s not “PMS”. She’s not trying to be the bane of your existence that makes you feel like a hormone gremlin has taken over your body.
She’s honest, direct. She isn’t afraid of telling you the truth.
Progesterone is inward, protective, intuitive.
Think more autumn than spring.
Biologically, progesterone leads to:
increased metabolism
more blood flow to your uterus, and the thickening of your uterine lining
need for more sleep & rest
need for more calories
different nervous system responses
introspection
detail-oriented thinking
boundary-awareness
And yes — if your progesterone is low, or if stress is high, or your oestrogen isn’t being metabolised efficiently and starts to out-crowd your progesterone, PMS symptoms can hit harder. This can be due to nutrient deficiencies, microbiome imbalance, genes needing specific support, compromised circadian rhythm, under-functioning mitochondria or nervous system dysregulation.
→ If you want to get to the root of your PMS, check out No Stress PMS eBook within the Cycle Power Bundle, or book in for a free Connection Call if you’re ready for direct, guided, tailored-to-you support from me.
But your luteal phase is NOT your enemy.
It simply a communication.
Like a stern, clear message from your very loving mother who, for example, thinks your boyfriend is an absolute jerk and not at all in your best interests.
Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Your Cycle
When you learn how estrogen and progesterone shape your energy, mood, appetite, creativity, stress tolerance and boundaries, everything begins to make sense.
Estrogen offers:
confidence
momentum
social ease
extroverted energy
Progesterone offers:
clarity
truth
grounding
emotional insight
They are both parts of you, representing different roles, desires & motivations.
Both deserve a seat at the table.
Both help you understand yourself more fully.
Practical Ways to Honour Your Two Cyclical Energies
You don’t need a 34-step hormone protocol. Tiny shifts are often the most impactful.
Embrace your follicular, inner-spring, while staying grounded:
ask if a social outing or invitation is in your best interest
be discerning about who you share your energy with
lean into outward self-expression that feels authentic and safe
check in with all your to-dos and obligations, asking what fills your cup vs what drains your cup. At the end of the day, is your cup more drained or filled?
avoid prolonged fasting, coffee on an empty stomach or protein-lacking breakfasts the closer you get to ovulation, as this will prompt your adrenaline and cortisol to act as an energy source, which can increase stress levels and likelihood of impulsivity & feeling frazzled.
Pick one simple luteal-friendly action you can take this week:
drink an extra glass of water
reduce one source of noise (turn notifications off, limit screen time, minimise social expectations)
create 15 minutes of solitude in your day
prepare snacks/meal prep for your lower-energy days that are likely to be kicking in closer to your period
let yourself say “no” once without apologising
Healing and regulation don’t need to be extreme.
Small actions, repeated consistently and gently, shift your entire experience of your cycle.
Want Deeper Guidance on Your Hormones & Cycle?
If you're tired of feeling confused or stuck in your female body, resisting your cycles or driving yourself crazy with strict protocols and hormone “healing” quick fixes, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
You can explore:
→ Cycle Power Bundle
A foundational set of cycle education tools to help you track your cycle without relying on an app to tell you when your period’s due, understand your hormones and make sense of your symptoms. It’s 20 different resources I’ve created during my nearly decade-long journey of helping women like you with their hormone imbalances and menstrual cycle concerns. Check it out here.
→ Menstrual Cycle Magick
My upcoming course for women ready to deeply understand their menstrual phases, hormones, and what their cycle is communicating through the language of the body. We’re accessing the magick that lays (not so) hidden within our female DNA. Join the waitlist & be notified as soon as enrolments are open on February 24th. Get the Cycle Power Bundle before the 24th of Feb and save $125 on Menstrual Cycle Magick.
→ Harmonised Hormones (1:1)
For personalised naturopathic support, root-cause investigation, and tailored treatment plans for your hormonal & cycle symptoms. Book in your free 15 minute Connection Call today — let’s see where you’re at, how I could help & you can suss out if I’m the right practitioner for you. No obligations, no pressure.
Whether you want self-paced learning or hands-on guidance, there’s a path that meets you exactly where you are.
Join the Conversation
Your cycle is not a mystery — it’s a map.
And learning to read it is one of the most empowering things you’ll ever do. Start the journey with my free Cycle Tracking Guide (it’s a 25 page PDF filled with tips and practical guidance on tracking your cycle properly) or dive deeper with the Cycle Power Bundle.
If something here resonated, confused you, or sparked curiosity, come chat with me:
Instagram @karindawholistix
If you’re keen on more blogs & guides like that, come join Karinda’s Corner for weekly cycle check-ins, naturopathic stories + hormone healing insights.
Thank you for being here, for exploring your inner seasons, and for saying yes to deeper body literacy.
