By Claire Edicson
Ever feel like your body’s running on pure chaos during your cycle? One week, you’re a productivity machine — the next, you’re crying over a dog food commercial with a heat pack glued to your stomach. Don’t even start on the cravings.
Turns out, that’s not random. Rather, that’s hormones doing their thing, and sometimes doing the absolute most. Your cycle is a monthly hormone rollercoaster, and knowing what’s driving it can make it feel a little less unhinged.
Whether you’re tracking your symptoms, trying to feel more in sync, or wondering how supplements like FLO can fit into the picture, understanding what’s happening behind the scenes is a great place to start. This article will break it all down.
What Are the Main Hormones Involved in Menstruation?
There’s a whole cast of hormones behind your period, and while they each have different roles, they’re all working together to keep things moving.
The big four are:
Estrogen
Estrogen is the one you’ll hear about the most, and for good reason. It rises in the first half of your cycle (the follicular phase), peaks right before ovulation, then dips and rises again during the luteal phase. Its job is to help grow and thicken your uterine lining so your body is ready for a potential pregnancy.
But it doesn’t stop there. Estrogen also influences brain function, skin elasticity, bone strength, and how your body uses serotonin. When estrogen rises, you might feel more energized, focused, and emotionally balanced. When it drops, you may experience mood swings, low energy, and increased sensitivity.
Progesterone
Progesterone doesn’t do much until after ovulation, but when it shows up, it shows up big time. This hormone is released by the corpus luteum (what’s left of the follicle after ovulation) and dominates the second half of your cycle, also known as the luteal phase.
Its main job is stabilizing and supporting the uterine lining in case fertilization happens. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, progesterone drops off, and this hormone withdrawal is what then triggers your period.
Progesterone also affects your mood, sleep, and body temperature. Some people feel calmer when it’s higher, while others get bloated, tired, or irritable. If your body isn’t making enough progesterone, that’s often when PMS symptoms hit harder or your cycle feels unpredictable.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
LH is the spark that lights the fire. It’s produced by the pituitary gland and surges mid-cycle, usually around days 12 to 14 of a 28-day cycle. This surge is what tells the dominant follicle in your ovary that it’s time to release an egg.
This hormone doesn’t hang around for long, but its timing is everything. Without it, ovulation wouldn’t occur. And if ovulation doesn’t happen, the second half of your cycle — and the hormone production that follows — can get thrown off. For anyone tracking fertility, LH is the one you’re measuring on ovulation test strips.
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
Last but not least, FSH is released at the very beginning of your cycle during your menstrual phase. Its job is to tell your ovaries to pick a few follicles and start getting ready. One of those follicles will eventually mature and release an egg during ovulation.
As estrogen rises, FSH levels usually fall back — a hormonal feedback loop that keeps things balanced. But if FSH stays elevated or doesn’t rise enough in the first place, your body might not ovulate as expected.
How Can You Support Your Hormones Throughout Your Cycle?
This article has already discussed how your hormones shift throughout your cycle, but what about when your period hits? There are many ways to support your body during this phase.
One is to prioritize rest. Your body is working harder than it seems, so aim for eight or more hours of sleep and wind down with activities that help regulate your nervous system.
Another easy but underrated fix? What you eat. Blood sugar crashes can worsen PMS, so focus on meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Think eggs with greens, salmon with rice, or a smoothie that’s not just fruit. Also, hydrate — you lose more fluids than you think!
If cramps, mood shifts, or feelings of restlessness still hit hard, a supplement designed to support hormonal balance can help fill in the gaps and take the edge off.
Ready To Work With Your Hormones?
Estrogen, progesterone, LH, and FSH are all involved in your cycle, and they’re doing way more than just making your period show up. In fact, understanding them can make the whole experience feel less random and more manageable.
About the Author: Claire is a technology journalist with extensive experience covering emerging tech trends, AI developments, and the evolving digital landscape. Her experience helps readers understand complex technological advancements, and how they can be implemented in their everyday lives.
