Name: Femora
Author: Femora

Question 1

What are the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle?

Femora · Accepted Answer

Your menstrual cycle is divided into four distinct phases, each with its own hormonal changes and effects on your body.
Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5)

This is your period - the phase most people are familiar with. The uterine lining sheds because pregnancy didn't occur in the previous cycle.

What happens:
The lining of the uterus is shed through the vagina
You may experience cramps, bloating, fatigue, and mood changes
Hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) are at their lowest

Duration: Typically 3-7 days
Follicular Phase (Days 1-13)

This phase overlaps with menstruation and continues after your period ends. Your body begins preparing for the next potential pregnancy.

What happens:
The pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Several follicles begin developing in your ovaries, each containing an egg
One follicle becomes dominant and continues to mature
Estrogen levels rise, causing the uterine lining to thicken
You may feel more energetic and have an improved mood

Duration: About 11-13 days (varies most between individuals)
Ovulation Phase (Day 14)

The shortest phase - this is when your body releases a mature egg.

What happens:
A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the release of the mature egg
The egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus
This is your most fertile time
You may notice clear, stretchy cervical mucus

Duration: 24-48 hours (the egg survives about 12-24 hours)
Luteal Phase (Days 15-28)

The final phase before your next period begins.

What happens:
The empty follicle transforms into the corpus luteum
Progesterone rises to maintain the uterine lining
If the egg isn't fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down
Progesterone and estrogen drop, triggering PMS symptoms
Common symptoms: bloating, breast tenderness, mood changes, food cravings

Duration: Usually 12-14 days (the most consistent phase)

Femora's cycle ring dashboard shows you exactly which phase you're in, color-coded for easy reference: red for menstrual, pink for follicular, purple for ovulation, and indigo for luteal.

Question 2

What is ovulation?

Femora · Accepted Answer

Ovulation is the process where a mature egg is released from one of your ovaries. It's a key event in your menstrual cycle and the time when you're most fertile.

When does ovulation happen?

Ovulation typically occurs around the middle of your menstrual cycle. For a standard 28-day cycle, this is usually around day 14. However, the exact timing can vary from person to person and even from cycle to cycle.

What happens during ovulation?
Before ovulation: Your body increases production of estrogen, which causes the lining of your uterus to thicken. A rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the release of the egg.
During ovulation: A mature egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube. This is when conception can occur if sperm is present.
After ovulation: The empty follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to maintain the uterine lining. If the egg isn't fertilized, hormone levels drop and your period begins.

Signs of ovulation

Some people notice physical signs around ovulation:
A slight increase in basal body temperature
Changes in cervical mucus (it becomes clear and stretchy)
Mild pelvic pain or cramping on one side (called mittelschmerz)
Increased sex drive
Breast tenderness

The fertile window

Your fertile window spans about 6 days - the 5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. Sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days, which is why the days leading up to ovulation are also considered fertile.

Femora tracks your cycle phases including ovulation, helping you understand your fertility window and plan accordingly.

Calculate yours: ovulation calculator · fertile window calculator

Question 3

Why is my period late?

Femora · Accepted Answer

A late period can happen for many reasons, and it's usually not a cause for alarm. Here are the most common reasons:

Stress

When you're stressed, your body produces more cortisol, which can interfere with the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. This can delay ovulation and, as a result, your period.

Changes in weight

Significant weight loss or weight gain can affect your hormone levels. Being underweight or overweight can cause irregular periods or even cause them to stop temporarily.

Exercise

Intense physical activity - especially if you've recently increased your workout routine - can delay your period. This is common in athletes and those who exercise vigorously.

Hormonal birth control

Starting, stopping, or switching birth control methods can cause changes in your cycle. It may take a few months for your body to adjust.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular or missed periods. If your periods are frequently late or irregular, it's worth discussing with your doctor.

Thyroid issues

Both an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can affect your menstrual cycle.

Pregnancy

If you're sexually active and your period is late, pregnancy is always a possibility. A home pregnancy test can help rule this out.

When to see a doctor

You should consult a healthcare provider if:
You've missed three or more periods in a row
Your periods are consistently irregular
You experience heavy bleeding or severe pain
You suspect you might be pregnant

Tracking your cycle with Femora can help you identify patterns and share accurate cycle data with your healthcare provider.

Predict your next period: period calculator

Question 4

What is PCOS?

Femora · Accepted Answer

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders among women of reproductive age. It affects roughly 1 in 10 women and can have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall health.

What causes PCOS?

The exact cause isn't fully understood, but several factors play a role:
Excess androgens: Women with PCOS often produce higher-than-normal levels of male hormones (androgens), which can prevent ovulation and cause symptoms like acne and excess hair growth.
Insulin resistance: Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, meaning their bodies can't use insulin effectively. This leads to higher insulin levels, which can increase androgen production.
Genetics: PCOS tends to run in families. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you may be more likely to develop it.
Inflammation: Research suggests that women with PCOS have a type of low-grade inflammation that stimulates the ovaries to produce androgens.

How does PCOS affect your cycle?

PCOS can cause:
Irregular periods: Cycles that are longer than 35 days or fewer than 8 periods per year
Missed periods: Some women with PCOS may go months without a period
Heavy bleeding: When periods do occur, the uterine lining has had more time to build up, so bleeding may be heavier

Diagnosis

PCOS is typically diagnosed when you have at least two of these three criteria:
Irregular or absent periods
Signs of excess androgens (acne, excess hair growth) or blood tests showing high androgen levels
Polycystic ovaries visible on ultrasound (many small follicles on the ovaries)

Treatment

While there's no cure for PCOS, symptoms can be managed through:
Lifestyle changes (healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight)
Hormonal birth control to regulate periods
Medications to manage specific symptoms
Fertility treatments if you're trying to conceive

When to see a doctor

Talk to your doctor if you experience irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, or signs of excess androgen levels. Early diagnosis and management can help reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Tracking your cycle with Femora can help you identify irregular patterns early and provide your healthcare provider with detailed cycle data for more accurate diagnosis.

Question 5

Is discharge during ovulation normal?

Femora · Accepted Answer

Absolutely - increased discharge during ovulation is not only normal, it's one of your body's most reliable signs that ovulation is happening.

What ovulation discharge looks like

During ovulation, your discharge typically becomes:
Clear - Almost transparent
Stretchy - You can stretch it between your fingers (sometimes called "spinnbarkeit")
Slippery - Similar in texture to raw egg whites
Abundant - This is usually when you produce the most discharge in your cycle

Why it happens

As you approach ovulation, estrogen levels peak. This signals your cervix to produce a specific type of mucus that:
Creates a sperm-friendly environment - The alkaline mucus neutralizes the vagina's natural acidity
Helps sperm travel - The stretchy, watery texture acts like a highway for sperm to reach the egg
Keeps sperm alive longer - Sperm can survive up to 5 days in fertile cervical mucus

The timeline
Days before ovulation: Discharge gradually becomes wetter and more slippery
Day of ovulation: Peak clear, stretchy, egg-white discharge
After ovulation: Discharge quickly becomes thicker and stickier as progesterone rises

How to use this information

Tracking your discharge can help you:
Identify your fertile window - The appearance of egg-white cervical mucus is one of the best natural indicators of fertility
Confirm ovulation occurred - The shift from wet/stretchy to dry/thick signals that ovulation has passed
Understand your body better - Knowing what's normal for you makes it easier to spot when something is off

Is more discharge during ovulation a problem?

No. Some people produce quite a lot of discharge during ovulation, and that's perfectly normal. You might notice it on your underwear or when wiping. If it bothers you, a panty liner can help with comfort.

Femora automatically tracks your ovulation phase based on your cycle data, so you'll know exactly when to expect these changes.

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