How do I know which cycle phase I'm in?

Bottom lineEstimate your cycle phase by counting from day 1 of your period: menstrual (days 1 to about 5), follicular (up to ovulation), ovulation (around the middle of your cycle, with clear stretchy discharge), and luteal (after ovulation until your next period, when PMS can appear); cervical mucus and a temperature rise help confirm where you are, and timing shifts with your cycle length.

Your menstrual cycle moves through four phases. You can estimate which one you're in by counting from day 1 of your period and watching your body's signs.

The four phases (in a ~28-day cycle)

• Menstrual (days 1 to ~5) - you're bleeding; hormones are low
• Follicular (days ~1 to 13) - overlaps your period and runs to ovulation; energy often rises
• Ovulation (around day 14) - an egg is released; you may notice clear, stretchy discharge or mild one-sided pain
• Luteal (days ~15 to 28) - after ovulation until your next period; PMS symptoms can appear

How to estimate your phase

1. Note day 1 (first day of full flow)
2. Count forward to today
3. Compare against the ranges above, adjusting for your own cycle length

Read your body's signals

• Cervical mucus turns clear and slippery near ovulation
• A small temperature rise confirms you've ovulated
• PMS-type symptoms point to the luteal phase

Phases shift with your cycle length, so longer or shorter cycles move the timing.

Femora estimates your current phase from your logged dates and shows where you are at a glance.