The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (also known as the Follicular or Proliferative Phase) occurs when one or more ovarian follicles rupture, releasing an ovum (egg) into the abdominal cavity. The follicular phase begins on day 1 of your menstrual cycle and ends on the day before ovulation takes place. The following guide explains everything you need to know about the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle, including the changes in your body during this time and ways to detect ovulation on its way.



What is the follicular phase?

The follicular phase of your menstrual cycle begins on day one and ends just before ovulation. During these days, you’re most likely to experience PMS, mood swings, bloating, headaches, acne breakouts, constipation and cramping. Once menstruation is over and you start your period, you enter into what’s known as the post-menstrual phase until ovulation.

Why do we need it?

The follicular phase, also known as stage one of your menstrual cycle, is when we start ovulating. This happens about two weeks before our period, which is around day 14 for most women. The follicular phase determines if and when you’ll get pregnant. Your odds of getting pregnant are greatest during this part of your cycle.

When does it occur?

The follicular phase occurs from day 1-14 of your cycle. It begins on Day 1, which is when you get your period, and ends when ovulation occurs (or about 14 days later). The follicular phase precedes ovulation. What happens during it?: During the follicular phase, your body produces a hormone called estrogen that helps develop an egg in one of your ovaries. Estrogen causes a slight increase in body temperature and also increases cervical mucus production. This extra mucus helps sperm travel through your cervix into your uterus so they can fertilize an egg once it’s released by one of your ovaries during ovulation.

How long does it last?

The follicular phase of your menstrual cycle starts on day one (or the first day of your period) and ends on ovulation day. It lasts between 9-16 days. A common mistake women make is waiting until they miss their period to begin taking basal body temperature (BBT). This can cause a few days of error in your cycle, meaning you may think you are late when really it is just part of your normal cycle.

Facts about ovulation during this stage

During ovulation, your body releases one egg in preparation for fertilization. This is a very important time in a woman’s cycle because there are certain changes that take place during it. The follicular phase lasts from day 1 of menstruation until ovulation and is divided into two subphases: pro-luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, and proliferative phase. During these stages, hormones fluctuate widely. In fact, you may experience symptoms like bloating or mood swings even before you actually ovulate!

About 4 days after menstruation begins, LH levels begin to rise. This tells your brain that you’re now ready to get pregnant! At first, only small amounts of estrogen are released by the developing follicle on top of your uterus.

How can you tell when you will ovulate?

The follicular phase begins with ovulation when an egg is released from one of your ovaries. Once an egg is released, you have 12-24 hours until it becomes unresponsive to sperm. Following ovulation, there are typically 2-3 days in which you could become pregnant before your fertile window closes again. How can you tell if you’re about to ovulate? There are a few ways to tell if your body is getting ready for ovulation. In addition to keeping track of your basal body temperature (BBT), here are some signs that indicate that ovulation may be near

Keeping track of your cycle using fertility awareness methods

The first step in learning about your cycle is to identify your body’s natural fertility signs. Tracking your cycle using natural fertility awareness methods will allow you to understand what’s happening on a day-to-day basis. This will help you spot when your most fertile times are so that you can maximize your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby.

When will my period start?

The follicular phase is that period of time between ovulation and menstruation. When it comes to calculating fertility, though, it’s also known as day one of your cycle—the first day that you would have noticed any bleeding or spotting, if you experience that sort of thing. For most women, their periods start on day 28 of their cycles; however, some people may see their period come in earlier (as early as 24 days) or later (up to 36 days). This is especially true for those who don’t track their periods accurately. If you aren’t sure when your next period will begin, take a look at our handy guide for more information about how to predict when your next menstrual cycle will begin.