Explain a whole cycle to me

Okay, so your cycle is basically your body getting ready for a period, having one, and then getting ready for the next one. It's like a monthly show your body puts on, all thanks to hormones!

The Start: Your Period (Day 1-7ish)

This is literally day one of your cycle. It's when you're bleeding because your uterus is shedding its lining. It can last anywhere from like, 3 to 7 days, but everyone is different. During this time, your body is also getting ready to release an egg for the next cycle.

After Your Period: The Follicular Phase (Day 8-14ish)

After your period ends, your body starts building up a new lining in your uterus. This phase is also when one of your ovaries gets ready to release an egg. You might notice more energy around now, and your mood might feel pretty good. It's usually when your hormones are like, on the up and up!

The Middle: Ovulation (Day 14ish)

This is when your ovary releases an egg. It's like the main event, even though you probably won't feel anything specific unless you're really paying attention. Some people notice a little cramp on one side, or their discharge changes and becomes more clear and stretchy. This usually happens around the middle of your cycle.

Before Your Period Again: The Luteal Phase (Day 15-28ish)

After ovulation, your body checks to see if that egg met a sperm. If not, the egg dissolves, and your hormone levels start to drop. This is when you might start feeling some PMS symptoms, like mood swings, bloating, or cramps, as your body gets ready to shed that uterus lining again and start all over. Then, boom, your period arrives and it's back to day one!

Tracking your cycle with an app like Soso can really help you see how these phases play out in your own body, and you can log how you feel each day.