summer time, and the living is easy…

your ovulatory phase is a highly social and energetic time. There is a deep sense of connection and cognitive focus to be found here.

when:

The 3-5 days in the middle of your cycle, following the follicular phase and ending before the luteal phase (phase 3). Typically the shortest phase in your cycle, it surrounds the process of ovulation and there is a LOT going on…

what:

Oestrogen surges and luteinising hormone (LH) arrives on the scene to spark the release of an egg. The lining of the uterus gets thicker, while testosterone also peaks and then quickly goes back down following ovulation. The hormone shifts during this phase activate the verbal and social areas of the brain.

Oestrogen dominance is a condition in which levels of oestrogen are high relative to the amount of progesterone in the body, and it is one of the most common conditions in women with hormone imbalances and period problems. The liver is the body’s main organ of elimination and it processes and eliminates excess oestrogen. DIM (see below) helps the liver do its job more effectively, which can help prevent oestrogen dominance and related symptoms like acne, PMS, and heavy or irregular periods. Research also suggests that DIM may help protect against certain oestrogen-fuelled cancers.

how:

Many people experience ovulation as the peak of their physical and mental performance. Biology has us designed in this way, survival of the fittest and whatnot, so you may feel your most social and communicative during this phase, and it is a good time to plan important or difficult conversations with friends, partners, and work. Make decisions if you’re feeling confident and empowered.

However, not everyone enjoys this phase and some people may find it a bit overwhelming. Add to that the constant pressure of how good you should be feeling, and you can start to see where it would chip away at your thought process, or self-confidence.

movement

This is your time to tackle the big goals and hit your PBs. If you are an endurance athlete - tackle the long run. If you are a weightlifter - pick up your big girl weights. If you are a climber - get on the big project and embrace the (relative) lack of fear of falling. Basically, go all out! If you don’t have an exercise routine, just try and move more. Maybe go to a class with a friend or challenge yourself to a longer walk. In all likelihood you will feel better for burning off some of that excess energy.

nutrition

Highly recommended to include cruciferous vegetables in your diet to help remove excess oestrogen from your body, and prioritise fibre from whole foods. This will help flush out excess hormones via your stool. Key supplement: DIM stands for 3,3-diindolylmethane, a powerful health-promoting compound derived from cruciferous vegetables. One of its key functions is helping the body efficiently process and eliminate used-up oestrogen, which is important during the ovulatory phase when oestrogen is high.