Which half of my cycle am I currently in?

Basics for your biological cycle

The beginning of the cycle

From the moment of birth, a woman's ovaries already contain the entire supply of eggs needed for life. A whopping 400,000 eggs are present from the beginning. Each egg remains dormant, enclosed in a small sac called a follicle, until puberty. With the onset of puberty, the first follicles mature under the influence of various hormones.

For an egg to mature, be fertilized, and implant in the uterus, a harmonious interplay of various hormones is required. Even if you're not currently planning a family, the female cycle has an evolutionary purpose: It serves reproduction and thus the preservation of humanity.

The role of hormones

Hormones are messenger substances involved in many processes in your body. Among the best known are cortisol, melatonin, insulin, thyroxine, testosterone, and estrogen. These transmit messages throughout the body and reach their target via the bloodstream.

The female cycle is controlled by a sensitively coordinated regulatory circuit of hormones involving the pituitary gland (hypophysis), the diencephalon (hypothalamus) and the ovaries.

Cycle half I: menstruation until ovulation - Duration: variable

Consisting of the follicular and ovulation phases

With the onset of your period, your new cycle begins, marking the first half of your cycle, which transitions into the second half with ovulation. What's special about this phase is that this part of the cycle varies greatly from woman to woman and often doesn't represent a true half. The follicular phase usually lasts between 6 and 23 days, in some cases even longer. This phase is usually responsible for a very long cycle.

What happens during this time of the cycle?

Your pituitary gland sends follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to your ovaries to activate 20-25 follicles. Under the influence of estrogen, these mature until an egg from each follicle is large enough for ovulation. When estrogen reaches its peak, luteinizing hormone (LH) is released, triggering ovulation. The egg migrates to the outer part of the fallopian tube and waits there for 8-18 hours for fertilization.

If fertilization does not occur, the egg cell dissolves again in the fallopian tube.

Living cyclically “Power”

5 biodynamically cultivated women's herbs. Warming, strengthening, and centering. Smartly tailored to the needs of your first half of the cycle.

During the first half of your cycle, you'll receive comprehensive support from the women's herbal "Kraft," which you can take as an oxymel or loose tea . The blend consists of:

• Raspberry leaves : Strengthening and balancing, support the maturation of egg cells.
• Rosemary : Promotes blood circulation and has an invigorating effect.
• Lady’s mantle : Supports hormonal balance and has a balancing effect.
• St. John’s Wort : Mood-enhancing, balancing both physical and mental.
• Angelica : Supports general well-being and digestion.
• Sage : Anti-inflammatory and sweat-regulating.

Gentle plant power that accompanies you until ovulation.

Cycle half II: From ovulation to menstruation - Duration: 10-16 days

Consisting of the luteal phase and menstruation

If the egg is fertilized, it migrates to the uterus and implants there. From now on, your body receives a clear signal: "Fertilization has occurred."

The corpus luteum hormone progesterone now plays a central role. It is produced from the egg follicle, ensures blood flow to the uterine lining, increases body temperature, and prevents further ovulation. If fertilization occurs, the egg implants in the uterine lining, and the pregnancy hormone hCG is produced.

Without fertilization, the corpus luteum gradually fatigues, progesterone levels drop, the uterine lining is no longer nourished and is shed with menstruation.

Living cyclically “rest”

5 biodynamically cultivated women's herbs. Brightening, clarifying, grounding. Cleverly tailored to the needs of your second half of the cycle.

In the second half of your cycle, you'll receive comprehensive support from the women's herbal "Rest," which you can take as an oxymel or loose tea . The blend consists of:

• Lady’s Mantle : Supports the uterine lining and has a calming effect.
• St. John's Wort : Helps with mood swings and PMS.
• Yarrow : Antispasmodic and blood purifying.
• Lemon balm : Calming and relaxing.
• Nettle : Dehydrating and blood purifying.
• Birch leaves : Support kidney function and have a diuretic effect.

Gentle plant power that accompanies you until your menstruation.

Because your cycle is your foundation.

How to interpret your cycle.

Your body gives you a “suitcase of cycle signals” that help you identify which phase you are currently in.

The three cycle signals: basal temperature, cervical mucus and cervix

With the help of these three cycle signals, you'll learn to understand your cycle phases more precisely. By observing, you'll notice recurring changes and be able to better respond to your needs. Once you're comfortable reading your cycle signals over a longer period, you can also use this method as a contraceptive. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an environmentally friendly method of contraception and, once properly learned, just as safe as hormonal alternatives like the pill.

How to find out which half of your cycle you are in

First half of the cycle: menstruation until ovulation

Features:

• Basal temperature : In this phase the basal temperature is lower, usually between 36.5°C and 36.8°C.
• Cervical mucus : Initially, the mucus is usually sparse or sticky. The closer you get to ovulation, the more mucus you produce. It becomes increasingly clear, runny, and stretchy , similar to raw egg whites.
• Cervix : Immediately after menstruation, the cervix is ​​firm, low, and closed. As you get closer to ovulation, it softens, rises higher, and opens slightly.

Recognition tips:

• Measure your temperature : Measure your basal body temperature every morning immediately after waking up. Record the readings to identify a lower temperature range .
• Monitor mucus : Check cervical mucus daily to detect increasing amounts and changes to a clear, stretchy consistency .
• Palpate the cervix : Palpate the cervix at the same time every day to check its position and firmness.

Second half of the cycle: ovulation to menstruation

Features:

• Basal temperature : After ovulation, the basal temperature rises by about 0.5°C and remains elevated until menstruation (typically above 37°C).
• Cervical mucus : After ovulation, the mucus becomes thicker and stickier or almost disappears.
• Cervix : After ovulation, the cervix becomes firmer again, sinks lower and closes.

Recognition tips:

• Measure your temperature : Continue measuring your basal body temperature every morning. A rise in temperature signals that ovulation has ended and the second half of your cycle has begun.
• Monitor mucus : Check your cervical mucus daily to notice thickening and disappearance of mucus after ovulation .
• Cervical palpation : Check the position and firmness of the cervix daily to detect changes after ovulation.

Detailed signals

1. Basal temperature

Basal body temperature is your core body temperature, which you measure immediately after waking up in the morning. During the follicular phase, your body temperature is lower, fluctuating between 36.5°C and 36.8°C. As you approach ovulation, your basal body temperature rises slightly and remains elevated by up to 0.5°C until your period. The corpus luteum hormone progesterone is responsible for this temperature increase.

In short: Basal body temperature is your core body temperature, which you measure immediately after getting up in the morning. Your cycle has two temperature levels: During the follicular phase, your temperature is around 36.5 to 36.8°C. Shortly before ovulation, it rises slightly and remains elevated by up to 0.5°C until menstruation, due to the corpus luteum hormone progesterone.

How do I measure my basal temperature?

Use a digital thermometer with two decimal places or an analog thermometer. Measure orally, rectally, or vaginally; the latter methods are more accurate. Measure at the same time of day, if possible, plus or minus one hour.

What does my basal temperature tell me?

A rise in temperature indicates that ovulation has occurred and you are no longer in your fertile days.

Disturbing factors :

Illness, lack of sleep, stress, alcohol consumption, or a change in environment can affect the temperature. A course with an NFP coach can be helpful for learning how to use this method of contraception safely.

2. Cervical mucus

Cervical mucus is produced by the glands in the cervix and varies in color and consistency throughout the cycle. Here are the different consistencies of cervical mucus in detail:

2.1. Transparent and liquid

• When: Shortly before and during ovulation.
• Description: The mucus is clear, very thin, and stretchy. It can be stringy and resembles raw egg white.
• What it means: This indicates impending ovulation and shows the fertile days.

2.2. Yellowish and creamy

• When: Approximately after ovulation or in the early stages of the follicular phase.
• Description: The mucus is milky, thick, and has a creamy consistency. It is less stretchy than transparent mucus.
• What it means: This indicates a less fertile period before the mucus becomes clear and stretchy again.

2.3. Reddish and sticky

• When: Towards the end of the cycle or shortly before menstruation.
• Description: The mucus may have a slightly reddish hue and a sticky, thick consistency.
• What it means: This indicates that ovulation has passed and you are in a less fertile phase.

How do I check my cervical mucus?
Take some mucus between your thumb and index finger, observe the amount, color, and consistency, and check if it forms any threads.

3. Cervix

Over the course of your cycle, the cervix changes in texture and position. After menstruation, it is closed, hard, and low. As you approach ovulation, it moves higher, softens, and opens. After ovulation, it becomes firmer again and sinks lower.

How do I examine my cervix?
Wash your hands and insert one or two fingers into your vagina. Check the texture (hard or soft), position (high or low), and opening (closed or open). Observe these characteristics at the same time every day.

What does my cervix tell me?
A higher, softer, and open cervix indicates impending ovulation. After ovulation, it becomes hard and deep again.

By regularly observing and recording these signs, you'll learn which half of your cycle you're in. This not only helps you better understand your body but can also support natural family planning and contraception.