Sync Up With Your Cycle: Women can gain more advantages in society by aligning their months with their hormone cycles

Since the moment I got my period in sixth grade, I felt like I had some sort of disadvantage due to the monthly struggle of lethargy, moodiness and worst of all, unproductivity. But of course, I would never say that out loud because “Girls are just as powerful as boys!” and “We can do anything they can do, girl power!” 

While these statements are meant to motivate women to rise past oppression, they ignore the principal difference between women and men — our bodies. 

Women have a hormone cycle that lasts roughly 28 days, similar to the length of the moon’s waxing and waning cycle. The moon slowly loses brightness and shape throughout the month and then progressively gains it back. A woman’s “full moon” is ovulation when she is most fertile — and hormone levels are at their peak. Menstruation compares to the new moon, when hormone levels and energy are at their lowest.

Male hormone cycles are more similar to the sun. While its brightness may vary seasonally, the sun’s daily rising patterns are the same. Testosterone, the male’s primary hormone, peaks in the morning and slowly dims throughout the day, as the male cycle lasts exactly 24 hours.  

Obviously, the sun and moon are completely different entities, and while they work together, we don’t expect the moon to appear full all the time. So why are women expected to shine brightly with energy to last them for all hours of the day? Women will never be able to reach their full potential by conforming to the patriarchal standards of productivity. If we want to reach true equality in our society, we need to start listening to our bodies.  

Women have been forced to abide by a man’s workday — eight hours asleep, eight hours at work, eight hours free time. Every. Single. Day. As powerful and flexible as women are, this schedule isn’t natural to our bodies — it’s time to explore productivity through the female lens. 

What if you knew the best time of the month to lead class discussions, start a school project or ask for a raise at work?

It’s called cycle syncing — the practice of changing your lifestyle habits to align with your menstrual cycle. 

“Our bodies give us a master plan for producing life — as well as organizing our life,” Dr. Kecia Gaither, NYC Health Director of Perinatal Services, told Forbes. 

Female hormones levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. These changes make different parts of the month align better with certain activities due to differences in brain activity and energy. 

Energy is at its lowest point during your menstrual phase, so it’s wise to make yourself comfortable and give yourself grace. This time is good for contemplation or hot baths as the low energy gives us a naturally pensive state. Cut back on tasks if possible, and use this time to rest and recharge. 

The follicular phase begins right as the bleeding stops, and the body prepares itself for ovulation. There is a sharp rise in estrogen and progesterone, which cause a higher drive and more energy. Take this time to be productive and creative, as you’ll be better equipped to handle challenging projects or assignments. It’s go time!

The ovulatory phase occurs at the middle of your cycle when the body releases the egg and you are most fertile. Hormones peak, and you have the most outward energy during this time. This is the time to have a tough chat or important meeting with a teacher or a boss. 

The final and most dreaded phase is the luteal phase — when the body is preparing for menstruation. Your mind will be a little slower in this phase and productivity levels are low. This phase is connected with PMS symptoms, so if you want to hide in your room and binge Outer Banks, that is OK. 

In this phase, you should prioritize solitude and lighten the workload if you can. You may experience brain fog, so it’s wise to stick to simpler tasks like editing work or replying to emails.

The man’s world has us living on a 24 hour clock, and everyday we must be consistent in our energy levels — something that just isn’t natural for women. This sets us up for burnout because conforming to this schedule isn’t what we are biologically designed to do. It’s time to take back control of our own productive lives and master our bodies and our learning environment.