Luteal Phase - Tumblr Posts

ovulation today wooooo (my whole life goes down from here and i will be absolutely intolerably moody for the next 15 days)

Essentially, an infradian rhythm is a bodily cycle that exceeds the circadian rhythm, or daily cycle.

LH (luteinizing hormone) encourages the growth of the corpus luteum, which is what we call the dominant follicle after it releases its egg. The corpus luteum secretes both estrogen and progesterone, preventing other follicles from maturing and releasing eggs. If conception does not happen (no pregnancy), this “eggblock” continues until LH levels decline.

Declining LH leads to the degeneration of the corpus luteum.  As the corpus luteum breaks down, estrogen and progesterone levels drop.  The body knows pregnancy has not occurred so the endometrium also breaks down, restarting the menstrual cycle.