What happens, and when
The cycle starts on the first day of bleeding. In the first half, oestrogen rises: an ovary gets an egg ready and the womb lining thickens. Then the egg is released. In the second half, progesterone keeps the womb ready for a possible pregnancy; if there's no pregnancy, hormone levels fall, the lining comes away and your period starts — which is day one of the next cycle. The second half is the steadier one, so it's the first half that stretches or shortens.
Three things that get said too rarely
-
1
“28 days” is an average. It's a reference number, not a target. Your cycle can be shorter or longer and perfectly healthy.
-
2
Ovulation is counted from the end. Usually 10 to 16 days before your next period, not necessarily mid-month.
-
3
The names you see on the ring. “Follicular” means that first half and “luteal” means the second — just the scientific names for those two halves.
Sources
Health information, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For your own symptoms, talk to a doctor.
Your cycle, honestly.
LadyOne keeps everything on your phone — tracking, predictions, and the day’s article. No account, and no servers of ours.