Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle
Your menstrual cycle has two main phases that create a natural rhythm of hormonal changes:
Day 1 begins with your period when hormones are at their lowest. Menstrual flow lasts 3-7 days. Around day 8, estrogen starts rising, making you feel strong, energetic, and productive with higher libido. FSH stimulates egg growth while estrogen rebuilds your uterine lining. LH surges right before ovulation when fertility peaks.
Ovulation lasts only 12-48 hours. After the egg releases, progesterone becomes dominant to prepare for potential pregnancy. If fertilization doesn't occur, both progesterone and estrogen begin to decline, often causing PMS symptoms before your next cycle begins.
🩸 The uterine lining sheds, creating your period. Both estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels.
🌱 Overlaps with menstruation and continues until ovulation. FSH stimulates follicle growth while estrogen gradually rises.
🥚 An LH surge triggers egg release from the ovary. Estrogen peaks just before this 12-48 hour window.
🌙 The corpus luteum produces progesterone to prepare for pregnancy. If no conception, hormone levels crash.
Breaking Down The Cycle
We have designed Cycle Sync to reflect the flow of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. You will see below the change from rising estrogen in the first phase, to rising progesterone and breaking down estrogen in the second phase (post ovulation). Mimicking this flow with the right ingredients will help you feel your best and regulate your cycle!
Expand any of the tabs below to explore the science behind symptoms that you may be experiencing.
How it disrupts hormones:
♦ Elevates cortisol production, which "steals" pregnenolone from progesterone synthesis
♦ Suppresses GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), reducing FSH and LH production
♦ Impairs ovulation and shortens luteal phase
♦ Increases inflammation throughout the body
Common symptoms:
♦ Irregular or missed periods
♦ Short luteal phase (less than 10 days)
♦ Low progesterone symptoms: anxiety, insomnia, PMS
♦Difficulty getting pregnant
How it disrupts hormones:
♦ Disrupts circadian rhythm, affecting melatonin and cortisol patterns
♦ Increases stress hormones and reduces growth hormone production
♦ Impairs insulin sensitivity and increases hunger hormones
♦ Reduces leptin (satiety hormone) and increases ghrelin (hunger hormone)
Common symptoms:
♦ Irregular menstrual cycles
♦ Increased appetite and weight gain
♦ Poor recovery and low energy
♦ Mood swings and irritability
♦ Weakened immune system
Underweight:
♦ Insufficient body fat disrupts leptin signaling
♦ Lack of energy reserves triggers survival mode
♦ Reduces estrogen production from fat cells
♦ Can cause complete loss of menstruation
Overweight:
♦ Excess fat tissue produces additional estrogen
♦ Increases insulin resistance and inflammation
♦ Elevates aromatase enzyme, converting androgens to estrogen
♦ Disrupts normal ovulation patterns
Common symptoms:
♦ Irregular or absent periods
♦ Difficulty conceiving
♦ Insulin resistance and metabolic issues
♦ Hormonal acne and excess hair growth
Hypothyroid (Underactive):
♦ Slows down all metabolic processes, including hormone production
♦ Reduces conversion of cholesterol to hormones
♦ Increases prolactin, which can suppress ovulation
♦ Affects liver's ability to clear excess hormones
Hyperthyroid (Overactive):
♦ Speeds up hormone metabolism too quickly
♦ Increases sex hormone-binding globulin, reducing available hormones
♦ Can cause very light or absent periods
♦ Increases risk of bone loss and heart issues
Common symptoms:
♦ Irregular menstrual cycles
♦ Fatigue and temperature sensitivity
♦ Weight changes
♦ Hair loss or thinning
♦ Mood changes (depression/anxiety)
How it disrupts hormones:
♦ Synthetic hormones suppress natural hormone production
♦ Shuts down normal ovulation process
♦ Depletes key nutrients (B vitamins, magnesium, zinc)
♦ Can take months to years for natural cycles to return after stopping
Common symptoms while on:
♦ No natural hormone fluctuations
♦ Potential mood changes and decreased libido
♦ Nutrient deficiencies
Common symptoms after stopping:
♦ Post-pill amenorrhea (no periods)
♦ Hormonal acne
♦ Hair loss
♦ Irregular cycles
♦ PMS symptoms
Perimenopause (30s-40s):
♦ Gradual decline in hormone production
♦ Irregular ovulation leads to progesterone deficiency
♦ Estrogen can still be normal or high initially
♦ Cycles become unpredictable
Menopause (50s+):
♦ Ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone
♦ Dramatic hormonal shifts
♦ End of menstrual cycles
♦ Increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease
Common symptoms:
♦ Irregular periods becoming shorter or longer
♦ Hot flashes and night sweats
♦ Mood swings and irritability
♦ Sleep disturbances
♦ Vaginal dryness
♦ Weight gain, especially around midsection
♦ Brain fog and memory issues
How it disrupts hormones:
♦ Lacks essential nutrients needed for hormone production (zinc, B6, magnesium)
♦ High sugar/processed foods cause insulin spikes and inflammation
♦ Low protein intake reduces amino acids needed for neurotransmitters
♦ Insufficient healthy fats limit cholesterol available for hormone synthesis
Common symptoms:
♦ Irregular cycles
♦ Heavy or painful periods
♦ Severe PMS and mood swings
♦ Low energy and brain fog
♦ Cravings and blood sugar crashes
Too Much Exercise:
♦. Chronic high-intensity exercise increases cortisol
♦ Burns through nutrients faster than they can be replenished
♦ Can lead to amenorrhea (loss of periods) in extreme cases
♦ Suppresses reproductive function to preserve energy
Too Little Exercise:
♦ Reduces insulin sensitivity and increases inflammation
♦ Impairs circulation and lymphatic drainage
♦ Contributes to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction
♦ Reduces endorphins and mood-regulating hormones
Common symptoms:
♦ Missing or irregular periods (over-exercise)
♦ Weight gain and metabolic issues (under-exercise)
♦ Mood changes and low energy
♦ Poor stress management
How it disrupts hormones:
♦ Insulin resistance leads to elevated androgens (male hormones)
♦ High LH to FSH ratio prevents normal ovulation
♦ Creates multiple small cysts on ovaries
♦ Disrupts normal progesterone production due to lack of ovulation
Common symptoms:
♦ Irregular or absent periods
♦ Excess hair growth (hirsutism)
♦ Acne and oily skin
♦ Weight gain, especially around midsection
♦ Difficulty losing weight
♦ Hair thinning on scalp
How it disrupts hormones:
♦ Creates chronic inflammation throughout the body
♦ Estrogen feeds endometrial tissue growth
♦ Often associated with estrogen dominance
♦ Can interfere with normal ovulation and implantation
Common symptoms:
♦ Extremely painful periods
♦ Heavy menstrual bleeding
♦ Pain during ovulation and intercourse
♦ Chronic pelvic pain
♦ Digestive issues during menstruation
♦ Difficulty getting pregnant
How they disrupt hormones:
♦ Xenoestrogens mimic estrogen in the body
♦ Endocrine disruptors interfere with hormone signaling
♦ Overload liver's detoxification pathways
♦ Accumulate in fat tissue and continue disrupting hormones
Common sources:
♦ Plastics (BPA, phthalates)
♦ Pesticides and herbicides
♦ Personal care products (parabens, sulfates)
♦ Household cleaners and air fresheners
♦ Non-stick cookware and flame retardants
Common symptoms:
♦ Estrogen dominance symptoms
♦ Early puberty or irregular cycles
♦ Difficulty losing weight
♦ Increased cancer risk
♦ Reproductive issues
Where
Cycle Sync addresses the root causes of hormonal instabilities by targeting four key areas to create optimal conditions for hormonal harmony.
HORMONE BALANCE
Supporting your body's natural hormone production pathways
INFLAMMATION SUPPORT
Calming chronic inflammation that disrupts hormone signaling
AIDS METABOLIC PATHWAYS
Optimizing your liver's ability to process and eliminate hormones
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Balancing cortisol levels to protect reproductive hormone production
