08/25/2025 3:08 p.m.

Surprising ways your menstrual cycle affects your life

Dr. Niels van de Roemer
Dr. Niels van de Roemer Medical Adviser

A quick look at the menstrual cycle basics before we dive into the surprising facts.

Some facts about the menstrual cycle are pretty common knowledge, such as the phases and duration. However, there are a few things you’ve probably never heard of before.

What Is the Menstrual Cycle?

The menstrual cycle is a series of events that take place in a woman's body from one period to the next. It generally begins at puberty and ends at menopause1. These cyclic changes in your uterus and ovaries usually last about 28 days but may range from 21 to 40 days1. Biochemical messengers released by your brain (the hypothalamus and pituitary gland) and ovaries regulate the cycle2. The menstrual cycle has two phases, not four. Some sources list menstruation and ovulation as separate stages, but they're actually part of the follicular phase.

  • Follicular Phase — Each cycle begins with your period (typically 2–7 days). Hormones trigger the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles; several develop, but only one matures fully. Meanwhile, the uterine lining thickens to prepare for a possible pregnancy. The phase ends with ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH)2.

  • Luteal Phase — After ovulation, the structure left behind forms the corpus luteum, which mainly produces progesterone to maintain the uterine lining. If pregnancy doesn't occur within 12–14 days, the corpus luteum breaks down, hormone levels drop, and the lining sheds2.

It Isn’t Always Consistent

Although your cycle is tightly regulated, it isn't perfectly regular. Your period duration, how much you bleed, and your symptoms can vary through the year. Stress, hormonal changes, and diet all play a role.

The length of menstrual cycles may shorten around summer, likely due to the effect of sunlight on the sleep-wake cycle that regulates your hormones5.

You’re Most Attractive During Your Fertile Period

Yes, you read that right. Men and women find you more attractive when fertile. One study showed men images of women during various phases of their menstrual cycles. The participants were more attracted to women in their fertile window and luteal phase.

Your Movements Slow Down During Ovulation

Your gait and how you dance become slower and more sensual around ovulation. This is sexy and gets you lots of attention, even without your knowledge.

In a study, men analyzed the dancing silhouettes of women and found those ovulating more attractive. This supports the report that exotic dancers make more money during their fertile periods.

Furthermore, some women feel more tired after ovulation due to the hormone changes. They may struggle with intense physical activities and endurance sports events.

It Changes Your Scent

How you smell varies with your menstrual cycle. Your scent, when fertile, stimulates your partner’s sexual desire.

But it’s not just men who are smelling their partners, women are doing the same. Every month around your fertile window, your sense of smell sharpens. It’s how your body ensures you can sniff your partner’s pheromones.

Your Voice Sounds Different

Your voice probably sounds the same to you all the time. Nevertheless, researchers have observed that it can change slightly during your menstrual cycle.

Women speak with a higher frequency around ovulation. This may be because your vocal cords respond to sex hormones like estrogen, which increases around ovulation. Studies also show that men are more attracted to a woman’s voice during this period. Taking hormonal contraceptives can interfere with how your menstrual cycle affects your voice.

Hormonal Changes May Increase Your Jealousy and Wandering Eye

The way your hormones change during your menstrual cycle affects your sexual desire. Around ovulation, women are more likely to desire other people besides their partners. This may be why most flings occur around this period.

Ovulation also makes you guard your partner. This is related to elevated estrogen levels. Interestingly, women on hormonal contraceptives show more jealousy.

Your Toilet Habits Change

Do you spend more time on the toilet during your period? It's not in your head: the prostaglandins that make your uterus contract also stimulate your intestines, and falling progesterone levels increase bowel movements2.

You May Ovulate Multiple Times

It's possible to ovulate more than once in a cycle. Some women experience two or three follicular waves, which can release more than one egg. When multiple ovulations occur, the eggs are typically released within 24 hours, so this doesn't create an additional or extended fertile window. If both eggs are fertilized, fraternal twins can result3. A fertility tracker like Daysy helps you not miss this short fertile window.

Your Underwear Changes Color

Don't blame your washing machine for the bleached patch in your underwear. Vaginal pH is typically acidic (about 3.8–4.5) for most of your cycle. This acidity protects against infections, is hostile to sperm, and can bleach the color of your underwear. Around ovulation, your cervical mucus becomes more alkaline (about pH 7), which helps sperm survive and supports fertility2.

How Much Blood Do You Actually Lose?

On average, women lose between 10 and 80 ml of blood per period, about two to three shot glasses4.

Final Thoughts

A woman's body is remarkable. Month after month during your reproductive years, it goes through cyclic changes that reach beyond the uterus and ovaries, from digestion to fertility to the cycle itself. That's why it's worth keeping an eye on your cycle. With a fertility tracker like Daysy, you can better understand how it shapes your life.

Read More

The female cycle is regulated and influenced by a finely tuned interplay of various hormones. Learn how they change throughout the cycle and what effect they have.

Hormones & Menstrual Cycle

Are you experiencing symptoms such as missed periods, mood swings, or acne after stopping the pill? Discover helpful tips and recommendations on how to restore balance to your cycle.

Post-Pill-Syndrome

Find out when cycle irregularities should be a cause for concern and when it’s advisable to see a doctor. Discover important signs of menstrual irregularities, from missed periods to heavy bleeding.

Menstrual Cycle Disorders

Sources

1)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Committee Opinion No. 651: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 126, e143–e146 (2015).
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001215. Available at: www.acog.org .
2)
Speroff, L.; Fritz, M. A. Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. Wolters Kluwer / Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
3)
Baerwald, A. R.; Adams, G. P.; Pierson, R. A. A new model for ovarian follicular development during the human menstrual cycle. Fertility and Sterility. 80(1), 116-122 (2003).
DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(03)00544-2. Available at: www.fertstert.org .
4)
Hallberg, L.; Högdahl, A. M.; Nilsson, L.; Rybo, G. Menstrual blood loss – a population study: variation at different ages and attempts to define normality. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 45(3), 320–351 (1966).
DOI: 10.3109/00016346609158455.
8)
Danilenko, K. V., Sergeeva, O. Y., & Verevkin, E. G. Menstrual cycles are influenced by sunshine. Gynecological Endocrinology. 27(9, 711–716 (2011).
DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2010.521266. Available at: www.tandfonline.com .

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