HI, I’M ANNE!

I am a consultant for Natural Family Planning (NFP) and cycle health.

I support women in many different phases of life in learning to understand their menstrual cycle. Perhaps you have paid little attention to your cycle so far. Yet it is much more than just your monthly bleeding: behind your cycle lies a finely tuned interplay of hormonal processes that influence, among other things, your energy, your mood, your immune system, and your performance.

Behind your cycle lies a complex hormonal system in which the two sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, interact in a sensitive balance: in the first phase of the cycle, up until ovulation, estrogen takes the lead and ensures that an egg matures in your ovaries and can eventually be released. At the same time, estrogen often has an activating effect – many women feel energized, mentally clear, and more sociable during this phase. After ovulation, progesterone takes over. This hormone prepares your body for a possible pregnancy, helps build reserves, and invites you to use your energy more mindfully. Depending on the phase, you may feel more productive and energetic, or calmer, more sensitive, and more reflective.

These changes are not a weakness, but your natural cyclical rhythm.

When you observe your cycle and its signs, you can:

• Manage your energy more effectively
• Deal with mood changes with greater understanding
• Perceive your needs more clearly
• Assess your performance more realistically
• Treat yourself with greater care
• Gain insights into your hormonal health

Your cycle is also a sensitive health marker. The length of your cycle, the duration of your menstruation, pain, or PMS can provide indications of how balanced your hormonal system is. If you would like to learn more about the different phases of the cycle and how they affect you and your daily life, feel free to follow me on Instagram. 

Start simply by tracking your menstruation. Add a track on each day that you experience fresh bleeding, ranging from bright red to dark red. You can already gain some insight into your cycle just by keeping an eye on the length of your cycles: a regular cycle that is medically considered normal ranges between 23 and 35 days. Variations of a few days are completely normal and not a cause for concern. If you notice larger irregularities, it may be worth taking a closer look.

In addition to your menstruation, you can also record light brown spotting or intermenstrual bleeding. These light bleedings may occur before or after your period or around ovulation.

During the first phase of your cycle, a secretion from your cervix changes: cervical mucus. The closer ovulation approaches, the more fluid, clear, and stretchy it becomes. You may notice traces of cervical mucus at the entrance of your vagina, when wiping with toilet paper, or in your underwear. Contrary to what many people fear, this secretion is not a sign of illness (and not “discharge” in a negative sense), but rather a completely natural cycle sign that signals fertility.

Add a track on all days when you notice cervical mucus. If you like, you can create separate tracks for different consistencies (for example, one track for whitish, creamy, thicker cervical mucus and another for stretchy, fluid, egg-white-like mucus).

Changes in breast tissue often occur under the influence of progesterone during the second phase of the cycle. Add a track on days when your breasts feel fuller, tight, sensitive to pressure, or slightly painful. During this time, you may also notice small firm areas that usually disappear with your next period.

Lower abdominal pain, as well as headaches, migraines, or other symptoms, may be related to your hormones. By observing them, you can more easily recognize whether they may be hormonally influenced and gain valuable insights into your health. If certain symptoms occur regularly or affect you strongly, documenting them can also help identify possible chronic conditions—such as endometriosis—and support medical evaluation. Add a track for recurring symptoms or create individual tracks for your personal signs.

Your body sends many additional signals during each cycle. These may include changes in your libido, your skin, your digestion, or your mood. The more you engage with your cycle, the easier it will become to recognize your personal patterns over time. Use your board to record these individual signs and observe their hormonal connections.