Most advice about diet, exercise, and even productivity is based on the male body, which runs on a relatively steady 24-hour hormone cycle. Women, however, have a monthly rhythm that changes week by week.
That means women are literally different beings from one day to the next. What feels easy and energizing in one phase might feel overwhelming in another, and that’s normal.
The Female Cycle at a Glance
- Follicular phase (Day 1–14): Estrogen rises. Energy and focus improve. Great time for new projects, strength training, social activities.
- Ovulation (mid-cycle): Peak energy, confidence, and drive.
- Luteal phase (Day 15–28): Progesterone dominates. The body slows down, cravings may increase, energy dips. Better for restorative exercise and planning.
- Menstrual phase: Energy is lowest. The body is busy with its own process - a natural time for rest, reflection, and gentler movement.
A Note for Perimenopause & Menopause
Not every woman follows a monthly cycle. During perimenopause, hormone levels shift in new ways, and after menopause the classic 28-day rhythm stops. Even without a monthly cycle, your body still has hormonal activity and acupuncture can support this stage too. Many women find relief from hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes, and mood swings, while also feeling more balanced overall.
Why This Matters
- Women who try to live on a “male schedule” (same workout intensity, same productivity expectations every day) often feel like they’re failing.
- In reality, their bodies are asking for different support depending on the cycle phase.
- This mismatch can lead to burnout, worsening PMS, irregular cycles, and more pain.
How Acupuncture Supports Women’s Rhythms
- Eases PMS symptoms (cramps, bloating, irritability, headaches).
- Regulates cycles and balances hormone fluctuations.
- Improves sleep and energy by calming the nervous system.
- Supports fertility by improving blood flow and ovulation health.
Acupuncture can help to regulate hormones, improve blood flow, calm the nervous system, and ease inflammation. Acupuncture doesn't force the body into a rigid pattern. Instead, it helps each phase of the cycle flow more smoothly, so you feel more in rhythm with yourself.
What Patients Notice
- Periods that are less painful and more predictable
- Fewer mood swings and less irritability
- Energy that feels more stable across the month
- More self-compassion: understanding why some days feel harder than others
Your body is not meant to run on a 24-hour repeat cycle. It has its own wisdom and rhythm. When you learn to honor that with your nutrition, your workouts, your goals, and with support like acupuncture, life begins to feel less like a fight and more like flow.
This is only the start of the conversation. Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing more posts on topics like PMS, perimenopause, and how acupuncture supports women through every stage of life. My goal is to make this a space where women feel informed and empowered, where women can approach each stage of life with clarity and confidence.
Katrena Haney
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