Why Do I Experience Symptoms 2 Days Before My Period?
As a woman, you are well aware of the changes that occur in your body during your menstrual cycle. Every month, you experience symptoms that are often uncomfortable and inconvenient, but they are also your body’s way of telling you things are working perfectly. However, if you experience symptoms 2 days before your period, you may be wondering why you’re going through it. This article aims to explore the answer to this question.
The Menstrual Cycle and Its Phases
To understand why you experience symptoms 2 days before your period, let’s first get familiar with the menstrual cycle and its different phases. The menstrual cycle is a complex interplay of hormonal changes that prepare your body to conceive and carry a fetus. The cycle comprises four distinct stages:
Menstrual Phase
The menstrual phase is when you bleed, marking the beginning of your cycle. During this phase, your uterus sheds its inner lining that it had prepared for the previous cycle, which eventually comes out as menstrual blood. This phase usually lasts between 3 to 7 days.
Follicular Phase
The follicular phase starts immediately after the menstrual phase and lasts up to ovulation. During this stage, the ovaries start maturing follicles, which are structures containing an egg that could be fertilized. The follicle starts producing estrogen, which thickens the lining of the uterus, preparing it for the possibility of pregnancy.
Ovulatory Phase
The ovulatory phase marks the release of the matured egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes, where it awaits fertilization. This phase usually lasts for one day, and it occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle.
Luteal Phase
The luteal phase marks the period between ovulation and the next menstrual cycle. During this phase, the remains of the follicle that released the egg develop into a structure called the corpus luteum, which produces the hormone progesterone. Progesterone prepares the uterus lining for the implantation of fertilized eggs and helps maintain a pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, and the progesterone levels decrease, initiating menstruation.
Why Do You Experience Symptoms 2 Days Before Your Period?
When you experience symptoms 2 days before your period, you’re likely in the luteal phase. During this time, your body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy, and hormonal changes occur. One of the hormones that increase during this phase is progesterone. Increased progesterone levels cause certain changes in your body that may result in symptoms such as:
– Breast tenderness: Increased progesterone levels cause breast tissues to swell, resulting in tenderness and soreness.
– Bloating: Progesterone can cause water retention in your body, resulting in bloating.
– Mood swings: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to mood swings, irritability, or anxiety.
– Headaches: The change in hormones can cause headaches or migraines.
Conclusion
Symptoms experienced 2 days before your period are associated with changes that happen during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone is a hormone that increases during this phase, leading to different symptoms, including breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, and headaches. These symptoms are inconvenient but are vital indicators of healthy menstrual cycle functioning. Understanding your menstrual cycle and the symptoms that come with it can help you better manage your symptoms.
