There’s so much more to the menstrual cycle than just your period, and it rarely follows a neat 28-day schedule. In this video, I’ll walk through the phases of a ‘functional’ menstrual cycle, how long each phase lasts, and why the commonly cited 28-day cycle is often an oversimplification.

In the process, you’ll pick up key terms and phrases you can use when talking to your doctor, so you can advocate better for your health with confidence. Let’s dive in and get a clearer picture of what’s really going on in your body!

Also, check out our Menstrual Cycle 30-day Journal Prompts and gain insight into how your menstrual cycle impacts your physical and emotional health day-to-day.