Is the Luteal Phase Actually Two Phases?
A cycle-sensitive investigation into why your post-ovulation fire and late-luteal waves might need a rebrand
Brett Buchert · March 30, 2025
Is the luteal phase actually two phases?
Let's chat.
According to science, the menstrual cycle is split into TWO phases: follicular and luteal.
Follicular starts on your first day of bleeding, includes menstruation and ends at ovulation (Days 1-14). *assuming a classic 28 day cycle
Luteal starts right after ovulation and ends at the start of your next period Days 15-28).
In the menstrual cycle awareness world, the cycle is generally separated into FOUR phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal.
Menstrual (Days 1-5ish) 🩸
Follicular (Days 6-11ish) 🌸
Ovulatory (Days 12-20ish) ☀️
Luteal (Days 21-28) 🌧️
Under this model, the ovulatory phase precedes, includes, and continues after ovulation, into what you might consider the luteal phase.
A lot of us cycle-sensitive/PMDD girlies may feel more like the luteal phase starts right after ovulation, with a noticeable shift in our energy and mood after estrogen peaks 📈 and then starts to decline 📉.
And if that’s the case, it really feels to me like it needs to be split into two distinct sub-phases: Post-Ovulation and Late-Luteal.
To me, week 1 of luteal feels markedly different to week 2. The first week for me is typically more anxious and angsty. The fire of ovulation still rages but now it has a bite and spice to it. 🔥
The second week of luteal feels more depressive to me, like a flood quenches the fire and I am left treading water. Sometimes this second week of luteal is more peaceful and calm to me, until those last couple days before my bleed where I am revved and ready for release. 🌊
Hormonally, this sub-phase structure would match well with the rise of progesterone 📈 in the first week and the fall of progesterone 📉 in the second week.
What do you think? Does the luteal phase feel like two sub-phases to you? Or is post-ov part of the ovulatory phase?
*And I want to note that none of these 'phases' actually even exist as concrete entities and distinctions. They were made up by us people to better classify, study, and understand the menstrual cycle. What actually exists is me, my body, my cycle - you, your body, your cycle. If the box doesn't fit, get a different box.
