The Post-Ovulation Descent

How to honor your body's shift from peak energy to deeper sensitivity — and ease PMDD symptoms mid-cycle

Brett Buchert · March 27, 2025

At ovulation, our energy, expression, and estrogen PEAK! The peak itself is usually pretty enjoyable. But what goes up, must come down.

This is what I call the Post-Ovulation Descent

The Post-Ovulation Descent is when estrogen levels start to decrease after ovulation. We may feel a decrease in our energy and our outward expression as well.

It can be jarring.

You were on top of the world, then all the sudden you're falling off. If you struggle with PMDD around ovulation, this may be why. It usually felt like severe overwhelm to me.

But through cycle awareness, we can learn to consciously step down from the peak of ovulation, rather than falling off and crashing.

How to Honor the Post-Ovulation Descent

1 - Notice it - When you're mid-cycle flying high and then feel a soft "no" from your deeper self, or a gentle tug away from what you're doing or the people around you, this is the moment! It may also feel like being overwhelmed, worried, tired…

2 - Step down - Step away from the task at hand, if only just for a moment and do something more soothing like getting a cup of tea, taking a shower, sitting in the grass...

3 - Accept - We can't ride the energy of ovulation forever. It's okay to feel this downward, inward pull. This type of energy and expression is meaningful too, even if we're still figuring out how.

4 - Return or relax - If you're feeling alright, go back to what you were doing. Maybe wrap things up early. If this shift is feeling extra strong, honor it with resting and relaxing (if that's possible with work and family and all). This will serve you as your luteal phase gets into swing.

I used to push through feelings of extreme overwhelm right after ovulation, trying to keep up the same energy. But when I started honoring this shift—taking a step back instead of forcing through—I noticed a huge difference. 🌙

Instead of spiraling into PMDD, I’d often feel a lot better the next day, able to return to my activities and projects.

This is such a simple shift, but it can make a big difference.

Try it out: when you feel that peak start to turn downward, pause. Breathe. Adjust. Let your body guide you instead of pushing against it.

Have you noticed this moment in your cycle?