Menstrual Cycle Powers 5: Building a Nest.

The early luteal phase: holding and nurturing what wants to grow.

And… do you know what your corpus luteum is ?

Just waiting for your period?

This is the phase of the menstrual cycle which is the least understood. Many women think that after ovulation their body has done most of the work for that month and we’re just waiting for our period. But in fact this is the phase where we use the most of our energies. That’s why some women feel hungry. We need the fuel.

What is the corpus luteum?

Most women don’t know about the corpus luteum and what it does. Do you?

It is an amazing organ which we grow every month, if we ovulate. If we don’t ovulate, we don’t produce a corpus luteum. Why may you not ovulate? It could be because you are tired or your body is doing something more important, like breastfeeding a baby. It could be because you are taking hormonal contraception which suppresses ovulation. In this case it can be interesting to reflect how your energies may feel different.

I have made a YT video which explains more as well if you want to listen to me talk.

The corpus luteum develops from the follicle (fluid filled sac) which released your egg at ovulation. It does this regardless of whether the egg is fertilised or not. The follicle takes cholesterol from your blood giving it a yellow colour. It becomes a temporary endocrine organ that continues building the lining of your womb for the possible implantation of an egg. It grows to be about 2 to 3 cm. Since your ovary is only 3 to 5 cm, this is quite big.

It is only if there is no implantation that it disintegrates. This causes a sudden drop in hormones which triggers menstruation a few days later.

If a fertilised egg implants, the corpus luteum continues for another ten weeks and becomes as big as 5cm. It generates progesterone, oestrogen, and relaxin to support pregnancy until the placenta has developed enough to take over. It’s a gradual handover, not one moment as I have heard some people describe. The body is wise. It takes time to make the handover. The corpus lutuem begins disintegrating around 8 weeks after conception gradually making way for the placenta.

We create a nest or cradle for a baby

Progesterone directs energy to create a nest to welcome the egg. It aids fluid retention, stimulating your womb lining to continue thickening to seven to nine mm. It increases temperature, to aid incubation and prepares breast tissue for pregnancy, sometimes causing swelling, pain and tenderness.

Your cervix closes to protect your egg. Cervical fluids become stickier, thickening into a plug to discourage sperm entering the womb. Your vagina becomes drier. Sexual desire tends to lessen.

It is essentially the first week of pregnancy while a fertilised egg will be spiralling down the fallopian tube and into the womb before it implants. This phase of the cycle prepares us for mothering. Again, our body is wise. We have been prepared each month we ovulate for the early stages of pregnancy. This week is also energetically about turning in and about learning how mother or to care for ourselves — and how to receive care from others.

This phase teaches us how to create inner and outer environments in which life, creativity, and healing can be supported.

I have a visualisation you might like to try which is about how we build a nest which could be for us for to support our creations.

The phase that needs energy

We need lots of energy for this phase which is a phase of nurturing, holding, and sustaining. Sugar cravings are your body’s cry for fuel.

All energies continue to build. Girdle (Dai) and Penetrating (Chong) Vessel gather Yin, Yang, Blood, Essence and Qi to support implantation. Women experience this phase differently depending on how much their energies have built. You may have less sexual desire and openness to your outer world because of the inner movement. Oestrogen is higher than for much of the follicular phase, so you may feel as creative, sensual and sexual as before ovulation. You may experience physical and emotional tension between these inner and outer movements. The Stepping (Qiao) Vessels facilitate the movement between Yin and Yang.

If your energy remains low, even during this fullest phase, you may feel scattered, indecisive and disorganised. This indicates a deep weakness in Essence as well as insufficient earthing in the Penetrating Vessel leg branches which cannot support the gathering of the Girdle.

If your energy is strong, but you resist this inner, slower movement Yang can disperse. This may express through anger, explosive emotional outbursts and binge eating. Slowing down and connecting with your Yin supports calmness.

Gifts of this phase

I create a safe space to support my creation.

I create a relationship with myself, so I can create relationships with others.

Luteal affirmations

I create a safe space to support my creation.

I create a relationship with myself, so I can create relationships with others.

Luteal Challenges

Can I allow my energy to withdraw inwards and slow down?

I’d love to hear if this is what you understand by this phase and also if you knew about the corpus luteum’s role.