Luteal Uglies & How the Menstrual Cycle Affects You

You may be unfamiliar with the name, but very familiar with the feeling. The luteal phase has recently attracted attention online through phrases such as “the luteal uglies” - a light-hearted term people use to describe feeling less confident, more bloated or unhappy with their appearance before a period.

The luteal phase begins after ovulation and ends when your next period starts. 

During this time, your two main reproductive hormones are doing a lot of work. Oestrogen is the hormone that drives the first half of your cycle - before ovulation - and supports skin, mood and energy.

Progesterone rises after ovulation to help prepare the body for a possible pregnancy.

“In the days before your period, both hormones drop sharply. That dip is real, and it does show up in the body,” Dr Mariam Farshchi, one of our private GPs, assures us.

For most women, this is when PMS symptoms begin to appear:

• Bloating or breast tenderness

• Tiredness or disrupted sleep

• Headaches or breakouts

• Food cravings or appetite changes

• Irritability, anxiety or mood swings

• Difficulty concentrating

“With all this going on, it’s easy to feel like a worse version of yourself, even though nothing about your actual appearance has changed in any meaningful way,” Dr Mariam says.

Although the phrase “luteal uglies” may feel relatable, you are not actually becoming less attractive. Temporary bloating, spots, fatigue and changes in mood can simply alter how you feel about yourself.

The follicular phase begins on the first day of menstruation and continues until ovulation. Once your period ends, rising oestrogen helps an egg develop while the lining of the uterus begins to thicken again.

As hormone levels rise, you may notice that your energy gradually returns. Some people feel more motivated, sociable or mentally focused during this part of the cycle. The Office on Women’s Health notes that energy may be higher during the first half of a typical cycle, although this will not be true for everyone.

You might also feel more interested in exercise, work, social plans or starting something new. Think of these changes as possible patterns to observe rather than rules your body must follow.