12/09/2023
Ladies, and anyone on hormone replacement/altering compounds, listen to your body! For women who are not on any type of hormonal contraceptive, working WITH your body is crucial to take care of yourself.
Key points during the follicular phase:
🏴☠️Rising Hormones: Estrogen levels gradually increase, contributing to an increase in energy and overall strength.
🏴☠️Optimal Time for Intense Workouts: Many women find this phase conducive to more challenging workouts, including strength training and high-intensity exercises.
🏴☠️Improved Recovery: The body’s ability to recover is often enhanced during the follicular phase, supporting more intense and frequent training sessions.
During the luteal phase, which occurs in the latter part of the menstrual cycle, hormonal changes can influence factors like ligament laxity and joint stability. This may potentially increase the risk of injury during intense or high-impact workouts:
🏴☠️Joint Laxity: Hormones like relaxin, which increase during the luteal phase, can affect joint stability by increasing ligament laxity. This may make joints more prone to injury, particularly in activities that involve sudden changes in direction or impact.
🏴☠️Decreased Recovery Capacity: Some women may experience increased fatigue and decreased recovery capacity during the luteal phase. Pushing too hard without adequate recovery can elevate the risk of overuse injuries.
🏴☠️Potential for Discomfort: Women may experience physical discomfort such as breast tenderness or bloating during the luteal phase, which could impact exercise performance and increase susceptibility to injury.
Listening to the body, adjusting workouts based on how one feels, and seeking guidance from healthcare or fitness professionals can contribute to a safer and more tailored approach to exercise throughout the hormone cycle. 🖤