03-02-2016, 20:39
(02-02-2016, 20:56)almosthourglass Wrote: I've been researching the menstrual cycle. Most agree that estrogen is high in the follicular phase, while progesterone is low and progesterone is high during the luteal phase, while estrogen is low. However some charts show a second surge of estrogen during the luteal phase, still lower than progesterone. Some charts do not show this second surge of estrogen and have it continually low during the luteal phase. Does anyone know what's going on with that? I'm trying to decide what herbs and when.
Also, some say that taking phytoestrogens will lower your actual estrogen, which is stronger in effect. Others say phytoestrogens will stimulate breast growth when your own estrogen currently isn't. I'm having a hard time understanding this.
Thanks!
The second surge is the more accurate. While not AS high in luteal as progesterone, it's not down to bare minimum either.
There is some variance between different women, and even between cycles in the same woman, and as can be seen on the wikimedia version that variance can be so low as to be almost flat, but even then, it isn't truly flat, it's just a less pronounced parabolic.
Phytoestrogens are not all equal. Some are stronger in effect than others. Some compete for receptors more than others. Some herbs that contain them contain more than others. Results are going to vary depending on your own particular differences from other women.