Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights:#1 Your menstrual cycle is a vital sign of your general well-being, and it is important to recognize that your period is a marker for underlying medical conditions and even chronic disease states.#2 Your period is a reflection of your genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. It is not the same for everyone, and there is a lot of variation out there. By getting comfortable with your cycle, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s going on in your body and what your symptoms mean.#3 The menstrual cycle is a natural cycle that women go through, and it is responsible for four distinct phases. As in the natural world, our bodies are constantly ebbing and flowing.#4 The first phase of your menstrual cycle is the bleeding phase, which lasts for about 3 to 7 days. It marks the start of the follicular phase, during which a region of your brain known as the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which instructs your pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone.