Have you come across the term “luteal phase” on social media, but haven’t a clue what it means?
Well, we’re here to help…
The luteal phase is part of the menstrual cycle, and it comes before menstruation and after ovulation.
It begins around day 15 of a 28-day cycle, and it ends when you get your period.
The luteal phase prepares your uterus for pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining.
Not everyone experiences symptoms during their luteal phase, but a lot of people experience PMS during the latter stage as their progesterone levels decrease.
These symptoms can include mood swings, bloating, break-outs, fatigue, and changes in your appetite.
The luteal phase has become a huge topic of conversation on social media as of late, with the hashtag #lutealphase attracting millions of views on TikTok.
It all started when a TikTok user named Sam Doll (@sam_d0ll) spoke about how “horrifying” the luteal phase can be in a now-viral video.
She said: “So, you’re telling me that all women have the thing where you wake up ugly one day out of nowhere? Truly thought that only happened to me.”
“You don’t understand the relief I felt initially when I found out that it was everybody, but then sinister thoughts followed, and guys, I’m not happy with what I’m about to say.”
@sam_d0ll the luteal phase is horrifying
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“When I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror and saw an 85-year-old woman that grew up in trenches. I thought, ‘Interesting. I don’t remember going to war.’”
“Then I realised, ‘Oh no, it’s that phenomenon that’s happening where I’m suddenly the ugliest person I’ve ever heard of.’”
Sam then explained that she went scrolling for answers on TikTok, and found out about the luteal phase – which she joked was a time that women turn “insane.”
She went on to say: “During this phase, our hormones are plummeting, and all of a sudden we’re irritable, and we’re bloated, and our faces are like different shapes, and we’re mean as hell. I feel fat, but also so, so, so hungry.”
“Isn’t evolution supposed to benefit us?… Like what the hell does a luteal phase do for anybody? Good God, what a benefit. For two weeks, she’s angry at everyone and can’t stop eating, but still thinks she’s fat and also by the way there’s a genetic flaw where she won’t remember this two weeks later when it happens again.”
“Who is that benefiting? Darwin? The men? Is it? Don’t say it benefits men. Don’t tell me I evolved for men,” the writer added.
Sam’s video has over 2.5million likes on the platform, with many people sharing their experiences with the luteal phase in the comment section.
One wrote: “The luteal phase should be illegal,” while a second penned: “I’m at the end of my luteal phase. it’s been ABSOLUTE HELL. Mentally it’s SO DRAINING.”
Check out some more videos about the luteal phase below:
@rael The difference is too drastic 🥹 🫠 #periods #periodtok #follicularphase #lutealphase #cyclesyncing
@lizettesimmonss It took me so long to understand the different phases of my cycle. Luteal phase is the most brutal but 100% normal to feel this way! Learn yourself & how you can semi-comfortably ride it out 🫶🏽 #cyclesyncing #lutealphase
@libertye444 just last week i felt like the hottest person alive #lutealphase #womanhood #fyp #foryou
@giannarenata He knows i dont mean it and i love him #overstimulation #lutealphase #hormones #sick #teaching #fyp
