Menstruation is once again a hot topic on social media, thanks to a new health trend known as “cycle syncing”.

It involves aligning your diet and exercise habits to each phase of your menstrual cycle. For example, you may only do gentle exercises such as yoga or eat more fermented foods during the first phase of menstruation.

Social media influencers are spruiking cycle syncing as a more natural way for women to manage negative symptoms, such as period pain, and be more in tune with their bodies.

So how does it work? And is it supported by research?

During menstruation, the body sheds the uterus lining to prepare for pregnancy. This usually happens every 28–35 days. But bleeding is only one part of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle can be divided into three main phases:

follicular phase, where the body releases a hormone called the follicle-stimulating hormone to help follicles grow in the uterus

follicular phase, where the body releases a hormone called the follicle-stimulating hormone to help follicles grow in the uterus

ovulation, where the ovary releases a mature egg that may or may not be fertilised

ovulation, where the ovary releases a mature egg that may or may not be fertilised

luteal phase, where the body........

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