Are you thinking about ditching hormonal birth control? I made the switch to hormone-free menstrual cycle tracking over five years ago—and it changed everything for me. I now use natural fertility awareness methods to track my cycle, and I’ve never felt more in tune with my body.

Wondering what happens during your menstrual cycle—and how you can work with it, not against it? Here's your easy guide to the 4 main menstrual cycle phases. Understanding each phase helps you optimize your workouts, nutrition, productivity, and self-care to ensure you feel savage every single day.