How The Four Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle May Affect Your Immunity – Cora

All of your wellness patterns can make a difference.

Many of the body’s rhythms rely on biological cycles called circadian rhythms to function, including your sleep, hunger, hormone release, and yes, your period. That’s one of the reasons why traveling internationally can not only lead to jet lag and eating chips at 9 am in the airport, but also to delays or disruptions in your menstrual cycle. Any interruption to these circadian rhythms, like anxiety-related insomnia, could cause added stress in the body. “Circadian rhythm disturbances can have a negative impact on a person’s immune system,” Dr. Cross says. “Chronic sleep deprivation, for example, can lead to a decreased immune response,” she adds. 

Also, besides that, the natural ebbs and flows (pun intended) of hormones in your cycle—you can find a refresher on these here—can have an effect on the immune system’s response. Here’s how each phase typically stacks up in terms of immune health.