Can tracking your menstrual cycle make you better at your job? (Spoiler alert: yes)
Discover how syncing your work with the four phases of your menstrual cycle can boost productivity, reduce burnout, and help you thrive.
The menstrual cycle is more than a biological rhythm—it’s a powerful tool for optimizing your work and wellbeing. By understanding the hormonal shifts that occur across the four phases of your cycle, you can sync your tasks, energy, and self-care practices to align with your body’s natural ebb and flow.
So, how does it work? Let’s explore each phase in depth: what’s happening hormonally, how it affects your mind and body, and most importantly, how to work with it instead of against it.
Menstrual Phase: Rest, Reflect, and Plan
Hormonal Profile: Estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels. The uterine lining sheds, marking the beginning of a new cycle.
How You Might Feel: Low energy, cramps, fatigue, mental fog, or a desire to retreat inward (Ponzo et al., 2022; McNulty et al., 2020). Possible relief from PMS and increased intuition or clarity.
Productivity Strengths: Strategic thinking, objective review, intentional planning.
- Prioritize rest—especially on heavier flow days.
- Review progress and plan for the month ahead.
- Focus on solo tasks or light administrative work.
- Journal or brainstorm without pressure to act.
- Communicate boundaries and avoid overcommitting.
Follicular Phase: High Energy and Creativity
Hormonal Profile: Estrogen rises steadily, while progesterone stays low. Testosterone increases slightly.
How You Might Feel: Energized, motivated, optimistic, social, mentally sharp, creatively inspired (Hromatko et al., 2023; Sundström Poromaa & Gingnell, 2014).
Productivity Strengths: Starting projects, brainstorming, problem-solving, learning new skills.
- Schedule strategic, creative, or analytical work.
- Launch new initiatives, write proposals, create content.
- Plan collaborative meetings or brainstorming sessions.
- Step into leadership roles or take on new tasks.
- Be mindful not to overcommit—energy will dip later.
Ovulatory Phase: Peak Confidence and Communication
Hormonal Profile: Estrogen and testosterone peak. Luteinizing hormone surges to trigger ovulation.
How You Might Feel: Confident, charismatic, socially magnetic, emotionally intelligent, verbally fluent (Galasińska & Szymków, 2022; Schleifenbaum et al., 2021; Sundström Poromaa & Gingnell, 2014).
Productivity Strengths: Communication, visibility, leadership, networking, collaboration.
- Schedule meetings, interviews, or presentations.
- Lead team events or host webinars.
- Advocate for yourself—ask for that raise or pitch your idea.
- Connect and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
- Share your work with confidence.
Luteal Phase: Focus, Completion, and Self-Care
Hormonal Profile: Progesterone dominates; estrogen rises then drops if no pregnancy occurs.
How You Might Feel: Early luteal: calm focus. Late luteal (PMS): mood swings, irritability, fatigue, brain fog (Sundström Poromaa & Gingnell, 2014).
Productivity Strengths: Deep focus, detail work, completion, organization.
- Start with focused, independent tasks.
- Edit, audit, and wrap up projects.
- Set realistic boundaries and say no when needed.
- Plan lighter days during PMS.
- Organize, update workflows, and allow time for rest.
Why It Matters
Understanding your menstrual cycle gives you a personalized blueprint for managing your time, energy, and expectations more effectively. With Incora Smart Earrings, you can stay effortlessly connected to where you are in your cycle—so you can plan your workload with intention and thrive in your own rhythm.
Let’s keep it real: this isn’t about perfection. Don’t let cycle syncing become another pressure on your plate. Life and work don’t always align with biology—and that’s okay. Women are adaptable. If you’re giving a presentation through cramps and brain fog? You’re powerful. The point is context, not constraint. Use it to be kinder to yourself and more strategic with your time.
Community Feature
Want to see how Kristine Kring (Founder, Creative Strategist, Advisor, Ex-McKinsey) schedules her work days in different phases of her cycle?
References
- Ponzo, S., et al. (2022). The impact of menstrual cycle symptoms on workplace productivity in U.S. women. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
- McNulty, K. L., et al. (2020). Menstrual cycle phase and exercise performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine.
- Hromatko, I., et al. (2023). Mood fluctuations across the menstrual cycle in naturally cycling women. BMC Women’s Health.
- Galasińska, K., & Szymków, M. (2022). Creativity peaks during ovulation: Hormonal influences on divergent thinking. Archives of Sexual Behavior.
- Schleifenbaum, E., et al. (2021). Self-perception across the menstrual cycle: Evidence from a large-scale diary study. Psychological Science.
- Sundström Poromaa, I., & Gingnell, M. (2014). Menstrual cycle influence on cognitive function and emotion processing—from a reproductive perspective. Frontiers in Neuroscience.
- NIH NICHD (2010). Hormone fluctuations linked to emotional and cognitive changes during menstrual cycle.
