Holiday gift guide season is upon us!

While I think holiday gift guides are super useful (I’ve personally found a lot of great gifts that way!) I also think they can be overwhelming…and sometimes convince you that you need a bunch of stuff you really don’t? 

Or put this intense time pressure that you have to buy things RIGHT NOW while they’re on sale. And the last thing I want to do is add more stress to your plate (so not hormone supportive lol!)

So this year I wanted to do something a bit different…enter in my cycle syncing toolkits for your follicular, ovulatory, luteal and menstrual phases. 

These could be a gift guide (and there are some great seasonal discounts if that’s something you’d find helpful) but it’s also a guide you can use year round if you’re looking for a little extra hormone health support. 

In this post, you’ll find specific products I use and love (or are on my personal wishlist) during my follicular and ovulatory phases, based on the hormonal fluctuations (more on that below). 

Each item can help support or balance your hormones during these phases, helping you mitigate symptoms, tap into your innate natural rhythm and ultimately help you look and feel your best!

WHAT IS THE FOLLICULAR PHASE?

The follicular phase is one of the four phases of a menstrual cycle. It starts the first day after your period ends and typically lasts 7 -10 days, when your ovaries begin ripening an egg in preparation for ovulation. 

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO HORMONES DURING YOUR FOLLICULAR PHASE

At the start of the follicular phase, your pituitary gland releases a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates the follicles (which contain a woman’s eggs) in one of the ovaries to mature. In response, the pituitary gland then starts to release luteinizing hormone, or LH, which is responsible for ovulation. Under normal circumstances, only one of these follicles will “ripen” and become mature.

At the beginning of the follicular phase, estrogen and testosterone levels are typically low, then slowly ramp up during this phase. As this happens, you’ll begin to experience a boost in energy, mood, and brain skills. You’ll start to feel more confident, powerful, and willing to take more risks. Testosterone starts to stimulate your libido, while also making you feel a bit bolder.

As ovulation approaches, the uterine lining thickens in preparation for pregnancy. The cervix remains low and closed, but gradually opens and starts producing wetter quality cervical fluid, designed to help sperm travel and survive the long journey to the egg. 

WHAT IS THE OVULATORY PHASE?

The ovulatory phase is another one of the four phases of a menstrual cycle. It typically begins midway through your cycle, when a surge of luteinizing hormone, LH, causes the dominant follicle in your ovaries to burst open and release an egg into the fallopian tube, where it waits to be potentially fertilized by sperm (aka this is your fertile window where conception can take place). 

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO HORMONES DURING YOUR OVULATORY PHASE

Ovulation typically occurs somewhere between days 12-17 of your menstrual cycle and is short, usually only lasting 2-3 days. Right before ovulation, you get a surge of luteinizing hormone, LH, which causes the dominant follicle to burst open and release an egg into the fallopian tube. The egg will be viable for roughly 12-24 hours, and if it’s not fertilized by sperm (which can live up to five days in the female body), it will disintegrate. 

Hormonally, levels of estrogen and testosterone are at their peak during this phase, helping you feel magnetic, energetic, outgoing, confident and sexy while optimizing your creativity and communication skills. Your libido is running high, in order to naturally get you in the mood during your fertile window and attract a mate with “genetic potential.”

Physically, your uterine lining continues to thicken in preparation for a potential pregnancy, while your cervix opens and starts producing wetter quality cervical fluid (similar to the consistency of egg whites), designed to help sperm travel and survive the long journey to the egg in order to conceive.

 

WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

As you can see, the follicular and ovulatory phases bring their own set of vibes, and while each one is unique, the general theme is you are FEELING YOURSELF. You want to go out and try new things, see and be seen! The energy is magnetic, confident, bold, social and sexy, making this THE time to focus on connection, creative endeavors, adventures, new beginnings, moving your body and building endurance. 

It’s also a KEY time to focus on supporting detoxification in order to eliminate any excess estrogen, which can otherwise lead to a less than ideal luteal phase (helloooo pms). 

You’ll find all of my follicular and ovulatory faves embody these outgoing, energetic and natural beauty-enhancing vibes, helping you fully lean into your inner spring and summer seasons in order to feel your absolute best. Snag all of the details, links and discounts below!

 

OVULATORY + FOLLICULAR PHASE FAVES FOR BALANCED HORMONES

1.  Party Coupes

These are so cute and make a great vehicle for adrenal cocktails and hormone supportive mocktails! 

2. Dry Brush 

This ancient Ayurvedic ritual is designed to boost circulation, supplying oxygen and vital nutrients to organs (like your ovaries!) which is important for optimal ovulation and fertility. It also stimulates lymphatic drainage and flushes out excess toxins and waste, making it the perfect little detox routine that also feels really nice on your skin (and improves it’s texture and tone!) I love this dry brush which has the ideal bristle (not too hard, not too soft, just right!) *Use code SOFRESH25 to save 25% off November 22-27th!

3. Face Cupping Tool

Cupping therapy has been around for centuries and has a number of benefits, including stimulating your body’s natural detox systems through lymphatic drainage, which is key for removing excess waste products and toxins (and remember, now is an important time to support detoxification!) I love these cupping tools, which also help increase blood flow and circulation, working to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and stimulating collagen production. 

The perfect glass tumbler to take your smoothies and beverages on the go because the follicular and ovulatory phases tend to be busy, amiright?! Love that these look cute, are super functional (protective sleeve and dishwasher safe!) and there’s not a trace of plastic. 

7. The Hormone Balancing Blueprint

During your follicular phase, you’re more open and willing to try new things, making this the perfect time to start a new course and implement some game changing hormone healthy habits. This course is my pride and joy, and it’s designed in a way that’s not only easy to digest but actually take ACTION, getting you real results. If you struggle with any sort of symptom or condition of hormone imbalance, want to learn more about your cycle and hormones and how to support them, are coming off birth control, trying to get pregnant or simply desire to feel and look your absolute best, then this was made for you. *Get on the waitlist here, doors open January 2025 for the only time the entire year!

8. Gua Sha

Another tool I rely on daily to promote natural detoxification while also significantly boosting your skin’s overall health and appearance! This practice derives from ancient Chinese medicine and opens up your lymphatic pathways, promoting drainage of cellular waste and supporting the optimal flow of blood, oxygen and vital nutrients (which is key to healthy ovarian function and egg quality!) Stagnant lymph and accumulation of buildup is what leads to inflammation and aging skin, so gua sha is also an effective, natural alternative to botox. *Use code SOFRESH25 to save 25% off November 22-27th!

9. Ninja Creami

This is on my personal wish list (hint hint hubby) because I am DREAMING of all of the delicious, high protein treats I can make in it. I tend to crave cooler foods when I’m ovulating (which makes sense, given that Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to this as a “hot” phase of your cycle) and love that this would enable me to make my own creamy, cold treats at home that aren’t laden with sugar, conventional dairy or weird ingredients that can disrupt your gut or hormones.

10. Infrared Sauna Blanket

The GOAT of detoxing, I am truly obsessed with the infrared sauna. Not only does it promote detoxification via sweating (so important to rid your body of any excess estrogen that could lead to uncomfortable symptoms the second half of your cycle) but it boosts circulation (sending oxygen to those vital organs like your ovaries), and is also major for sleep, improving your mood and providing stress relief. We have (and regularly use) our infrared cabin at home, but I am hoping to add the blanket into our rotation as it looks so much more comfy, and is currently 25% off! 

11. Arrae Bloat Supplements

Bloat often fluctuates with your hormones, and it tends to occur either during ovulation or afterwards, during your luteal phase, due to the surge of LH, decline of estradiol and increase in progesterone. I swear by Arrae Bloat supplements, which only contain six real, potent herbs like ginger and dandelion root, that help to naturally combat bloat, speed up digestion and improve transit time. *Get 20% off site wide from November 17-28. 

12. Ankle Weights

Due to the rise in estrogen and testosterone, your follicular and ovulatory phases are an amazing time to build strength, muscle mass (so important for your metabolism, blood sugar and hormone health!) and endurance. Most women find they have more energy to kick up the intensity during these phases, making it the perfect time to add some extra resistance onto your walks and workouts (or just chores around the house!)

13. Tinned Fish

Okay this might be random but this is such an amazing time to incorporate omega-3 rich fish like sardines, mackerel, salmon and tuna into your diet. These fish are highly anti-inflammatory (and oxidative stress tends to spike during ovulation) as well as loaded with protein and hormone-healthy vitamins and minerals like selenium (especially important for your thyroid) and vitamin D (necessary for optimal fertility). I am obsessed with this brand — the taste and quality can’t be beat and the packaging is as cute as it gets!

14. Theragun

Perfect to help relieve the tension of sore muscles from all of those high intensity workouts you’re inclined to do during these phases! Love this mini version which packs the same punch for a more budget-friendly (and cute) option. 

15. Castor Oil Pack

This amazing anti-inflammatory tool supports your liver in detoxing excess estrogen, along with healthy blood circulation and reducing stress. They can be especially beneficial for anyone who suffers from pms and painful periods, which is typically a result of estrogen dominance (and estrogen peaks during ovulation!) I highly recommend this brand, which is completely organic, third-party tested and is lightweight and breathable (the material really matters here). 

16. Running Shoes

Now is the perfect time to get your run on, and these shoes are as comfortable as it gets!

 

SHOP MY FOLLICULAR + OVULATORY PHASE FAVES

 

MORE CYCLE SYNCING RESOURCES

+ Luteal + Menstrual Phase Cycle-Syncing Faves

+ Cycle-Syncing Food Chart + Recipes 

+ Cycle-Syncing Workouts Guide

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