Tamara Hew-Butler, associate professor of Exercise & Sports Science in the College of Education, quoted in MSN, Live Science, “How the menstrual cycle can affect energy levels”
MSN, Live Science, 9/23
How the menstrual cycle can affect energy levels
By Becks Shepherd
Science has proven that exercising on your period is safe, and it could prove to be very beneficial. However, energy levels may be lower. Tamara Hew-Butler, associate professor of exercise physiology at Wayne State University, explains that women and those who menstruate tend to have lower energy levels during the second half of the menstrual cycle, known as the luteal phase which occurs during days 15 to 28. “The second two weeks – after ovulation, called the luteal phase – are characterized by high levels of progesterone and a smaller rise in estrogen. These high levels of progesterone, followed by a sudden drop in progesterone right before your period, seems to trigger an inflammatory response which precedes the onset of the ‘premenstrual’ symptoms,” Hew-Butler said. “Research suggests that the perception of low energy during the second half of the menstrual cycle mostly results from negative moods like irritability, anger and fatigue which increase the perception of fatigue.”