To begin to talk about what is abnormal about women's menstrual cycles, we have to first understand what is normal. Most doctors and experts tend to talk about the two phases of a menstrual cycle, but to more accurately represent the lived experience of having a menstrual cycle, we think four phases are more accurate. These are: Menstrual, Follicular, Ovulatory & Luteal. Each phase has its own level of energy, physical changes, and hormone processes in the body. Each one also tells us a little bit about how you feel in the world at that time of the month.