The Altar

The Cascade

Your brain runs this cycle, not your ovaries. The hypothalamus pulses GnRH every 60-90 minutes. That signal tells the pituitary to release FSH and LH. Those reach the ovaries, which respond with estrogen and progesterone. Those hormones feed back to the brain — closing the loop. The curves on this chart are the visible result of that conversation between brain and ovary.

Estrogen

Builds the uterine lining. Early in the cycle, rising estrogen suppresses FSH (so only one follicle wins). But when estrogen stays above ~200 pg/mL for 48 hours, the feedback flips — it triggers the LH surge instead. This switch is what makes ovulation happen. Estrogen also boosts mood, energy, skin clarity, and verbal fluency.

Progesterone

Made by the corpus luteum — the structure left behind after the egg releases. Its job: hold the uterine lining stable for implantation. It also slows GnRH pulses (which is why FSH rises again as the corpus luteum fades). Peaks 7 days post-ovulation — that's the blood draw window. When it drops, prostaglandins trigger the spiral arterioles to constrict, the lining sheds, and the cycle restarts.

LH — Luteinizing Hormone

Surges ~10-fold mid-cycle to trigger ovulation 24-36 hours later. The LH spike is what ovulation tests detect. This surge only happens when estrogen crosses the threshold and flips from suppressing to stimulating the pituitary. Otherwise stays low.

FSH — Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Recruits a cohort of follicles early in the cycle. As one dominant follicle pulls ahead and makes more estrogen + inhibin B, FSH is suppressed — the others fade. Small secondary rise at ovulation. Rises again as the corpus luteum dies, recruiting next cycle's cohort before this cycle even ends.

Chong Mai · Sea of Blood

The Chong Mai transforms kidney essence (jing) into menstrual blood. It fills, peaks, holds, and empties — mirroring the hormone curves above. Menstruation = emptying. Follicular = filling. Ovulation = overflowing (yin becomes yang). Luteal = holding. When depleted: scanty periods, thin lining, difficulty conceiving.

Ren Mai · Conception Vessel

Runs up the midline of the body. All yin channels converge here. Its name means "to bear." Governs hormonal function, yin nourishment, and fertility. The acupuncture point CV4 (three inches below the navel) warms the uterus — the most direct point on this vessel.

Tian Gui · 天癸

Not menstrual blood — the capacity for reproductive function itself. Refined from kidney essence over a lifetime. At 33, you are in the fifth seven-year cycle (28-35): past peak but not yet at the inflection point where Yangming declines. TCM says nourishing kidney jing becomes proactive now, not optional. This loosely mirrors AMH's gradual decline.

Tongue · a daily check-in

Your tongue changes across the cycle. Menstrual: paler (blood descending). Follicular: pinkens (blood building). Ovulation: pinkest. Luteal: coating thickens. Late luteal: edges may darken (liver qi). Morning, before eating, in natural light — that's the window for an honest read.