Hormonal

Women exercising in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle utilize significantly less muscle glycogen and exhibit lower glucose turnover rates compared to women in the follicular phase or men during moderate-intensity endurance exercise.

If you are a female endurance athlete, be aware that during the luteal phase (post-ovulation), your body relies less on muscle glycogen and more on fat oxidation compared to the follicular phase. This shift in fuel economy might allow you to sustain effort differently, but it also means your glucose turnover is lower. You may not need to fuel as aggressively with carbohydrates during long, moderate-intensity sessions in this phase, or you may experience different fatigue patterns due to altered glycogen sparing.