Checking your period primarily involves tracking when it starts and ends, and noting any changes in flow, symptoms, or cycle length. Here's how you can effectively monitor your menstrual cycle:
1. Tracking Your Cycle: The Calendar Method
- Mark the First Day: The first day of your period (when bleeding starts) is day 1 of your cycle. Mark this on a physical calendar or using a period tracking app.
- Count the Days: Continue counting each day until the day before your next period begins. This gives you the total length of your cycle.
- Track for Several Months: Monitor your cycle for at least 3 months to determine your average cycle length. Cycle lengths vary, but a typical cycle is around 28 days. Anywhere between 21 and 35 days is usually considered normal.
2. Using Period Tracking Apps
Period tracking apps simplify the process and offer additional features. Popular apps include:
- Flo: Tracks periods, ovulation, and offers health insights.
- Clue: A data-driven app that helps you understand your unique cycle patterns.
- Eve by Glow: Focuses on sexual health and fertility tracking.
These apps typically allow you to log:
- Start and end dates of your period
- Flow intensity (light, medium, heavy)
- Symptoms (e.g., cramps, headaches, mood changes)
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) if tracking ovulation
3. Monitoring Period Symptoms
Pay attention to any physical or emotional symptoms you experience before, during, or after your period. This information can be helpful for identifying potential health issues and managing period symptoms. Common symptoms to track include:
- Cramps: Location, intensity, and duration.
- Bloating: Severity and timing.
- Headaches: Frequency and intensity.
- Mood changes: Irritability, anxiety, depression.
- Breast tenderness: Location and intensity.
- Changes in bowel movements: Diarrhea or constipation.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
4. Recognizing Irregularities
Knowing what's normal for your cycle allows you to recognize irregularities. Consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:
- Missed periods: Excluding pregnancy, missed periods can indicate hormonal imbalances, stress, or other underlying conditions.
- Unusually heavy bleeding: Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours.
- Bleeding between periods: Spotting or bleeding at unexpected times.
- Severe pain: Pain that interferes with daily activities.
- Sudden changes in cycle length: A cycle that suddenly becomes significantly shorter or longer.
- Periods stopping altogether.
5. Calculating Your Average Cycle Length
As mentioned in the reference, you can calculate your average cycle length if you don't want to use an app.
- Track the length of several cycles (at least 3).
- Add up the number of days in each cycle.
- Divide the total number of days by the number of cycles you tracked.
Example:
- Cycle 1: 28 days
- Cycle 2: 30 days
- Cycle 3: 26 days
Total days: 28 + 30 + 26 = 84 days
Average cycle length: 84 / 3 = 28 days
Checking your period involves regular tracking, symptom monitoring, and recognizing potential irregularities. Utilizing calendars and apps can streamline the process and empower you to better understand your menstrual health. Consult a healthcare provider for any concerning changes or questions.
