“Gross” and “pointless” – that’s how my friend’s teenage daughter described her period last month. My heart sank a little. But this dismissive attitude wasn’t her fault – it was ours. And our mothers’ and grandmothers’. Somewhere along the line, we’ve failed to educate women (young and old) about their menstrual cycles and their bodies.Â
And I realized how desperately we need to change -or perhaps start having – the conversation around menstruation. Because this gap in understanding doesn’t just affect teenagers – it extends to women of all ages, from puberty to perimenopause. For a process that impacts half the world’s population for decades, it’s astonishing how little most of us truly know about our menstrual cycles.
So let’s change that today. We’re taking it back to the very basics: the phases of the menstrual cycle, the importance of tracking your fertility, and what your menstrual cycle can reveal about your health. Let’s reframe our periods from an inconvenience to a monthly check-in with our incredible bodies.Â
The Basics: Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle
Your menstrual cycle is more than just the few days of menstruation each month. It’s a complex hormonal process that occurs throughout the month. On average, a menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but a range from 21 to 35 days is considered normal. Your menstrual cycle consists of four distinct phases, each playing a crucial role in your reproductive health:
- The Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5): Contrary to popular belief, this phase marks the beginning of your cycle, not the end. It typically lasts 4 to 6 days. During this time, your body sheds the uterine lining (endometrium) if pregnancy didn’t occur in the previous cycle.
- The Follicular Phase (Days 6-14 ): During this phase rising estrogen levels cause the uterine lining to thicken. At the same time, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) prompts follicles in your ovaries to grow.
- Ovulation (Around Day 14 in a 28-day cycle): Ovulation is just one day! Estrogen has peaked and a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the release of a mature egg from the ovary. This is the most fertile part of your cycle.
- The Luteal Phase (Days 15-28): After ovulation, the cycle enters its final phase. The released egg travels through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Progesterone levels rise, further preparing the uterine lining for potential pregnancy. If fertilization and implantation occur, pregnancy begins. If not, hormone levels drop, triggering menstruation and the start of a new cycle.
The Importance of Tracking Your Period Beyond Fertility
Tracking your period is important! Even if you’re in perimenopause and not planning (or trying to avoid) a pregnancy, it’s a powerful tool for understanding your body. Here’s why:
Health Indicator: Irregular periods, unusually heavy flow, or intense PMS symptoms aren’t just annoying – they can be your body’s way of signaling that something’s off. By tracking these patterns, you’re better equipped to spot potential issues early and have meaningful conversations with your healthcare provider.
It Helps Explain Mood Patterns: Tracking your cycle can help you identify patterns in how you feel throughout the month. This knowledge is incredibly empowering and can help you plan important events or book a little extra self-care.
It Can Help You Recognize Perimenopause: As you approach menopause, your cycles may become less predictable. Tracking can help you identify early signs of perimenopause, such as changes in cycle length or occasional missed periods. This knowledge is powerful. Because when you can connect the dots between your cycle changes and other symptoms, perimenopause becomes far less mysterious and much more manageable.
What Your Menstrual Cycle Reveals About Your Body
Tracking your menstrual cycle offers valuable insights into your health and well-being:
Your Unique Pattern: Every woman’s cycle is different. Tracking helps you understand your body’s normal rhythm, making it easier to spot irregularities.
Symptom Patterns: From cramps to mood swings, your cycle can bring a variety of symptoms. Tracking helps you identify when these occur, allowing you to prepare and manage them proactively.
Fertility Window: Even if you’re not trying to conceive, knowing when you ovulate can be useful for understanding mood and energy fluctuations.
Potential Health Issues: Changes in your cycle can be early warning signs of underlying health conditions. Regular tracking empowers you to notice these shifts and discuss them promptly with your doctor.
Perimenopause Progress: As you enter perimenopause, your cycles may change. Tracking helps you anticipate and navigate this transition with more confidence.
Overall Health Insights: Your menstrual cycle often reflects your overall health. Stress, diet, exercise, and illness can all impact it, making it a valuable indicator of your well-being.
Effective Methods for Tracking Your Period
Tracking your menstrual cycle doesn’t need to be a complex task. Here are some simple, effective methods to get you started:
Calendar Method: The basics work! Simply mark the first day of your period on a calendar each month. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns emerge.
Digital Apps: There are a ton of period tracking apps to choose from. These handy tools can predict your next period, alert you to ovulation, and allow you to log symptoms, mood changes, and energy levels throughout your cycle.
Remember, the goal isn’t to obsess over every little change. Instead, focus on gaining a better understanding of your body’s natural rhythms. This can give you important information to share with your healthcare provider, if needed.Â
What to Track
So what exactly should you be tracking every month?
Start and End Dates: When your period begins and ends each month to get a clear picture of your cycle length and regularity.
Flow: Is your flow heavier or lighter than usual? Are you changing your pad or tampon more or less often? Don’t shy away from noting any blood clots – it’s all valuable information.
Unusual Bleeding: Spotting between periods? Make a note of it. This could be important information for your healthcare provider.
Pain and Discomfort: While some cramping is normal, severe pain isn’t. Track the intensity and duration of any discomfort. Does it interfere with your daily activities?
Mood and Behavior Changes: Feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster? Jot it down. These changes can be closely tied to your hormonal fluctuations.
Other Physical Symptoms: Breakouts, breast tenderness, bloating – these are all worth noting. They can provide insights into your hormonal patterns.
Life Events: Big presentation at work? Stressful family situation? These events can impact your cycle, so it’s worth recording them too.
When to Consult Your Healthcare Provider
Tracking your cycle can provide valuable insight and might alert you to the need for a discussion with your doctor. Some symptoms to watch:
- Periods lasting longer than 7 days
- Extremely heavy bleeding (soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours)
- Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
- Severe menstrual pain
- Bleeding between periods
- Absence of periods for 3 months or more (excluding pregnancy or menopause)
- Bleeding after you’ve reached menopause
Trust your instincts. you know your body best. If something feels off, even if it’s not on this list, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. And if your concerns are being dismissed, consider seeking a second opinion. Check out our incredible tool, 10 Steps for Better Perimenopause Care. Your health and well-being are too important to ignore.
