Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Track Your Menstrual Cycle
• Method 2 of 3: Different Ways to Track Your Menstrual Cycle
• Method 3 of 3: Menstrual Problems
• Tips

Keeping track of your menstrual cycle can be especially important and beneficial for several reasons. First, you will be able to know the natural cycle of your body, and then the day of the beginning of your period will no longer be a surprise to you. You will be aware of the approximate timing of your relative fertility (that is, the days when there is a huge chance of getting pregnant). In addition, you will be aware of the emotional and physical changes that we face during menstruation.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Track Your Menstrual Cycle

1. 1 Mark the day your period starts. The first day of your cycle is the day you first notice spotting in this month.The menstrual cycle is calculated from the first day of your period this month to the first day of your period next month. The duration of the menstrual cycle depends on the individual characteristics of the female body, but in general it is about 21–35 days. Menstruation itself usually lasts 2 to 7 days.
   • Count the number of days between periods and the number of days you have spotting.
   • If your first period started no later than two years ago, it is likely that your period will be long. As you age, your menstrual cycle will become shorter and more regular. The length of your menstrual cycle can also change when you are close to menopause or premenopause.
   • The frequency and duration of your menstrual cycle can also be controlled with contraception (for example, hormonal birth control pills).
   • Ovulation usually occurs between the 11th and 21st days of the menstrual cycle. During this period of the menstrual cycle, a woman is most fertile, that is, during sexual intercourse, the likelihood of becoming pregnant is extremely high.
2. 2 Watch for physical symptoms. Note the profusion of discharge and any painful sensations you may experience. Try to mark as many details as possible. In addition to tracking the physical symptoms that accompany your period, remember to include the specific day you first noticed them. For example, notice if you have cramps and cramps a few days before your period starts?
   • How many pads / tampons do you usually use per day?
   • Is your period cramps and cramps? If so, where are they localized: in the lower abdomen or more in the lower back?
   • Do you have breast tenderness during your period?
   • How does your vaginal discharge change during menstruation and the cycle in general?
   • Do you have diarrhea (loose stools) during your period? This is a fairly common symptom.
3. 3 Pay attention to your mood and emotions. Many women experience mood swings when their hormones change. You may feel anxious and anxious, depressed, irritable. You may also experience frequent changes in mood and appetite, and the urge to cry.
   • Pay attention to any other possible sources of stress that could affect your mood. This will help you understand if you are feeling anxious about an upcoming major project at work / school, or if this is just a symptom of PMS.
   • If these symptoms occur around the same time every month, they are most likely related to your menstrual cycle.
4. 4 Try to record important information related to your period every month. Track your menstrual cycle over the course of several months to see which of your symptoms are perfectly normal for you. You should notice the same symptoms (eg, discomfort or cramping, mood swings) that accompany your period each month. Also, remember to note any changes in well-being and mood that you experience each month.
   • It is normal for the symptoms to differ from time to time. For example, this month your period can last about 5 days, and the next month it can last only 3 days.
   • Keep in mind that what is normal for you may be a deviation for someone else. Don't worry if your menstrual cycle is different from those of others you know. It is important to keep track of the consistency and consistency of your cycle.
   • Keep in mind that your period may be less heavy if you are on birth control pills, use a hormonal IUD or hormonal patch, or if you have hormonal contraceptive injections. This is completely normal.

Method 2 of 3: Different Ways to Track Your Menstrual Cycle

1. 1 Mark the days on the calendar. If you prefer to track your menstrual cycle in the old-fashioned way, just grab a calendar and mark the days of your period with a pencil, pen, marker or highlighter. You can take markers of different colors, mark the days with some symbols, or simply hang up stickers to mark the first and last days of your period, the length of your period, and any physical and emotional symptoms. Create a clear and simple tracking system that suits you.
   • If you do not want to overload the calendar with unnecessary information, you can keep a separate diary in which you will write down various symptoms and emotional changes during menstruation, and mark only the first and last day in the calendar.
   • If you don’t use your calendar in your daily life, place it in a prominent place so you don’t forget about it. For example, it is a good idea to hang your calendar in the bathroom or near the mirror.
   • If you value your personal space very much and do not want anyone else to know about your menstrual cycle, you can mark the day you start your period with a small, invisible symbol (like a cross, a circle, or just a color mark).
2. 2 Download a special application to your phone. You can track your menstrual cycle without a pen and paper: just find the right app for your phone. These apps help you keep all the information you need at your fingertips and alert you when your period is imminent. In addition to the calendar, these apps also have the ability to record various symptoms (including mood swings) that you experience during your period.
   • "Clue" is a free application (and one of the most popular and recommended) for iPhone and Android phone users. It has the ability to mark accompanying symptoms and days when you had sexual intercourse. You can also create reminders (for example, about taking birth control pills). After using this application for several months, the program uses special algorithms to automatically predict when you should expect your next period, as well as when you will start ovulating.
   • Flo Women's Period & Pregnancy Calendar is another popular free app that helps you track your menstrual cycle. It not only tracks your periods, but allows you to calculate the days of ovulation, as well as to note any changes in well-being, behavior and appearance that may accompany the menstrual cycle. For ease of use, the application has a function for building summary graphs and setting reminders.
3. 3 Use the online calendar. If a pencil with a pen or special applications don't work for you, you can use an electronic calendar to mark your period. There are special sites (for example: https://womenfirst.ru/servisy/jenskii-cikl/menstrual-cycle/ or an online calendar from Google), where it is possible to calculate the duration of the cycle, ovulation days, the most favorable days for conception, and there are other useful features. Many of these sites offer the ability to consult a doctor or find basic information about your menstrual cycle.
   • If you are having problems accessing the internet, chances are you shouldn't rely on such sites.
   • On the websites of many large hygiene products manufacturing organizations (for example, Tampax, Always) it is possible to track your menstrual cycle online.

Method 3 of 3: Menstrual Problems

1. 1 Adjust your calendar based on your observations. Learning more about your menstrual cycle will make your life easier, especially when you have to deal with certain symptoms. Knowing what days you expect to start your period, cramps and cramps, irritability or mood changes will help you plan your life so that your menstrual cycle will cause you the least discomfort.
   • For example, if you know that about three days before the start of your period your belly begins to "swell", then these days you should give up coffee, salty foods and alcohol, and also drink more water.
   • If you know that during a certain period of your menstrual cycle you become more irritable, focus on getting more rest, getting enough sleep, and doing various relaxation techniques on those days to prevent irritability from getting the better of you.
2. 2 Watch for irregular menstrual periods. About 14% of women experience an irregular menstrual cycle. If the menstrual cycle begins earlier or later than it should, if you have excessive (or, conversely, very insignificant) discharge, if you experience severe pain from time to time, most likely the reason for this is the irregularity of the menstrual cycle. This phenomenon is easy enough to track if you keep a menstrual calendar.
   • Menstrual periods can be irregular for several reasons, such as birth control, polycystic ovary syndrome, stress, thyroid disease, eating disorders, decompensated diabetes, fibroids, or endometriosis.
   • There are many ways to treat menstrual irregularities.
3. 3 It is important to know when to see a doctor. Keep in mind that some minor disruptions in your menstrual cycle are common. If you notice any suspicious changes, as well as if you have questions, you should consult with your gynecologist. Do not forget to take with you all the information that you have collected while observing your condition throughout your entire menstrual cycle. This information will help your doctor figure out what is causing your cycle irregularity. You should see your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
   • The bleeding lasts longer than seven days.
   • Bleeding occurs suddenly in the middle of the menstrual cycle (between periods of normal menstruation).
   • The duration of the menstrual cycle is less than 21 days or more than 35 days.
   • The menstrual cycle has always been approximately regular, but then, for some reason, it became irregular.
   • You have to change more than one tampon or pads every 1 to 2 hours.
   • Menses become too heavy or painful.

Tips

• If you are tracking the length of your menstrual cycle, it is best to mark the beginning and end of this cycle with different marks. Or, you can just draw an arrow in the direction from the first day of the cycle to the last, so as not to confuse the days.
• Plus, keeping track of your menstrual cycle can be beneficial for your relationship. Your partner will know which days you are most sensitive or irritable, and will keep in mind which days you are most fertile. You will be able to tell your partner what is bothering you, as well as that due to changes in hormonal background, you are more susceptible to what is happening.