Regular tracking of your menstrual cycle can provide far more information than just the expected arrival of your period. The length of your cycle, the intensity and duration of your period, and other accompanying symptoms can be important indicators of your health. Moreover, having an overview of your cycle is useful for women who want to increase their chances of conception, as well as for those who currently wish to avoid pregnancy. In this article, you will discover how to effectively start tracking your menstrual cycle and, most importantly, 3 main reasons why it can be beneficial.
Why track your cycle?
By regularly tracking your menstrual cycle and recording information, you will understand what is normal for you and your cycle, you will always know which part of your cycle you are in, and you will simply have a much better overview of yourself. You don't have to keep the information from the collected data to yourself; you can also provide it to your doctor, which can help you detect potential problems related to your menstrual cycle and reproduction in a timely manner.
By regularly tracking your cycle, you will find out when and if you ovulate at all, and what your fertility status is – which you can use to support pregnancy or, if you wish to avoid it naturally without hormones.
The ovulation period is also linked to female libido, which naturally rises and falls throughout the female cycle. It is therefore normal and natural to feel more desire on certain days of the month than on others. By tracking your cycle, you can better understand these patterns.
Unexplained feelings of irritability, sudden sadness, or feelings of loneliness that seem to appear out of nowhere. Hormonal changes during the cycle can significantly affect mood, but they can also influence many other aspects of a woman's body; sleep patterns, hunger and appetite, energy levels, or recovery after sports activity. Once you have an overview of your cycle and all these changes, you can better understand the symptoms you experience throughout your cycle. In short, you will understand why you feel the way you do on a given day.
What to track to start
Tracking your menstrual cycle doesn't have to be complicated; a notebook and pen will suffice, or you can try some freely available mobile apps. To start, prioritize a method that will be easily accessible and that you can regularly return to.
Subsequently, you can regularly focus on the following each cycle:
- cycle length, which is the time between the first day of menstrual bleeding and the last day before the start of the next menstruation
- how many days you bleed during menstruation
- intensity and color of blood flow
- accompanying symptoms throughout the cycle, such as pain, energy levels, mood, sleep patterns, or symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
If you want to fully commit to cycle tracking, in our webinar Symptothermal Method in Practice, we will teach you how to effectively monitor and record changes in basal body temperature and cervical mucus, and how to use all this to determine the most fertile period of your cycle or as a form of natural contraception.
Femvie products that can help you
We have selected products related to this topic that can support your health:
- 🌿 Organic pads — certified organic pads without chemicals
- 🌿 Organic tampons — organic tampons made from certified organic cotton
- 💊 Magnesium — helps relieve cramps and tension before menstruation
- 🩹 Menstrual patches — natural relief from painful menstruation
- 📦 Carefree subscription — your organic menstrual essentials automatically every month
Frequently asked questions
How long does a normal period last?
A healthy period lasts 3 to 7 days. If you bleed for a longer or shorter period repeatedly, consult a gynecologist.
Why is menstruation painful?
Menstrual cramps are caused by prostaglandins — substances that contract the uterine muscles. Magnesium, heat, exercise, or natural patches can help.
Are organic pads and tampons safer?
Yes. Organic cotton products do not contain pesticides, plastics, or bleaching chemicals commonly found in conventional menstrual products.
What affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle?
Stress, diet, exercise, sleep, and hormonal balance — all of these affect the length and regularity of your cycle. Cycle tracking will help you identify patterns and any deviations.
