How can you effectively track your menstrual cycle without relying on digital apps. What are the benefits of manual period tracking. Why is understanding your menstrual patterns crucial for overall health and well-being.

Understanding the Menstrual Cycle: A Biological Overview

The menstrual cycle is a complex biological process that plays a crucial role in reproductive health. It involves a series of hormonal changes that prepare the body for potential pregnancy each month. But what exactly happens during this cycle?

Menstruation, commonly referred to as a period, occurs when the uterus sheds its lining, resulting in blood and tissue being expelled through the vagina. This process typically happens monthly and marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the body initiates this shedding process, signaling the start of a new cycle.

The length of a menstrual cycle can vary from person to person, but it generally ranges between 26 to 32 days. It’s important to note that cycle length can fluctuate due to various factors, including stress, lifestyle changes, and health conditions.

Key Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

1. Menstrual Phase: The shedding of the uterine lining
2. Follicular Phase: The ovary prepares to release an egg
3. Ovulation: The release of a mature egg from the ovary
4. Luteal Phase: The body prepares for potential pregnancy

Understanding these phases can help you better interpret your body’s signals and track your cycle more effectively.

The Importance of Menstrual Cycle Tracking in Women’s Health

Tracking your menstrual cycle goes beyond simply marking calendar dates. It’s a powerful tool for understanding your body and overall health. But why is it so crucial?

Menstrual cycle tracking provides valuable insights into your reproductive health, helping you identify patterns and potential irregularities. By monitoring your cycle, you can:

• Predict future periods with greater accuracy
• Identify symptoms related to different phases of your cycle
• Plan activities and events around your menstrual cycle
• Detect potential health issues early
• Improve communication with healthcare providers

Regular tracking can also help you understand how your menstrual cycle affects various aspects of your life, from mood and energy levels to physical symptoms like cramps or bloating.

Health Benefits of Menstrual Cycle Awareness

Being in tune with your menstrual cycle can have numerous health benefits. It allows you to recognize what’s normal for your body and detect any significant changes that might require medical attention. For instance, irregular periods or unusual symptoms could indicate underlying health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders.

Moreover, understanding your cycle can aid in family planning, whether you’re trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy. It helps identify your fertile window, which is crucial for natural family planning methods.

Traditional Methods for Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle

In the digital age, many have become reliant on smartphone apps for period tracking. However, traditional methods offer a reliable and private alternative. How can you effectively track your cycle without technology?

One of the simplest and most effective methods is using a paper calendar or a notebook. This old-school approach allows for a tangible, private record of your menstrual patterns. Here’s how to get started:

1. Choose a calendar or notebook that’s easy to use and access
2. Mark the first day of your period each month
3. Note the duration of your period
4. Record any symptoms or changes you experience throughout your cycle
5. Calculate the length of your cycle from the first day of one period to the first day of the next

This method not only helps you predict future periods but also allows you to observe patterns in your cycle length, symptoms, and overall menstrual health.

Creative Approaches to Manual Cycle Tracking

Who says menstrual tracking can’t be creative? Many individuals find joy in turning their cycle tracking into an artistic endeavor. You might consider:

• Using different colors to represent various phases of your cycle
• Adding stickers or symbols to mark specific symptoms or events
• Creating a bullet journal dedicated to your menstrual health
• Drawing mandalas or other patterns to represent each cycle

These creative approaches not only make tracking more enjoyable but can also help you visualize patterns in your cycle more easily.

Identifying and Interpreting Menstrual Cycle Patterns

Once you’ve started tracking your menstrual cycle, the next step is learning to interpret the data you’re collecting. What should you be looking for in your cycle tracking?

The first thing to note is the length of your cycle. While the average cycle is often cited as 28 days, it’s normal for cycles to range from 26 to 32 days. Your personal “normal” might fall anywhere within this range or even slightly outside it.

Next, pay attention to the duration of your period. Most periods last between 3 to 7 days, but again, what’s normal for you might be different. Tracking this information can help you spot any significant changes that might warrant medical attention.

Key Patterns to Monitor

• Cycle length consistency
• Period duration
• Flow heaviness
• Presence and timing of ovulation symptoms
• Recurring premenstrual symptoms

Remember, some variation from cycle to cycle is normal. However, significant or sudden changes might indicate hormonal shifts or underlying health issues.

Recognizing Menstrual Cycle Irregularities and When to Seek Medical Advice

While every person’s menstrual cycle is unique, there are certain irregularities that may warrant medical attention. But how can you differentiate between normal variations and potential health concerns?

Menstrual cycle irregularities can manifest in various ways. Some common signs include:

• Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
• Periods lasting more than 7 days
• Extremely heavy flow (soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours)
• Severe pain that interferes with daily activities
• Spotting between periods
• Absence of periods for 3 months or more (if not pregnant or menopausal)

If you notice any of these irregularities persisting over several cycles, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider. They can help determine if these changes are due to normal hormonal fluctuations or if they indicate an underlying health condition.

Potential Causes of Menstrual Irregularities

Various factors can contribute to menstrual cycle irregularities, including:

1. Hormonal imbalances
2. Stress
3. Significant weight changes
4. Certain medications
5. Thyroid disorders
6. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
7. Uterine fibroids or polyps

Remember, early detection and treatment of any underlying issues can help maintain your reproductive health and overall well-being.

Leveraging Menstrual Cycle Tracking for Family Planning

Menstrual cycle tracking isn’t just about understanding your body; it can also be a powerful tool for family planning. Whether you’re trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy, how can cycle tracking assist you?

For those trying to conceive, tracking your menstrual cycle can help identify your fertile window. This is typically the six-day period ending on the day of ovulation. By pinpointing this window, couples can time intercourse to increase their chances of conception.

Conversely, for those using natural family planning methods to prevent pregnancy, understanding your cycle is crucial. It allows you to identify the days when you’re most fertile and take appropriate precautions.

Identifying Ovulation Through Cycle Tracking

Ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of your next period. However, this can vary from person to person. Some signs of ovulation include:

• A slight increase in basal body temperature
• Changes in cervical mucus (becoming clear and stretchy, like egg whites)
• Mild abdominal pain or cramping
• Increased sex drive
• Breast tenderness

By tracking these symptoms along with your cycle, you can more accurately predict your ovulation and fertile window.

Integrating Menstrual Cycle Awareness into Overall Health and Wellness

Your menstrual cycle is more than just a reproductive function; it’s an integral part of your overall health and wellness. But how can you use cycle tracking to enhance your general well-being?

Understanding your menstrual cycle can help you optimize various aspects of your life. Many people find that their energy levels, mood, and even cognitive functions fluctuate throughout their cycle. By tracking these changes, you can better plan your activities and self-care routines.

Cycle Syncing: Aligning Your Life with Your Menstrual Phases

Cycle syncing involves adjusting your diet, exercise routine, and daily activities to align with the different phases of your menstrual cycle. Here’s a brief overview:

• Menstrual Phase: Focus on rest and self-care
• Follicular Phase: Embrace new projects and high-energy activities
• Ovulatory Phase: Engage in social activities and challenging tasks
• Luteal Phase: Prioritize organization and completion of tasks

By aligning your lifestyle with your cycle, you may find improvements in your energy levels, productivity, and overall well-being.

Nutrition and Exercise Throughout Your Cycle

Your nutritional needs and exercise capacity can also vary throughout your cycle. For instance:

• During menstruation, you might benefit from iron-rich foods to replenish lost nutrients
• In the follicular phase, your body may respond well to high-intensity workouts
• During the luteal phase, you might crave comfort foods and benefit from gentler exercises

By tracking your cycle and noting these patterns, you can tailor your diet and exercise routine to support your body’s changing needs.

In conclusion, mastering the art of menstrual cycle tracking without apps is not only possible but can be a rewarding journey towards better understanding your body. From predicting your next period to optimizing your health and wellness routines, the benefits of manual tracking are numerous. Remember, every body is unique, and what’s normal for you might be different from others. By consistently tracking and observing your patterns, you’re taking a proactive step towards better reproductive health and overall well-being.

How To Track Your Menstrual Cycle Without An App

By
Anna Spitz, Digital Marketing Manager
|
July 21, 2022, 11:01 p.m.

Category:

Ask the Experts,
Birth Control,
Body,
cramps,
Emergency Contraception,
menstruation,
Period,
Pregnancy,
Puberty

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade ending the federal right to an abortion, there has been increased worry about how period tracking app data could potentially be used against people seeking abortion care.

This has led many people to realize that they don’t know how to track their own cycle using an old school paper calendar, or without the use of technology. Not to worry— Planned Parenthood is here to help.

What Is a Menstrual Cycle?

As experts in all things reproductive health care, we know a lot about menstruation. Menstruation, also known as having a period, is when blood and tissue from the uterus comes out of the vagina. It usually happens about once a month as a part of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is the body’s way of preparing for pregnancy every month. If someone’s not pregnant they have a period, if someone is pregnant, they do not have a period until they are no longer pregnant.

Benefits of Menstrual Cycle Tracking

Keeping record of the length and timing of your period, qualities of your menstrual fluid (color, texture, amount), and symptoms like cramping or fatigue can help you learn what is normal for your body. Finding out what a “typical” period is like for you can make it easier to spot trends that help you prepare for your next one. This information can also help you estimate when your next period will come. This can be helpful when deciding the days for your next big vacation or even when planning for certain health care appointments like an IUD insertion, etc.

Knowing what is normal for your body when it comes to menstruating can also come in handy when meeting with a health care provider. Because periods are important health indicators, it’s pretty common for clinicians to ask about the first day of your last menstrual period during a visit. This information is a lot easier to provide when you track your cycle.

Cycle tracking can also help you identify significant changes to your cycle or symptoms that might be worth mentioning to a doctor like unusual bleeding between periods, feeling dizzy while on your period, severe pain that keeps you from engaging in regular day-to-day activities, and heavy flow that means you need to change you tampon or pad hourly. Tracking the menstrual cycle may help to identify patterns that clinicians might be able to help with by prescribing a hormonal birth control method that could make your period lighter or more regular.

How to Track Your Cycle

Now that we know the benefits of keeping a record of your menstrual cycle, let’s get into how to actually do the tracking.

• First, you’ll need to gather a little information. If you’ve been using an app to track periods, take note of the days of your previous periods.
• Next mark these days on either a paper calendar or a notebook adding a note or key to indicate the days of your period – feel free to get creative with it by using colorful markers and stickers. The options are endless.
• Once you’ve made note of your past periods and added them to a calendar, you’re ready to look at what a “typical” period looks like for you.
  • First, you’ll look at how many days your period usually lasts. Period length can vary from person to person and can last anywhere from 2-7 days, but most people have a pattern for how long it usually lasts for them (ex: 3-4 days or 5-6 days). Based on past period lengths, take note of how long your periods last and write down this information.
  • Next, you’ll look at how long your menstrual cycle typically is. To do this you count the days from the first day of a period to the day before the next period. Typically, cycles are between 26 and 32 days long and vary from person to person. Based on the length of your past menstrual cycles, take note of how long your menstrual cycles usually are and write this information down next to your period length.
  • Keep in mind that the length of periods and amount of days between cycles can not only vary from person to person, but even from one menstrual cycle to the next (especially if someone experienced physical/emotional stress or a change in routine). Whether you use an app or a paper calendar, predicting future periods is taking a best estimate, so it’s not always a perfect prediction for when a period will come.
• Now that you know how long your periods and cycle are, you can start to estimate when your next period will likely come. To do this you begin at the first day of your most recent period (this is day one) and count out the number of days your menstrual cycle typically lasts. On the day following the end of your cycle is when they next period is predicted to begin. You can add a note on this day as a reminder. For example, if your period typically lasts five days, and your cycle is normally 28 days long, this is how your calendar would look:

• Be sure to write down how you’re feeling, how heavy your bleeding is, any emotional changes, or other patterns you notice during each day of your period. You can also keep a record of patterns you notice while you’re not on your period, for example, any discharge changes that you notice, days that you had sex, or even took emergency contraception. 

Your Local Planned Parenthood is Here for You

If you have any questions about your cycle, birth control options to help regulate your periods, or any other questions about menstruating, visit your local Planned Parenthood. Our expert providers are available to answer any and all questions about reproductive health. To make an appointment, call (714) 922-4100.

Tags:

‎Period Tracker Period Calendar on the App Store

Description

** Top Rating Reproductive Health App **

Check out the most widely-used period, ovulation & pregnancy tracker, which has been helping to improve the well-being of over 300,000,000 women across 45+ countries in the past decade.

We understand your concerns about your private data security, especially with the recent news.
Here’s how we protect your data:
• You can use our app without creating an account.
• You remain COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS while using our app.
• You can DELETE ALL DATA in 1 click whenever you want.

At every stage of your life, we safeguard your well-being.

PERIOD & CYCLE CALENDAR
We’ll remind you of the dates when your next period starts and ends on time. It’s useful whether you have irregular or regular menses. Better? You’ll receive tailored PMS advice and instant menstrual pain relief guidance.

OVULATION & FERTILITY TRACKER
We help you calculate your most fertile days and analyze your fertility window based on your unique cycle. You can get pregnant naturally ASAP by learning your CHANCE OF CONCEPTION every day.

PREGNANCY MODE: WEEK-BY-WEEK
Follow your baby’s weekly growth. Use our due date calculator to find out when your baby’s BIG DAY will be and count down it.

BIRTH CONTROL PLANNER
Quickly record and stay on track with your contraceptive methods like pills, rings, patches, injections, IUDs, or implants. You can customize the reminder message for individual services.

PILL REMINDER
Set start date, interval, durations, and dose quantity for any medication, drugs, or supplements. So you won’t forget to take pills when life gets busy.

SYMPTOM PREDICTIONS & TIPS
Record your symptoms during any life stage. Get predictions and courses to learn how to deal with them. Take breast self-exam monthly to find abnormalities early.

>>Key Features:
– Accurate prediction & reminders of menstruation & the most fertile days
– Track the cycle lengths, flow intensity, when you are ovulating, birth control methods, etc.
– Log 58 symptoms, 67 moods, and energy levels to know your menstrual pattern
– Track daily chance of getting pregnant with BBT, cervical mucus, ovulation & pregnancy test records
– Baby’s due date countdown
– Baby’s weekly growth tracker
– Export a health report with charts for self-archive or doctors
– Insights from fertility specialists
– PIN code, Face ID, & Fingerprint lock to protect your private data
– Daily health tracker: weight, hydration, sleep, mood, sex, steps, etc.
– Breast self-exam guidance
– Multiple accounts to track for different, for example, mother/daughter
– Unlimited app themes & pets
– Available in 39 languages
– Sync data with Apple Health
– Backup and restore data between devices

Note: Period Calendar should not be used to replace any form of contraceptive method.

Subscription Terms and Details
– Get unlimited access to all features for USD $49.99/year:
• Cycle predictions for each month
• Fertility analysis of each day
• Unlock all self-care content
• Kegel exercise for women
• Unlimited app themes and pets
• Remove ads forever
– The payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase.
– The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.
– Subscription may be managed, and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to Account Settings after purchase.
– The account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period.
– Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication.

If you have any questions or concerns while using our app, please feel free to contact us via feedback in our app ( [Settings] -> [Bug Report&Feedback]) or write to us at abishkking.apple@gmail.

Privacy Policy: https://abishkking.com/privacypolicy.html?pkg=com.abishkking.periodcalendar
Terms of Use: http://pay.period-calendar.com/app/pc.html

Jul 3, 2023

Version 2.54.0

• Optimize UI and user experience

Ratings and Reviews

127.4K Ratings

I LOVE THIS APP!!! 😍🙌🏽💯💓

I never used to track my period and then one of my clients told me about this app. I immediately started using it and it’s way more than just a period tracker it helps you with your water intake, exercise, it helps you keep track of everything about your body as a woman and it even gives insight and tips to symptoms you may be having everyday, your able to track your weight, perform breast exam, it even has a way for you to connect with other women all over the world, pregnant moms or just get answers to questions you might be having. This app is a dream come true! I’m so glad I found out about it and I would recommend Everywoman even young girls to have this app it can help so much with you staying in tune with your cycle, how body works and what you’re experiencing and feeling each and every day and when you go to the doctor and they ask you 1 million questions you actually have the answer to them LOL! My husband and I recently started practicing making a baby and we conceived after the first try!! Our daughter is 11!! can you believe that if I didn’t have this app I wouldn’t know what is going on but because of this app I know everything about my cycle when we most likely conceived and my due date for our baby already! this app is a dream come true if you’re reading this review download it now you won’t regret it thank you to the maker of this app you are a genius!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hi, thanks for enjoying our app! We will keep on working hard to develop more useful functions, hoping to bring you a better experience.

Any other questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Thanks again for your support, have a nice day.

App review

First of all this app is free!
Second of all, this app has more useful features than just tracking your period, it has a mood tracker, a place where you can write a dairy, sex life and etc… not only that but it can also help you have a healthier lifestyle too. It’ll ask you questions about your height, weight, waist measurement and so forth to help get you a better idea of your body fat percentage and to let you know if your healthy. The app has many videos on how to take care of your body and what to do if your on your period like if you have acne during your period for example. It’ll help you know what you should do, there’s even excerises you can do, helps track the amount of water you drink, amount of sleep and so forth. This app lets you know where you should be at to have a healthier life, like how many hours you should sleep each day, how much water you should drink, the average amount of minutes you need to workout a day and so forth. This app has many perks and features to help track your period and lifestyle and it’s all for free so there’s no need to pay extra money on other apps for this kind of info. Oh! And remember the more info you put on the app about your period, your moods and so forth helps the app figure out how to assist you. ☺️

Hi, really appreciate your positive comment. We are so glad that you like our app’s functions. ❤️

We have been working hard to improve our app and give you a better experience. If you have any suggestions or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We will take it seriously and also help you solve problems ASAP. Again, thank you for your feedback, and have a nice day. 🌹

My only suggestion so far…

Only thing I’ve found I would want changed (after a few weeks of non period tracking use and the start of first one tracked) is being able to select multiple levels of flow. Like on days when it starts light and then gets heavier, being able to select both/or all 4 and then select like morning, midday, afternoon, night or something along that line would be nice. So that way it’s logged, at the moment I just write it in notes, I just think that would add to the tracker and Helping me/others realize if I’m just spotting heavily or starting my period off very lightly.

Otherwise I love this app and the fact you get so much without having to pay is amazing and I looked through a few apps cause as someone who doesn’t have much extra money right now it helps to be able to keep track of something that I can’t avoid and I know you could do it on paper but I mean with it being on your phone it’s so much more accessible and with you 24/7, if your like me, which means you can’t forget it.

Hi, thanks for using our app! We will take your suggestion seriously and try to make some improvements in this aspect, hoping to bring you a better product experience.

If you have any other problems or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We’ll be always at your service!

Subscriptions

Period & Pregnancy Tracker

Self-care guide for your cycle & fertility

Free Trial

The developer, ABISHKKING LIMITED., indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

• Identifiers

• Usage Data

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Health & Fitness

• Contact Info

• Identifiers

• Usage Data

• Sensitive Info

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• User Content

• Usage Data

• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

Seller

ABISHKKING LIMITED.

Size

359.5 MB

Category

Health & Fitness

Age Rating

12+
Infrequent/Mild Medical/Treatment Information
Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity

Copyright

©️ 2021 ABISHKKING LIMITED.

Price

Free

• Developer Website

• App Support

• Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

You Might Also Like

Why is it important to track your periods.

Women’s Health Education Portal Women First

Why is it important to track your period? Applications and life hacks,
to help you take care of your health

The menstrual cycle, or rather its regularity, is one of the
indicators of women’s health. Correct count of cycle days
allows you to prepare for conception, as well as to detect in time
possible disorders in the reproductive system. To get it right
interpret the results, it is important for a woman to keep track of her
period. How to do this, we will try to tell in this
article.

The normal menstrual cycle is a complex change in
reproductive system of a woman that occur with regular
periodicity. Menstruation is characterized by discharge from
uterine cavity of blood clots, parts of the endometrium and other
components. In addition to the possibility of conception, the menstrual cycle
also performs a cleansing function for the body.

In the normal state, the cycle lasts from 21 to 34 days, and
the duration of bleeding should be from 3 to 7 days.
Childbearing age depends on each woman individually, and
menopause occurs at about 50-55 years.

Many problems in the reproductive system can signal a woman
in the form of cycle disorders, uneven menstruation and other failures.
In order to notice them in time, you should pay attention to
certain indicators. For example, too long or
short menstruation may indicate internal inflammatory
processes that require medical attention.

These indicators include the irregularity of menstruation in
result:

• infectious diseases
• chronic stress factors or disturbances in the work of the nervous
  systems
• hormonal disorders of the endocrine glands
• taking heavy medications, such as antibiotics
• the influence of bad habits, namely alcohol and tobacco
• onset of early menopause.

In addition, a visit to the gynecologist is definitely worth it if you
noticed a few manifestations from this list:

1. Absence of discharge for more than six months. The exception is
   pregnancy, menopause and childhood, in other cases
   considered a pathology
2. Rare discharge, that is, the cycle lasts more than 35 days
3. Frequent spotting, i.e. a cycle of less than 20 days
4. Too short or long periods, less than 3 or more than 7
   days
5. A meager blood volume should also alert – less than 25 ml
6. Abundant bleeding – more than 130 ml
7. Menses out of cycle
8. Discharge during pregnancy
9. Too painful critical days
10. The color of menstruation is grayish or whitish

What is a menstrual calendar for?

Calculating the next date of menstruation is not only useful, but also
convenient from a scheduling point of view. Knowing the exact date
you can schedule training sessions, meetings and any other
Events.

You can write down critical dates on a paper calendar, but
it is more convenient to do it with the help of applications. Today there are
various programs for conducting a cycle. The simplest offer
just enter the date and last monthly and average
cycle duration. The program will calculate everything itself, will make
forecast and write how many days are left until the start of the next
cycle.

Advanced versions make up a calendar for the whole year, with
indicating the desired dates of conception, graphs with changes in weight
and temperature. In addition, there are also the smallest settings in the form
indicating phases of mood, reminders to take COCs, etc. We
prepared some of the most convenient and simple free
applications that will help you create a calendar of critical
days.

Free calendar software

Life application. Work organized as
tracker, with the ability to mark the days of menstruation and
automatic calculation of ovulation. Allows you to mark the level
mood, indicate the days of sexual intercourse and active training according to
days. It can be noted a simple and convenient interface without complex
menu items and settings. Icons allow you to quickly navigate
and find the necessary data for both the partner and the woman herself.

Clue application. A simple application with a pleasant
interface in the form of clouds before menstruation. Ovulation period
allows you to follow the cycle. It is possible to connect
partner to the menstrual cycle schedule in order to follow
after the critical days. As a nice bonus
useful articles about women’s health and
recommendations. It is also possible to set a reminder for
ovulation and the imminent approach of menstruation.

Chatbot Telegram Solomia. Interesting channel,
which is a guide and calendar that leads
well-known sexologist-psychologist. With it, you can learn about
processes that occur in the female body during
critical days, get useful advice. Advice is given
how to prepare for the onset of menstruation, what kind of food
organize and what should be the rest. You can choose from
several topics for discussion, such as physiology, nutrition,
sex and sports.

P-Tracker application. Shareware
program, which is presented in two subscription options:
free with ads and paid without ads. Program
offers to track the menstrual cycle and do the necessary
calendar notes. The premium version additionally has
the ability to adjust daily activity, sleep, mood and
nutrition.

Menstruation and the menstrual cycle: what’s the difference?

Expert comment
Gynecologist Anastasia Degteva

“More than half of the inhabitants of the planet Earth have menstruation. If you have questions, you can ask any adult you trust. You can also talk to a gynecologist or pediatrician, and you can also watch an educational course on menstruation from Kotex.”

The menstrual cycle is a series of regularly repeating biological processes, which is one of the main differences between a woman and a man. The biological meaning of the menstrual cycle is to prepare the female orgasm for potential conception and pregnancy.

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is bleeding that usually occurs on a monthly basis in sexually mature women if they have not been pregnant.

During menstruation, the mucous membrane of the uterus, the endometrium, is shed, which is accompanied by bleeding.

Menstruation usually lasts 3 to 5 days. On average, the first menstruation, menarche, begins at 11-14 years of age. Approximately half of girls 12 years old are already on their period, however, doctors recognize the normal age of the onset of menstruation from 9up to 16 years old. From this point on, the female body is capable of fertilization and pregnancy. Around the age of 40-55, menstruation stops and menopause occurs.

What is the menstrual cycle?

If menstruation or periods come regularly, then they are called the menstrual cycle. However, the length of the menstrual cycle may vary slightly from month to month, this is also normal. A longer menstrual cycle is typical for adolescents, with age there is a tendency for a decrease in the duration of the cycle and a clearer regularity. Typically, the menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days.

The female body controls the menstrual cycle through a complex hormonal balance. The human body’s response to stress involves changes in hormone levels, which affect many bodily processes, and thus can affect the menstrual cycle.

Important: A regular menstrual cycle is a sign that the important organs of your body are functioning normally. That is why it is extremely important to monitor your cycle, not only when you are afraid or trying to get pregnant: any deviations from the usual in the cycle can be signs of some unusual processes in the body or diseases that are always better to exclude immediately, because if the concern turns out to be justified, treatment is always better to start as soon as possible!

What should be the menstrual cycle and how to calculate its length?

Unfortunately, a huge number of women, even today, do not have the opportunity to receive reliable scientific information about reproductive health, including menstruation. This topic is still taboo and indecent. However, knowing about your body structure and its processes is very important to maintain your health, this also applies to menstruation. To monitor your own health, you need to track the duration of your own cycle, and for this, mark the days of the beginning and the duration of menstruation in a calendar or a special application on your phone, which will allow you to draw conclusions about the regularity of menstruation in a couple of months.

Let’s see how to mark the menstrual cycle.

The first day of menstruation is considered the first day of the menstrual cycle.

The end of the menstrual cycle is celebrated on the first day of the next, that is, on the first day of the next menstrual bleeding.

The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but the norms are variable: 21-35 days in adults and 21-45 days in adolescents 12-15 years old.

On average, menstruation in women lasts 3-5 days, but the norm applies to any number of days from 2 to 7. On average, the volume of menstrual bleeding is about 40-100 ml (this is about 8 used ordinary hygienic
pads or tampons), and the composition of menstrual blood, in addition to blood itself, includes mucous secretions of the cervix, vaginal glands and endometrial tissue.

Why is menstrual flow different from normal blood?

Menstrual flow is different from the blood that flows through our vessels: it does not clot, and it is darker: this is due to the fact that it contains enzymes that prevent its clotting – anticoagulants.

By the way, those clots that sometimes occur in women are caused precisely by the fact that the blood does not clot, but this is not at all a sign of some pathological processes in the body, it often happens on the days of the most profuse bleeding, and is often associated with stress, such as malnutrition.

Don’t be afraid to ask!

Unfortunately, the topic of menstruation in society is still considered taboo and shameful by many, and menstruation is often presented as something that needs to be hidden from everyone. However, even if you are embarrassed to ask a doctor something, then remember: women have periods for most of their lives, this is a normal biological process and in fact there is nothing shameful or dirty about them, so if you have something worries or you want to know if this is the case for others, then ask.

If someone shames you because you have your period, remember that this person is deeply wrong and he should be ashamed, not you.

Why are some people embarrassed to talk about menstruation?

The taboo of the topic of menstruation is also connected with the fact that for a long time menstruation was used by society in order to justify social inequality in the position of men and women, because a woman during menstruation was considered “dirty” in many cultures. This is due to the fact that in ancient times people did not understand what caused menstruation and for them this phenomenon was mysterious and incomprehensible.

Even in the twenty-first century, when the biological essence of menstruation has long been clear, many religions consider women during menstruation “unclean”: in Orthodoxy, for example, women are forbidden to participate in sacred sacraments, for example, take communion during menstruation, touch icons and prosphora, and even drink “holy” water, and in some parishes even go to church.