Why and how you should monitor your menstrual cycle

Do you know when your menstrual period started or ended? Do you understand how to calculate your days of ovulation? If all of these seem complicated to you, then pay attention and read this article thoroughly.

Monitoring your menstrual cycle is vital for your health and overall well-being. It is important to know when you have a missed period or your menstrual bleeding isn’t as normal as it should be. Also, irregularities in your menstrual cycle could affect your plans for conception and indicate that something isn’t going well with your reproductive system. That being said, here is all you need to know about your menstrual cycle and how to monitor it.

WHAT IS THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

The menstrual cycle is a monthly series of changes that occur when your body prepares for pregnancy, which may or may not happen. This cycle begins on the first day of your period, that is day 1, and ends just before your next menstrual period. The hormones progesterone and estrogen usually fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle and cause your menstrual symptoms.

HOW LONG IS A MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

The menstrual cycle is usually 28 days long but can differ for women. Your period is regular if it comes every 24 to 38 days. What this means is that from the first day of your period to the exact day when your next period starts, it will take at least 24 days but not more than 38 days. Still confused? Here’s more explanation:

Assuming your period starts on August 10, 2023, this signifies that the 10th is the first day of your menstrual cycle. Then, if your next period starts on September 4, 2023, this implies that your cycle is 25 days long (use a calendar to check yours).

HOW CAN YOU MONITOR YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

The following is a guide to help you monitor your menstrual cycle:

• First of all, you can do this manually or with an App and note down some information, such as the date of your previous periods, and notice how long your period lasts.
• Next, you check the length of your menstrual cycle (that is, how many days it is) using the method previously mentioned.
• You can then estimate when your next period will likely come. To do this, you start on the first day of your most recent period (this is day 1) and count the number of days your menstrual cycle lasts. The day after the last day of your cycle is when your next period will likely begin.
• Be sure to write down your symptoms, how heavy your bleeding is, or any regular patterns you notice so you can detect any changes.
• Also, note your ovulation days. This is typically days 10–15 of your menstrual cycle. You are most fertile between two and five days before you ovulate and the day you ovulate. This is important if you’re trying to conceive. 

HOW DOES THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AFFECT YOUR HEALTH?

Your menstrual cycle affects your overall health because menstrual irregularities can imply a health condition you might not know. These possible conditions include:

• Anemia: If your period gets lighter and lighter or you notice a whitish, diluted flow, it could be a sign of anemia.
• Cancer or STD: Spotting between periods can be indicative of cervical or ovarian cancer or a sexually transmitted disease.
• Diabetes: Women with irregular periods, beyond 40 days, are at high risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): If you notice that you have prolonged or heavy flow longer than one week, it could be a sign of PCOS.
• Fibroids: Heavy and prolonged menstrual periods accompanied by large blood clots and intense pain can indicate uterine fibroids or serious hormonal issues.

Monitoring the menstrual cycle is not only a “woman thing”. Knowing how the menstrual cycle works as an individual will give you a better understanding of female body mechanics (and not stereotype women as being moody without a reason). The female reproductive system is a complicated network that is not too difficult to decipher if you make an effort.

This will also help you understand why managing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and hormonal imbalance with NATURE’S FIELD VITEX CHASTE BERRY is a recommended necessity.

Menstrual irregularities are one of the most common causes of infertility. Hence, being aware of them is always a better option for controlling and treating them. If you’re looking for a way to balance your hormones, control PMS symptoms and stress levels, or just give your skin an extra bit of TLC due to its antioxidant protection, NATURE’S FIELD VITEX CHASTE BERRY is the answer!