Three advantages of tracking your menstrual cycle

For people who have periods, this monthly occurrence is a (sometimes inconvenient) part of life. Fortunately, on one hand, awareness of the symptoms and side effects that this hormonal change can have is on the rise, reducing stigma and helping individuals understand more about their own bodies. Unfortunately, on the other hand, there’s still a great deal of research to be done about the importance of menstrual cycles as a vital sign, with women often struggling to be taken seriously – or to recognize concerns themselves.

In recent years, there’s been a movement towards tracking menstruation via apps, with FemTech (female technology) companies making it easier than ever to log every symptom. Alternatively, if you’re concerned about privacy, then you can also turn to old-fashioned pen and paper. No matter the method, tracking your menstrual cycle can have multiple benefits – let’s explore some further.

Spot any differences sooner

When you’re caught up in the busyness of life, it’s easy to not notice that your period is slightly early, late, or you’ve missed one completely. You may also not remember if you experienced any specific symptoms at a certain time, or if the bleed was heavier or lighter than the month before.

Whilst you might just think monthly differences are all part of the ebb and flow of your body, it’s important to notice any significant changes. Your menstrual cycle likely won’t be the same every month – it’s affected by so many things, from stress to weight – but anything that really seems out of the ordinary is good to note and keep an eye on.

Help you understand yourself

You may be familiar with PMS (premenstrual syndrome), but do you know how your hormones affect you at other times of the month? There are four stages to the menstrual cycle: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and finally the luteal phase.

During your period, your estrogen and progesterone levels are low, causing a reduction in energy. Then, as you enter the follicular phase, you should feel more energized, happier, clear-minded and even more sociable. In the ovulatory phase, you may experience increased libido, but you’ll also appear more attractive to others. During the luteal phase, you’ll likely feel moodier and potentially more stressed.

Knowing which stage you’re at in your cycle can help you understand yourself better and be more compassionate to your changing feelings. You may even want to plan activities around it – scheduling more challenging exercise classes for when you’re in your follicular phase, and going slowly during your luteal phase, for example.

Have evidence if you need it

If you do notice any issues with your cycle, or just aren’t feeling well generally, your doctor may ask you about the date of your last period or if you’re experiencing specific symptoms such as heavy bleeding or migraines. Rather than having to guess or count backwards, regularly tracking this information will help you have it to hand right away, and avoid mistakes.

Tracking wider symptoms can also mean you have evidence when you’re trying to get help. In some cases, health professionals will want to see a pattern of symptoms over time, so having the evidence of this saves you from having to wait longer to get a referral for conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS.

Know what’s normal for you

Everyone is different, and therefore every menstrual cycle is different. Regular tracking can help you notice when something isn’t quite right, but also just ensures that you understand this vital part of your health.