How and Why Women Should Keep Track of their Menstrual Cycles
Most women experience menstruation right from their early adolescent years to when they are about 50 years old. Because of its routine nature, becoming complacent about tracking this important biological process is easy.
However, keeping track of your menstrual cycle is important for many reasons, most of them health-related. In addition, technological advancements have made keeping track of menstrual cycles, physical symptoms, moods, and even food cravings at times of the month easier than ever.
Tracking your cycle and pregnancy
Missing a period often is the very first sign of pregnancy for many women, which on its own is reason enough to track your monthly cycle if you are sexually active. Being aware of an unplanned pregnancy as soon as possible is important – in part because most forms of birth control do not provide 100% effectiveness. Practicing birth control by avoiding sex during the most fertile days relies heavily on accurate period tracking.
On the other hand, you can use menstrual tracking to find out when you are most fertile if you are trying to conceive, which can increase your chances of conception.
Tracking your cycle for health reasons
For many of the health issues that affect women, some bearing no apparent connection to reproductive organs, an alteration in the menstrual cycle often is the first notable symptom. Knowing when something is amiss is also a lot easier if you know your own body intimately.
When a regular menstrual cycle turns irregular, it could indicate irritable bowel syndrome, liver function problems, a thyroid issue, hormonal issues, diabetes, or several other health conditions. Additionally, women commonly experience menstrual changes or miss periods when they adopt new exercise routines, gain or lose significant amounts of weight, or go through a period of extreme stress.
Although you shouldn't be alarmed by a late, early, or missed period, you should consult your OB/GYN if other symptoms accompany the irregularity.
What to track
You should at least keep track of the very first day you get your period each month, which is generally enough to ensure you notice most irregularities. You can also get sophisticated when it comes to tracking your period since keeping up with every other detail not only helps you to monitor your health effectively but also to prepare yourself for other menstrual-related symptoms.
- The heaviness of your period by day
If your period starts with two days of heavy flow before tapering off to one or two days of spotting, you probably will need different strengths of tampons or pads throughout your cycle. You will have an easier time if you anticipate these requirements.
- Mood changes while menstruating
It might seem like your mood is subject to random fluctuations if you experience PMDD or PMS. You may discover that you are moody two days before your menstrual cycle begins each month if you start tracking your moods just before and during your period. You can cope with your feelings in a better way if you know more about what to expect from them.
- Appetite, levels of energy, and other changes
Menstrual cycles dictate many aspects of women’s lives, especially during parts of the month, even though many don’t realize it. You can learn about your eating habits by tracking how you feel as your menstrual cycle approaches. Such knowledge will help you to prepare healthy diet plans.
Keeping track of your energy level might show you when you always get a headache or feel exhausted. Keeping track of every aspect of your menstrual cycle ensures you won't get blindsided by how your body reacts to menstruation.
How to keep track
Monitoring your period and accompanying symptoms does not necessitate getting fancy. Noting it on a calendar is bound to serve the purpose well enough. However, there are online trackers, computer programs, and smart phone applications that will allow you to keep up with every single detail if you want a little more sophistication.
Know your cycle and body
Although your OB/GYN might always be there to help in case of warning signs, recognizing when the symptoms occur is up to you. Being proactive about your health and practicing proper period tracking is important.
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