How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle Length

For some women, menstruation happens a lot like clockwork. For others, knowing when to expect “that time of the month” can be luck of the draw. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can track your menstrual cycle, eliminate the guess-work and cut down on those unexpected surprises.

Why should I track my cycle?

There are many benefits to tracking your menstrual cycle. Knowing when you ovulate, for example, can help you when you are trying to conceive. If you’re trying to conceive, or you’re trying to prevent falling pregnant, you’ll probably want to keep track of when you are or aren’t ovulating.

Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from an ovary, as well as when you are most fertile. You are the least fertile outside of the ovulation phase of your menstrual cycle. On average, ovulation starts about 14 days before the end of your cycle.

Another advantage of tracking your menstrual cycle is to help you keep an eye on your health. As soon as you get a feel for your cycle, you can use any unusual changes as potential signals that something else could be going on with your health.

Tracking your cycle allows you to plan ahead for special events as much as possible. Knowing more or less when to expect your period can help you better prepare for it, like stocking up on sanitary items or comfort food beforehand.

How long is an average menstrual cycle length?

A cycle that is between 21 to 45 days long is considered usual, with around 28 days being the average or most common.Periods usually last between 2 days to a week long, averaging out at around 3 to 5 days.

You can tell when your period starts by noting the first sign of bleeding and counting the days up until then last.

Is the menstrual cycle the same as my period?

The first step to calculating your menstrual cycle correctly is to fully understand it. The menstrual cycle consists of four phases, some of which overlap at certain times of the cycle. These phases are called then menstruation phase, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase.

Your period falls into the menstruation and follicular phases, which means that your period is different to a menstrual cycle that is otherwise a complete cycle of all four phases. Your menstrual cycle begins from the day your period starts to the day before your next period.

How does tracking my menstrual cycle work?

Menstrual cycle calendars or calculators can help you determine when your next period is due. Generally, these systems are based on the average woman’s cycle of 28 days, however, they can often be adjusted.

To use a menstrual calendar or calculator, all you have to do is enter the start date of your last period and the number of days in your cycle. Once you’ve filled in these details, the calendar or calculator will let you know your ovulation days.

Once you know how calculating your cycle works, you can choose to track it using a physical calendar at home, a menstrual tracking app or simply find an online menstrual tracking calculator.

Will my menstrual cycle length always be the same?

As mentioned previously, some women are fortunate enough to experience unwavering, consistent cycles. However, we are all unique. This means that for many of us, our cycles will naturally often be unique, too. Beyond this, there are a few other reasons why you might find yourself experiencing a fluctuating cycle.

Sometimes, your cycle can change because of stress, underlying health issues, hormonal changes or even because we are entering into another era of your life. For example, extreme stress or even lifestyle changes can cause your period to be delayed, or even stop entirely.

For the first year or two that a woman menstruates, their flow and cycle days may chop and change as your body figures things out. For example, it isn’t considered unusual to have longer cycles during this time. On the other hand, older women may find themselves with shorter periods that are more predictable.

How do I know if an irregular menstrual cycle is a cause for concern?

Everyone has their own “normal.” To pinpoint the exact cause behind any changes in your cycle, it’s important to first identify and establish what’s considered normal for you. Afterwhich, you can keep a close eye on any changes and choose whether or not to investigate them further.

A fluctuating menstrual cycle, and even a change in flow, can also be perfectly usual and nothing to concern yourself with. As a general rule of thumb, anything that isn’t within your realm of normal should be brought up with a medical professional.

Sources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/women/normalperiod
2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-stress-cause-you-to-skip-a-period/
3. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle