How to Make a Menstrual Cycle Calendar

how to make a menstrual cycle calendar

By Cynthia – Misscoty.com

 

First of all, if you just got your first period, welcome to the club! We have cookies and chocolate (and we’ll share!) With the arrival of your first period comes the need to start keeping track of your menstrual health. How are you supposed to do that, you might ask? By creating a menstrual calendar! Today’s blog post will show you how to make your very own menstrual cycle calendar, and why it’s important.

Let’s do some clarification before the actual calendar
A menstrual cycle is NOT the only days you are actually bleeding (A.K.A. the period). In fact, a menstrual cycle is the number of days from one period until the next period. So, if this is your first period, start counting! Count from the first day of your period (first bleeding day) until the first day of your next period. When your next period starts, you stop counting – and now you know your length of your first menstrual cycle. Below is an example with an actual calendar. For example, if your period began on the 1st of January, and your next period is on the 2nd of February, then that adds up to a 32-day menstrual cycle. On the 2nd of February when your next period starts, you start counting again.
How to make a menstrual cycle calendar example - template
Wait? What? So you mean the menstrual cycle NEVER ENDS!? I am on my menstrual cycle FOREVER?! That sounds vicious!
how to make a menstrual cycle calendar - pinterest
Well, yes, from your first period (menarche) until you stop having periods (menopause) your menstrual cycle doesn’t stop. So, now you know when your gynecologist asks you for your average cycle length. She is NOT asking how long your average period is. Which leads me to the next point…
Why should you know this?
Well, you should know this because, as mentioned before, your gynecologist will want to know this to get a better understanding of your body. Keep in mind – it is extremely common for your cycle to vary in length throughout your life, especially when you’re just starting your period. So if the number changes month to month, don’t worry! Every girl is different, but periods often occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common. If you have any questions if what you’re experiencing is normal, be sure to ask your doctor! Other reasons why you should be aware of the length of your cycle:
You’ll start to get a good idea of when to expect your next period
You’ll learn more about your body’s rhythm – and find what’s normal for you.

If you know when to expect your next period, you can make sure you have your favorite products at the ready. A panty liner can be worn, or if you are into reusable period products menstrual cups are also a great option. Menstrual cups can be worn without the concern of it absorbing your body’s natural moisture while not menstruating, unlike tampons. If you’ve never used a menstrual cup, don’t worry, there are ones for young beginners as well as women who have given birth, just do a thorough research on menstrual cups before purchasing one. This also leads me to the next point that hasn’t been yet answered…

Why keep counting my menstrual cycle? Doesn’t it stay the same?

No, it doesn’t stay the same. Especially in the first few years of menstruation. It is said that your first 2 years of your menstrual cycle can or will be irregular. This is OK. Your body is going through lots of big changes, after all. When I say “irregular” I mean – you could skip months, or your cycle could vary greatly in length. As I said, your body is changing. However, this is NOT ok if you’ve had your period for some time now and you are experiencing these irregularities. This may be due to different reasons. If your cycle starts coming and going away randomly, or disappears altogether, please, see your gynecologist. It’s not a joking matter! Please, dear ladies, invest in your health.

How to make a menstrual cycle calendar
The best way to make a calendar? Good old-fashioned pen and paper! Get a journal or a calendar (there are also those tiny ones, like a card, that you can put in your wallet) to keep notes about your cycle. Another option, if you have a phone, is to download a period tracking app. I use an app because I have my phone with me all the time. Find what works for you – but the key is to stay consistent! Just mark the first day of your period and count the number of days your menstrual cycle is (in the above mentioned example it was 32 days). So count from the first day of your period (that’s day 1) until day 32 (that is when you should expect your next period’s first day). When your period arrives, mark it with a little red dot, a P, or just an exclamation mark! Other good things to note in your calendar are when you start noticing PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms, which helps you to get a better understanding of your body and prepare for your period. And then remember the foods you should avoid mood swings. If you have any comments or any other questions, comment below. We will be happy to help you with all your questions or helping you to create your own menstrual calendar. Looking for more answers? Check out the videos below for more details on the menstrual cycle and how menstruation works.
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Cynthia blogs about the battles of body hair removal and the joy of periods on https://misscoty.com/. After finishing her Bachelor’s, she decided that it’s time for some self-time so she is now living all over Europe, starting from Portugal. So dealing with periods while on the move is an adventure on its own.

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