The Importance of Knowing Your Menstrual Cycle

A menstrual cycle is a crucial part of a female’s life when she is in her reproductive age. It usually lasts for around 28 days. However, it can be anything between 21 and 35 days. And in a menstrual cycle, you have a period that lasts for 4-7 days and makes you have spotting/bleeding, mood swings, breast tenderness, fatigue, weakness, and unbearable cramps. 

As a female below or around 35 years of your age, you should track your menstrual cycle. It is beneficial for you as it helps you know your period due date, be ready for handling the associated symptoms, and be aware of your reproductive health along with general one. Here have a look at why knowing your menstrual cycle is important for you:   

Inform you on your ovulation 

Ovulation is crucial for a woman. It is a process in which either of your ovaries release a mature egg that travels to your uterus via the fallopian tubes. The egg stays in the fallopian tube on the ovary side for around 24 hours. During its travel uterus, your egg will have fertilisation if you make love with your male partner without using any contraceptive methods. And its successful implantation in the uterus will make you pregnant. 

Tracking your menstrual cycle helps you know when you are going to ovulate. You have ovulation usually in the middle of your menstrual cycle. It occurs on day 14-16 if your menstrual cycle is regular. In the case of irregular menstrual cycle, you can know your ovulation time by measuring your basal body temperature and tracking your cervical mucus texture and colour.  

Keep you updated on your reproductive health 

Most of you have periods that last for 4-7 days if your menstrual cycle ranges 21 to 35 days. Tracking your menstrual cycle can help you know important information on your symptoms and flow during periods. It can help you know whether your menstrual cycle is normal or abnormal. Your periods are abnormal or irregular if they happen:

• Less than 21 days or more than 35 days 

• With abnormal or unbearable vomiting, cramping, pain, or nausea

• Lightly or heavily 

• For more than seven days 

• With many gaps 

• With bleeding between periods    

Lifestyle changes and several health conditions can make your menstrual periods irregular. Certain health conditions that can make you have irregular menstrual periods are as follows:

• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) 

• Endometriosis 

• Cancer 

• Fibroids and uterine polyps PID (Pelvic inflammatory diseases)

• Premature ovarian insufficiency  

• Pregnancy complications 

Prepare you for Premenstrual Syndrome 

Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is something that comes with your period each month. It happens to you due to hormone fluctuations in your body and affects your mood, behaviour, and your physical as well as emotional health. The symptoms of PMS include anxiety, food cravings, headaches, mood swings, and irritability.  

Help you get pregnant or avoid pregnancy 

Tracking your menstrual cycles helps you know when you are going to ovulate. Your ovulation occurs usually in the middle of your menstrual cycle, day 14-17/19. And knowing your ovulation time can help you have unprotected sex with your male partner if you want to conceive. In addition, it can encourage you to have physical intimacy with a contraceptive method or avoid having sex if you don’t want to get pregnant. 

Enable you to comprehend your sex drive 

Most of you (females) have no consistent libido. It keeps fluctuating throughout your menstrual cycle. Progesterone and oestrogen hormones are the ones that affect your sexual desires a lot. High oestrogen hormone levels boost lubrication in your vagina and increase your sex drive. On the other hand, high progesterone hormone levels lower your libido. Before and during ovulation, your sexual drive is usually high.   

Conclusion

Your menstrual cycle is a key indicator of your reproductive health and wellbeing. Whether you want to comprehend your periods and libido or get pregnant, tracking your menstrual cycle will be beneficial for you. As per your convenience, you can use an app or keep a close watch on your bodily changes for it.