Having a period is enough of a hassle without the added stress of having this monthly guest suddenly appear. While there is no scientific method that can pinpoint exactly when your menstrual cycle arrives, the methods below can help you estimate the length of your cycle and prepare you for your next arrival. Carrying pads or tampons in your bag at all times is also an effective strategy to ensure you're always prepared for them.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Monitoring Menstrual Cycle Schedule
Step 1. Recognize the characteristics of a normal period
Menstrual bleeding can last from two days to a week, with an average duration of four days. Spots of blood that appear before your menstrual cycle arrives are generally not considered part of menstrual bleeding; only significant bleeding is counted.
It's common for women in their teens or 20s to have longer cycles, women in their 30s to have shorter cycles, and women in their mid-40s to 50s to have even shorter cycles. If your cycle length changes drastically each month and you've had your period for more than two or three years, it's a good idea to see a doctor to make sure you don't have a hormonal imbalance
Step 2. Start counting the days
Calculate the distance between the first day of one of your menstrual cycles and the first day of the next. This number of days is the length of your menstrual cycle. For most women, the length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, but a normal menstrual cycle can be anywhere from 25 to 35 days.
Step 3. Take notes
Record the first and last days of your menstrual cycle on a calendar. This way, you can predict when your next menstrual cycle will arrive. For most women, the menstrual cycle comes every 28 days, but by monitoring your menstrual cycle you can determine the length of your own cycle.
Step 4. Use the app
You can use online apps like MyMonthlyCycles, MyMenstrualCalendar, or apps on your phone like Period Tracker. This kind of technology is perfect for helping you monitor your menstrual cycle with the convenience that mobile phones offer.
Step 5. Use another calendar/planning tool
Create an event in Google calendar and send yourself a reminder ahead of the time of your next menstrual cycle based on the schedule. Then, that way you can also write down on the calendar the actual arrival time of your menstrual cycle and compare the two dates. This will help you understand the variance from your body's normal cycle and remind you to be alert ahead of the scheduled arrival of your period.
Part 2 of 2: Knowing Your Own Body
Step 1. Know the symptoms of menstruation
Learn about the common symptoms women experience during and just before the start of their menstrual cycle. Here are the symptoms that many women experience during their menstrual cycle:
- irritability
- Mood swings
- Mild headache
- Stomach ache
- Stomach, thigh, or back cramps
- Changes in appetite
- Craving for a certain taste or food
- The appearance of acne
- Sensitive breast
- Feeling tired or sleepy
- Back or shoulder pain
Step 2. Record the symptoms you are experiencing yourself
Every woman's menstrual cycle is unique. Record any symptoms you experience before and during each menstrual cycle to help you predict the arrival of the next cycle. Recognize the signs of the arrival of the menstrual cycle that often appear. Write down a list of the symptoms you are experiencing and how serious they are each day.
Step 3. Discuss menstrual cycle irregularities with your doctor
Irregular menstrual cycles can be a symptom of a variety of conditions that require medical attention. Some of the common medical problems that can cause irregular menstrual cycles are:
- Problems with pelvic organs such as an imperforate hymen (not perforated) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, irritable bowel syndrome)
- liver disease
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
- Obesity
- Tuberculosis
Step 4. Make an effort to have a regular menstrual cycle
If your menstrual cycles are irregular and, through a visit to the doctor, you have determined that there is no serious problem, you can take certain steps to help your periods become more regular. One option is to take oral contraceptives (birth control pills); In addition to preventing pregnancy, this drug is also able to regulate the menstrual cycle effectively.
Tips
- If you get your period at an unexpected time, fold some toilet paper and tuck it in your underwear, or ask someone else for a spare pad or tampon.
- Keep some sanitary pads/tampons/female products of your choice in your room, bag, or backpack--basically, anywhere you can easily access--in case of the unexpected.
- After you have had your first menstrual cycle, ask and seek advice from your mother, older sister, grandmother, or other women who have played a role in your life. You have nothing to be ashamed of!
Warning
- If you can't see a consistent pattern in your menstrual cycle after observing it for a few months, it's a good idea to make a visit to your doctor to make sure you don't have a hormonal imbalance.
- If you have severe abdominal pain that radiates from your belly button to your left side, call your doctor immediately. What you are experiencing is not normal menstrual cramps and is a symptom of appendicitis.
