What do you actually know about your period?
Antonia Jenkinson
Step by step guide
Day 1: The first day of your period. The first day of bleeding is considered the first day of the cycle. Menstruation is the process of the uterus shedding its lining after preparing for a fertilised egg. Typically periods last between 2-7 days with variation and everyone experiences different levels of flow. With a period can often come tender breast and abdominal cramping as a result of an increase in the hormone FSH. Abdominal cramping is also caused by the uterus slightly contracting to expel the egg and blood.
Days 6-14: The week after your period is known as the follicular phase. During this phase, the body will increase levels of oestrogen and combine them with low levels of progesterone. Often good skin and an improved mood are associated with this phase. In the first couple of days after the period, the vagina will not produce much discharge, as oestrogen levels are low. After this, during the days between the period and ovulation, a sticky, white discharge should be expected.
Ovulation window: The ovulation window occurs during the follicular phase and happens a couple of days before ovulation. One way of noting that your ovulation window has occurred is by looking at your discharge. During the ovulation window, discharge should be wetter than normal and appear clear and stretchy. This is becuase there is more cervical fluid, and this kind of discharge is often likened to an egg white.
Day 14: Day 14 of the menstrual cycle is typically where ovulation takes place. It can be difficult to know precisely when ovulation is happening, however by regularly measuring your temperature at the same time each morning and buying ovulation tests (which are used the same way as pregnancy tests) it should be easy to track. As sperm can survive in the uterus for up to 5 days, and a released egg lives for about 24 hours, conception is possible at any point during this window of time.
Days 15-28: The days after ovulation leading up to your next period are known as the luteal phase. After ovulation oestrogen levels drop and progesterone levels increase, which can cause constipation. In the 4-5 days before the period, if egg implantation has not occured, both progesterone and oestrogen levels will continue to drop, often leading to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Why should I track my period/be aware of my partner’s cycle?
Understanding how hormone levels change during your menstrual cycle can help you to adjust your routines and life for yourself, or someone in your life who menstruates.
Tracking your menstrual cycle can help you to understand the individual patterns of your cycle, and can therefore improve symptom management. Using a calendar can help menstruators better anticipate symptoms to be prepared. Tracking the menstrual cycle can also allow you to schedule fewer activites during periods of the cycle you know your energy will be low. It is also helpful for healthcare professionals for you to know the ins and outs of your period, especially when discussing contraception or having a pap smear done.
Understanding the mechanics of your period is not just so you can prepare for misery the week of your period; when you know your oestrogen levels will be high (right before ovulation and early in the luteal phase), the body has its highest tolerance for pain, making it the ideal time for waxes, tattoos, or Sunday lunch with the in-laws.