What Are Period Trackers and How Do They Work?
In a rush but got fear of missing out? Here's a summary:
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Period trackers can't promise 100% accuracy but they can give you a pretty good idea of how your cycle works
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Even keeping track of just the first day of your period each month can help you notice most irregularities
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Trackers can help you understand your unique patterns, including when you are most fertile
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Keeping track of your cycle can help you understand and manage your mood and emotions
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There are many different methods to track your cycle, including apps, jotting on a calendar and online trackers
Understanding your cycle can reveal a lot about yourself and importantly help you recognise any irregularities whilst also giving you a deeper understanding of your mood, energy levels, fertility and even things like food cravings. Our team have put together their five top reasons for tracking your cycle and their favourite tracking methods. Read on!
Why should I track my period cycle?
1. Tracking your cycle can help you understand your body
Tracking your period can help you understand how your body works. Since we all have our own unique patterns, tracking your cycle can help you to find out what your 'normal' is. If you are aware of your cycle, you will naturally feel more in-control and feel more in sync with your body and the way it works. Starting by even noting the first day of your period each month can help you build a pattern and understand how long your cycle is and when you are likely to have your period - this also helps you avoid annoying accidents!
2. You will know when you are fertile
When using an app to track your period, most apps will use the data you provide them to work out when you are ovulating and be able to help you understand when you are most fertile. The 'fertile window', when pregnancy is most likely, usually occurs during the 5 days leading up to ovulation and 1 day after ovulation, and tracking apps can even send you reminders letting you know when you are most fertile and reminding you of your 'fertile window'.
3. Tracking your period helps you spot irregularities
Tracking your cycle helps you to understand your unique patterns which can help you spot any irregularities much more easily. Your menstrual cycle is an indicator of your overall health and being aware of your unique patterns can help you notice if anything changes. Many tracker apps also prompt you to note down various details including irregularities or changes so you're able to remember these when speaking to your health care practitioner.
4. You can understand and manage your mood levels
Hormonal changes occur naturally during your menstrual cycle and these have an impact on your mood, energy levels and even food cravings. Tracking your period can help you to understand the rhythm of your cycle and can help to explain why you might be feeling more irritated, anxious or affectionate than usual. You are also able to make adjustments to things like sleep and the foods you are eating if you are aware of your menstrual cycle and changing your diet (for example, eating foods like leafy green vegetables and lots of fruits) whilst menstruating can really boost your mood and help to maintain your energy levels.
5. And of course, it helps you to avoid accidents!
Aside from all of the above benefits, tracking your period also helps you to avoid out of the blue accidents, like leaks and stains, which is always a plus! Using our leak-proof light absorbency period pants is also great for the days that you think your period might turn up as it provides light protection in ultra-thin regular feeling underwear! We recommend our seamless underwear for these days, which holds up to 2 tampons' worth. You can shop the seamless collection here.
Our favourite methods to track your period:
There are many different ways to track your period, but here are some simple and, even, fun ways that we choose to track ours:- an app - there are loads of great apps and some of our favourites include FLO and CLUE.
- you can go old school with a paper calendar
- using a monthly planner or diary to jot it down