5 reasons to track your periods

The four-day bloody show for each women may stir in many emotions depending on their need. For some it might bring happiness, for some a feeling of dejection and a good-to-go for the rest. It not only helps you to plan natural conception but also also helps prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Did you know that your period could also give you the hint that your body is working fine? Women who do not track their periods end up giving a blank stare when they aren’t sure of the day of the last period. It’s fascinating and at the same time empowering to track the cycle. Tracking periods makes it easier to identify gynecological problems at an earlier stage and also in understanding the sexuality and our body. Regularity in getting your periods is one of the key indicators of overall well-being.

Most women have a 28-day cycle ,whereas it’s generally considered to be normal if the cycle is anywhere between 21-35 days. Tracking the cycle also helps to identify the ovulation period that makes it easier to plan conception. Understanding your cycle and your ovulation dates makes it easier to plan. Women ovulate 14 days before each cycle, depending on the length of your cycle. So planning conception during ovulation increases your odds of becoming pregnant.

At the same time, it also helps prevent unwanted pregnancies when you avoid intercourse during your ovulation period. So the tracking of periods play a major role be it planning for a pregnancy or not to becoming pregnant as well.

But if your periods aren’t regular, which means your cycles do not fall between the normal duration it indicates an underlying health condition that needs to be checked. Vaginal infections, fibroids, pelvic inflammation, PCOD could be reasons that your period is irregular.

The best days to go for vacation or party can also be done since you might be well prepared with period supplies like the pads, menstrual cups. And save the nicest white pant from the bloody show.

Tracking periods also helps in understanding mood. Irritability, anxiety could not just be part of PMS but mood swings during the menstrual cycle helps understand the rhythm of the cycle. So the moods are much more than PMS, knowing and tracking them makes you well prepared to manage them.

We now live in a world that every human being owns a smart phone and has it loaded with apps starting with one for work, meets and even tracking drinking water. Why not have an app that lets you know about your bodily functions and help in your well-being.

What to look for in period tracking app?

• Easy to understand tracking mechanism.
• Clear instructions to input period start date and end date along with flow, discharge pattern and moods.
• Indicate fertile period and ovulation date.
• Reminder before couple of days to period start for keeping supplies handy.

I tried out a couple of apps to track my periods that really helped to understand my body better. It also helps in calculating your LMP when you miss your period and helps to calculate the due date.

Here are three apps that I tried and recommend for period tracking.

PERIOD CALENDAR:

Period calendar helps in tracking and predicting period dates. Major advantages are the prediction of fertile window and ovulation date. Tracking of temperature,mood,weight, birth control and intercourse are additional features.

Additional feature of pill reminder helps when you take supplements or birth control pills.

Available on android and iPhones.

Download

FLO PERIOD TRACKER

Flo uses machine learning to accurately access periods and ovulation dates. The calendar is simple and bold helps in tracking moods, symptoms and sex drive.

Sleep cycles, water consumption and physical activity can also be tracked. The dashboard that portrays the insights help in making us understand more about body and cycle.

Available on android and iphone.

Download

CLUE

Ranked as the top app for tracking periods and ovulation by the obstetrics and gynecology journal this app helps in identifying unique patterns in menstrual cycles. There is no pinks, butterflies and the app caters to all age groups. The app uses science to keep track of moods, periods, health log and exercises.

The unique algorithm uses the data that is input to provide predictions, so the more the usage the smarter the app.

Download

Now that you know the benefits of tracking periods, start doing it and thank me later. When you have tonnes of apps for everything you need or sometime for things not needed, why not have one to track your health.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ 

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