The menstrual cycle is the monthly cycle by which a woman's body prepares for pregnancy. The menstrual cycle usually lasts about 28 days, according to the National Institutes of Health; however, the length of menstrual cycles depends on many variables specific to the individual woman. As the menstrual cycle begins, rising estrogen levels cause the uterine lining to thicken. Following ovulation, if an egg is not fertilized by a sperm cell, the thickened uterine lining begins to shed, a process called menstruation. You can chart your menstrual cycles by paying attention to the hormonal changes you undergo each month as the time for menstruation approaches.
Step 1
Use a calendar, or a chart with the month and dates, to track your menstrual cycle. The Center for Young Women's Health provides a menstrual cycle tracking chart and a sample completed chart on its website.
Step 2
Write your menstrual cycle symptoms on your chart to help with tracking throughout the month. Symptoms might include spotting, bloating, breast tenderness, cramps, acne, changes in mood, digestive discomfort, bleeding and blood flow. Once the symptoms are listed, you can easily track specific symptoms.
Step 3
Begin tracking your menstrual cycle on the first day of your period. Your menstrual cycle runs from day one of one period to day one of the next period and your period begins as lowered hormones signal your body to shed the uterine lining. Periods can occur 21 to 35 days apart, although the average time is 28 days, according to the Center for Young Women's Health. Menstrual cycles shorten and become more regular as women age. During your period, hormones stimulate your ovaries to create eggs.
Step 4
Note on your cycle chart the blood flow during period. Note whether blood flow is light, normal or heavy and add any other descriptions that seem important.
Step 5
Mark your chart or calendar on the date your period stops. Periods usually last about three to five days, but periods that last two to seven days also are considered normal, according to WomensHealth.gov. During days seven to 12 of your menstrual cycle, your uterine lining continues to thicken.
Step 6
Mark on your calendar the 14th day after your period begins. This is the time in the normal 28-day menstrual cycle that ovulation occurs and an egg travels to your uterus. The timing of this occurrence differs for women whose menstrual cycle is not 28 days.
Step 7
Mark day 25 on your calendar. If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen levels fall around day 25 of your cycle and your uterus prepares to shed its lining. If you do not have a 28-day menstrual cycle, find the corresponding day in your cycle on which your estrogen levels begin to fall. You might need to track backwards from the start of menstruation to identify this day in your cycle.
Step 8
Note on your calendar the date on which your period begins. This signals the start of your next cycle. Even though some months have more than 28 days, your menstrual cycle is 28-days long, in general. Repeat the tracking process to help with identifying a pattern to your menstrual cycle.
Things You'll Need
- Calendar
- Paper
- Pencils
