Having a good understanding of your menstrual cycle (or ovarian cycle) allows you to make informed decisions about health and family planning. Often the gynecologist during the visit wants to know which is the first day of menstruation; it is a data that can be easily calculated by following a few simple steps. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Determine the First Day of Cycle
Step 1. Know what the menstrual cycle is
The woman starts menstruating when she reaches puberty and becomes fertile. The menstrual cycle is divided into different phases (follicular, ovulation and luteal); the first day of the cycle describes the luteal phase which involves the loss of the blood-rich uterine lining through the vaginal opening; this phenomenon is also known as menstruation.
- Usually, the ovarian cycle occurs every 21-35 days in adult women and every 21-45 days in younger girls. It is counted starting from the first day of menstruation until the first day of the following ones.
- The menstrual cycle is linked to fluctuations in estrogen levels. During the first half of the cycle, the body is rich in estrogen (follicular phase) and the uterine lining begins to thicken in preparation for implantation of the fertilized egg.
- In the middle phase of the cycle, the ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tubes; this stage, known as ovulation, is the best for conceiving.
- If an egg released during this period is not fertilized and does not implant in the uterine walls, the levels of progesterone and estrogen drop; as a result, the uterus loses its thickened lining during the luteal phase.
Step 2. Recognize the first day of your period
Knowing the various stages of the cycle allows you to make decisions about your health and family planning. To start figuring out what the first day of your period is and knowing the length of your ovarian cycle, you need to start counting the number of days starting from the first of your periods to the first of the following ones.
- The first day of your ovarian cycle corresponds exactly to the first day of menstruation; therefore, mark it on the calendar with an "X".
- Bleeding on average lasts 3 to 5 days, but it can vary for each individual case.
- On the seventh day of the menstrual cycle, vaginal bleeding typically has ended and the ovaries begin to form follicles in preparation for ovulation. This is the consequence of the increase in estrogen that occurs between the fourth and seventh day.
Step 3. Track your period for a few months
If you write down when they start, marking the first day of the cycle, you can know the general trend of the ovarian cycle and be able to determine the first day of the next menstruation.
- On average, most adult women have a menstrual cycle of 28 days; this means that 28 days pass between each first day of menstruation.
- However, the menstrual cycle can also be slightly longer or shorter (adult women tend to have periods ranging from 21 to 35 days). For this reason, it is important to keep track of your menstrual cycles for a few months, so that you know how long they last.
- As long as your periods occur on a regular basis, regardless of the length of the interval between them, your ovarian cycle is healthy.
- You can write down your periods by putting a note on the calendar or, if you prefer, you can use a smartphone application, such as "My Menstrual Calendar" or "iGyno".
Step 4. Identify the first day of your next period
Establishing the length of your ovarian cycle helps you to know in advance when your next period will begin.
- Once you have tracked your periods and established your period length, you can start marking your calendar data to locate the first day of your next period.
- For example, if your ovarian cycle is 28 days, mark it on the calendar (starts on the first day of the next bleeding) by putting an "X" every 28 days; this represents the first day of the next menstruation.
- If you are taking the birth control pill, the cycle is usually exactly 28 days, due to the fact that it is scheduled by taking the pills itself. In fact, in each package there are 21 "active" pills containing the hormone and another 7 placebos. Once you have taken all the hormone pills, your period usually begins, lasting 7 days (or less), during which you have to take the placebo pills.
- If you are taking "extended" or "continuous" hormonal contraceptives, menstruation occurs less frequently. The seasonal pill pack contains 84 hormonal contraceptives and 7 placebos. In this way, the ovarian cycle only occurs every 91 days.
Method 2 of 3: Notice the Signs of the Beginning of Menstruation
Step 1. Know that it is normal to have premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Most women experience symptoms a couple of weeks before menstruation begins. However, once bleeding begins, these symptoms tend to disappear. Every woman has a different PMS, but it can certainly help to take note of your symptoms just like you do with your period.
- Almost all women suffer from at least one PMS symptom as a normal part of their ovarian cycle.
- These symptoms can be both physical and emotional in nature.
Step 2. Be aware of mood swings
Many women experience crying spells, anxiety, mood swings, or depression before bleeding begins. They can also present a sense of exhaustion and irritability. If the mood swings don't stop once your period starts or you find that they interfere with everyday life, you need to see your gynecologist.
To combat depression and fatigue, you can do 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and strength training two or more days a week
Step 3. Pay attention to gastrointestinal problems
You may have abdominal bloating, constipation, water retention and even diarrhea before your period starts; these days, therefore, you may be gaining some weight. Remember, however, that symptoms should disappear within 4 days of starting the vaginal bleeding; if this does not happen, you must visit the gynecologist.
- You should also limit your salt intake and eat smaller, more frequent meals to partially relieve bloating and water retention.
- You can take a diuretic if you want to get rid of excess fluid, reduce swelling, and consequently lose weight.
Step 4. Observe any physical changes
It is quite common to experience breast pain, muscle or joint pain and headache. If this is the case, you can take pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen to relieve some of the symptoms.
Acne is also a common physical symptom when menstruation is about to begin
Step 5. Know when to see the gynecologist
If you notice 5 or more of these symptoms and realize that PMS prevents you from doing your usual activities normally, you may be suffering from PMD. Your gynecologist may prescribe antidepressants, stronger pain relievers, or even the Yaz contraceptive pill to manage your symptoms.
- If you suffer from PMDD, you can also consider seeing a therapist to get emotional symptoms under control.
- You should also go to the gynecologist if your symptoms don't go away once your period starts or you start to notice a change in the frequency or intensity of your symptoms.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Menstrual Problems
Step 1. Know when to talk to your gynecologist about your menstrual cycle
If you have any medical concerns regarding this aspect of your fertile life, you should definitely contact your gynecologist. You need to consult it even if your period starts to get unusual or suddenly irregular. Some issues you need to address are:
- If you have turned 15 but your period hasn't started yet, you should go to your gynecologist, as you may have a hormonal imbalance that affects your health in general.
- If your period is excessively painful and you have heavy bleeding or it lasts more than a week.
- If your period starts to become irregular, it is delayed or you have mid-cycle bleeding.
Step 2. Recognize amenorrhea
It consists in the lack of menstruation. Generally, women start menstruating around the age of 15; if you or your daughter, at this age, have not yet had your first period, you should consult a gynecologist.
- If you have not menstruated for more than three months once your fertile life has begun regularly, you may suffer from secondary amenorrhea; this could be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Amenorrhea can also occur if you have health problems, as the body is unable to support regular menstruation. It could be a problem resulting from excessive stress, a hormonal imbalance, or an eating disorder.
- If the amenorrhea is due to hormonal disorders, your fertility may be at risk. See a gynecologist right away, especially if you are concerned about having polycystic ovary syndrome.
Step 3. Know if you have dysmenorrhea
This is a problem that causes terribly painful periods. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, to relieve cramps, but if the situation persists, you should see your doctor.
- In young girls, dysmenorrhea is often due to an excessive amount of prostaglandins. It is possible to regulate this hormone by following a healthy diet as much as possible and maintaining a normal weight.
- In older women, this disorder can occur due to some more serious health problem, such as endometriosis, fibroids or adenomyosis.
Step 4. Recognize abnormal vaginal bleeding
If you have had regular periods in the past, you should recognize the normal aspect of menstruation. Look out for unusual or irregular bleeding and, in this case, see your gynecologist right away.
- If you feel discomfort and bleeding occurs after intercourse, it is a rather significant sign of a possible disease; in this case you must absolutely talk to the gynecologist.
- Spotting in the middle of the menstrual cycle and heavy bleeding during menstruation are also signs that need immediate attention.
Step 5. Learn about the causes of abnormal menstruation
There can be several factors that affect the cycle. If you want to try to keep your menstruation as normal as possible, you should strive to stay normal weight and visit the gynecologist to make sure of the presence or absence of any possible pathology.
- Ovarian dysfunction can lead to a hormonal alteration, which in turn causes irregular menstruation. Polycystic ovary syndrome and early ovarian failure are two examples.
- Abnormalities in reproductive structures can cause disease or infections that lead to abnormal menstruation. Visit your gynecologist to see if you have endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids.
- Among the various factors that greatly affect the body's functions and that can alter the normal menstrual cycle are high stress levels, low body weight and eating disorders.
Step 6. Go to the gynecologist
You should have a pelvic exam every year to make sure that any irregularities in the ovarian cycle are diagnosed as soon as possible. Keep track of your period and monitor symptoms to help your gynecologist make correct diagnoses and possibly get appropriate treatment. The specialist may prescribe oral contraceptives or progestogen hormones to manage menstrual irregularities.
Advice
- If you just count from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period, you can't exactly determine the length of your ovarian cycle. You have to take note of this data for several months and evaluate the average duration; you can then use these elements to make programming.
- As the first day of your period approaches, you should also start noticing mood swings and other PMS symptoms.
