Ladies, here’s why it’s important to track your period

Lots of girls don't track their period. Especially if you're not sexually active or if you're on contraception, why would you? But you should absolutely track your cycle, no matter what your situation is. Here's why:

It helps you know if you're pregnant

A fairly obvious one, but tracking your monthly cycle will help you know if you've missed a period and might be pregnant. Of course, this won't confirm this, and some women miss periods for other reasons, such as stress or medical issues, but it does help to flag up a potential pregnancy.

It gives you control

Tracking your period can give you control over your life and body. Knowing when you're due can help with things like packing for holidays and planning outdoor activities. If you know when you're due, then you're less likely to be caught by surprise when you need it least. Most girls carry supplies with them at all times, but if you know that you're not due then you don't have to panic if you don't have anything with you.

It can help you to figure out what's normal for you

Some girls just track the dates of your period, some girls track more details such as flow and pain, but this really depends on you as a person. Girls with issues that impact their periods are more likely to track in detail as it helps them to see any changes in their cycle. Tracking your flow, pain and dates can make it easier to notice if there's something untoward going on. Ladies with conditions like PCOS and endometriosis may find tracking their periods helpful, especially if they're still waiting for a diagnosis as there are certain characteristics connected to their periods that are linked to both conditions, which can be noticed more easily if you track your period in detail.

You still need to track your cycle even if you're on contraception

Being on the pill or taking any other form of contraception is not enough- you still need to track your period. Just because you have regular periods because of contraception doesn't exclude you from the rule. Tracking your cycle even when taking contraception will help you to notice if there are any changes in your body, and serves as extra peace of mind in case you have a slip up in taking contraception correctly.

Just because you take these does not exclude you from tracking your cycle

It saves awkward moments with your doctor

I was chastised by a radiologist for not knowing when my last period was, don't be me. Most doctors will ask you when your last period was if you go in for something related to sexual or intimate health. Even if you know you're not pregnant, your point in your cycle can alter your body, so doctors will need to know at what point you are so that they don't give you the wrong advice, especially when it comes to scans. It might seem like they're encroaching on your personal life, but it is a standard question. Don't get caught out.

But how?

Living in this technology era makes tracking periods easy. There are a variety of apps available that can predict when you're due which can save you hassle. However, some ladies prefer to keep note of their cycle by hand. If you intend to track your period pain and flow, as well as dates, tracking by hand is often easier as you can be thorough with your notes. Although the apps available are helpful, they are not always accurate, so sometimes taking notes on paper is a better system. No matter which system you prefer to use, both are an effective way to track you period.