How to Track Your Period and Why Tracking Your Period Matters
What are the first words that come to mind when you think of your monthly period? For most women, those words might be uncomfortable, painful, annoying—or perhaps even chocolate ice cream and hot compress. But what if your menstrual cycle could reveal more about your physical health than just those unpleasant PMS symptoms? Learn how to track your period and why and how it can help your overall health.
Maybe the pain you are feeling is actually your body shouting at you to listen?
As a nutritional therapist trained in functional medicine, I like to refer to your monthly period as your fifth vital sign. Just like your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate, your period can offer key insights into your overall health. Everything from its colour, length, and heaviness to any PMS symptoms can reveal how your body is functioning. The key is learning what to look for and understanding what your body is trying to tell you.
Your Period: A Window into Your Health
Your menstrual cycle is more than just a monthly inconvenience; it’s a critical indicator of hormonal balance, nutritional status, and even stress levels. Irregularities in your cycle—whether it’s spotting, heavy bleeding, clotting or missed/late periods—can signal deeper health issues like nutrient deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, or even chronic stress.
How Your Period Changes in Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause, and it can bring unpredictable cycle changes—one month your period might be early, the next it’s late or even missing. Tracking your cycle during this time is crucial because it helps you identify patterns, understand hormonal shifts, and spot any irregularities that might need attention. A shorter cycle, heavier bleeding, or worsening PMS symptoms can all signal changes in oestrogen and progesterone levels.
By keeping track of your period, symptoms, mood, and energy levels, you gain valuable insights into your hormonal health. This knowledge allows you to make informed lifestyle, nutrition, and supplement choices to support your body through the transition, rather than feeling at its mercy.
Tracking: The Power of Awareness
To understand your cycle, tracking is essential. Apps like Clue have revolutionised this process by making it easy and accessible. Millions of women worldwide now log their cycles, providing insights into not only their unique patterns but also universal trends.
There are plenty of apps so please choose whichever one you would like, just start tracking!
Unfortunately, there used to be many free ones, and now they all seem to charge. I would check that whichever you choose does not sell your (very personal) data. Clue have promised that they’ll never do that, hence I’ve included their name here/used them as an example. I use Clue.
In 2024, users collectively tracked over 105 million cycles(!), creating a fascinating snapshot of the menstrual experience. Here are some highlights from Clue’s data, so I can assure you that whatever you’re experiencing, you’re not alone:
Flow Patterns
- Light: 38%
- Medium: 37%
- Heavy: 20%
- Super Heavy: 5%
Common Period Pains
- Period cramps: 36%
- Breast tenderness: 13%
- Lower back pain: 11%
- Headaches: 11%
Cravings and Feelings
- Top cravings: Sweet (41%), Salty (25%), Greasy/Carbs (28%)
- Most-tracked moods: Mood swings, Happy, Sensitive, Sad, Not in Control
What Does This Mean for You?
When you track your period, you begin to see patterns and correlations that can transform how you manage your health. For example:
- Cravings can signal nutritional deficiencies like magnesium or calcium.
- Pain levels may point to hormonal imbalances or underlying conditions like endometriosis.
- Mood swings can reflect your body’s response to stress or blood sugar fluctuations.
- Migraines and headaches can show when you’re at your lowest.
Your Period is Your Guide
Here’s what tracking your period can help you uncover:
- Hormonal Balance: Irregular cycles or severe PMS may suggest oestrogen dominance or progesterone insufficiency.
- Stress Levels: High stress can delay ovulation or even stop menstruation altogether.
- Nutritional Gaps: Fatigue, cramps, or headaches could indicate deficiencies in key nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, or iron.
- Sleep and Energy: The data from Clue revealed that 37% of women woke up tired during their periods, underlining the importance of rest and recovery at this time.
How to Start Tracking
If you’re new to tracking, begin by noting these key factors:
- Flow: Is it light, medium, heavy, or super heavy?
- Duration: How many days does your period last?
- Symptoms: Track cramps, cravings, mood swings, and energy levels.
- Cycle Length: How many days between the start of one period and the next?
By logging this data consistently, you’ll start to uncover valuable patterns and gain a deeper understanding of your health.
The More You Know, The Better You Feel
Tracking your period isn’t just about understanding your cycle; it’s about empowering yourself to take charge of your health. With the help of apps like Clue and a commitment to listen to your body’s signals, and then do something about them, you can transform how you approach your well-being.
So next time you think of your period, swap annoying for insightful. Your body is talking—it’s time to start listening.
There are lots of apps to track your cycle with. Sadly most of them now charge a small fee to do this. Make sure you choose one that won’t sell your data. Here’s a list of some popular ones.
- Science-backed insights for tracking cycle patterns, PMS, and mood changes.
- Tracks periods, ovulation, and offers helpful articles on hormonal health.
Period Calendar (Period Tracker)
- Simple, user-friendly app with reminders for your cycle, ovulation, and fertility.
- Tracks your period and fertility; ideal for those planning or avoiding pregnancy.
- Great for tracking period symptoms, sex drive, and mood.