How To Track Your Cycle

Written by Cinestie Olson

No matter how prepared we think we can be, periods can come out of nowhere and when we least expect it. Or if you’re one of the "lucky ones" who has an unpredictable period that comes whenever it likes, you’re always wondering when the next one will be here. The time has come where you can stop worrying about when your period will arrive - let’s learn how to track our menstrual cycle in different ways!

Why Should You Track Your Cycle?

Though it takes work, tracking your cycle can provide you with SO many benefits. You can become in tune with your body and its symptoms. Feeling grumpy? It may be because you’re in your luteal phase (aka, PMS). Have enough energy to clean the entire house, go for a run, AND lift a whole car? You’re probably in your ovulation phase. Understanding your body’s emotions, energy levels, and physical changes can help you understand what is happening inside.

Learning more about your cycle and what phases it's in can provide you with more holistic and intentional ways to live. Check out our blog post about the different phases of your menstrual cycle to learn more!

How To Track Your Menstrual Cycle

There are a couple ways you can track your cycle. The first way is to use an app (we love modern technology).

Disclaimer: Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, many people have been worried about what that could mean for period tracking. Roe v. Wade helped protect private information about our bodies, such as when our period starts, stops, when we’re most fertile, and if our cycles change. This is a challenge because third-parties could access someone’s information (like our menstrual cycles) and use it to obtain whether someone could have had an abortion or not. If this concerns you, make sure to use an app that will not sell its information by checking the privacy policy within the app.

Use An App

Our favorite period tracking app (that DOESN’T sell your data) is Stardust. Stardust tracks your cycle with the moon and gives detailed information of what your hormones are doing during each phase of your cycle.

Just look at how cute and informative this is???

Tracking With A Journal

Another way to track your cycle is with a journal! Bullet journaling has become super popular within the last few years. You’re able to customize pages to your style and add any pages you’d like. Tracking can help you with your following periods to know what kind of flow to prepare for and what your body needs during each phase!

The first day of your cycle is the day you start your period (or your menstruation phase). Make sure to write down the date, cycle day number, physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, and any other notes you may have. 

Tracking with Discharge

Another way to track your cycle is with your vaginal discharge, or your cervical mucus. You can collect your discharge by using your (clean!!!) finger - it’s that easy.

Menstruation: Days 1-10 will be period blood.

Follicular: Days 5-13 will start with little to no discharge and will become cloudy and white towards the end of this phase.

Ovulation: Days 14-18 will have a thick, clear discharge. It’s often compared to egg whites and this is when you are most fertile!

Luteal: Day 18-28 will return to a white discharge as your body prepares for menstruation again.

Based on an average 28 day cycle, your results may vary.