If your doctor asked you when you had your last period, would you be able to name the exact day your menstrual cycle started or would you have to track your brain for a good guess?
In the busy days and weeks of life, tracking your period from month-to-month is easily forgotten, but it is very important for a number of health-related reasons. Here are a few reasons to keep track of your period:
- Pregnancy. If you are sexually active, tracking your period will help you know if you are possibly pregnant. With unplanned pregnancies, it is important to be aware of it as soon as possible. In addition, many birth control methods rely on being able to accurately predict the rhythm of your menstrual cycle.
- Fertility. For those women who are trying to get pregnant, tracking your period boosts your chances of conception by allowing you to know when you are most fertile.
- Health Changes in the menstrual cycle are often an indicator of larger issues in the body. One early, late, missed or abnormal period isn’t cause for alarm, but menstrual irregularity paired with other symptoms can be a sign of serious health conditions such as a hormone and/or thyroid issue, liver function problems, or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) among other problems.
The rhythm and regularity of your period is important information for doctors as they help you stay a strong, healthy woman. Luckily, tracking your menstrual cycle is fairly easy. You can use a monthly planner, online programs, phone apps, or whatever best suits your lifestyle. Many women only mark the day of the month that their period begins, while others keep detailed records of how long their period lasts, which days were the heaviest, and which days were the most painful in order to know what to expect next month.
It’s important for you to be aware and listen to your body when something may be irregular. If you don’t already, there’s no better time than now to start tracking your menstrual cycle.
For more details, check out our knowledge center article on tracking your period. And if you live in the Gainesville or Lake City area, schedule an appointment with a compassionate care physician at one of our nearby office locations.
