Hi, I’m glad you’re here 🩷
If the menstrual cycle has ever felt like a confusing mix of dates and body changes, let’s make it a little simpler.
Your cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. You might hear that a cycle is “28 days,” but that’s an average, not a rule everyone has to follow. Cycles can vary from person to person, and even from one month to another.
Think of the cycle as four helpful chapters:
MENSTRUAL PHASE
This is when your period happens. The first day you bleed is counted as day one of a new cycle.
FOLLICULAR PHASE
This phase starts on the first day of your period and continues until ovulation. During this time, an egg develops and the lining of the uterus begins to build again. Your period takes place at the start of this phase, so the two overlap.
OVULATION
Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg. It doesn’t happen on day 14 for everyone. Its timing can vary, so a calendar estimate can’t confirm exactly when it happens.
LUTEAL PHASE
This is the time after ovulation and before the next period. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the uterine lining sheds and another period begins.
A small tracking tip
Try noting the first day of your period, how long bleeding lasts, and anything you notice about your mood, energy, or symptoms. Over time, those notes may help you spot your own patterns. Your cycle is personal, so there’s no need to compare it with someone else’s.
A gentle reminder
Cycle tracking gives estimates and helps you notice patterns. It can’t diagnose a health concern or confirm that a day is “safe” from pregnancy. If a change or symptom worries you, check in with a qualified health professional.
Sources
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), “Your First Period”:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/your-first-period
NHS, “Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle”:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/fertility-in-the-menstrual-cycle/
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