Period Calendar
A period calendar is mainly used by women trying to either get pregnant or prevent getting pregnant. However, some women maintain the practice of keeping a period calendar so that they can keep tab so they can check with symptoms for premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphonic disorder. This way they need not unnecessarily worry about sudden mood swings and other symptoms.
When maintain a period calendar the first day should be marked on the day the period starts. This is the beginning of the cycle. A usual cycle should last about 28 days, though this could vary for different women, being either shorter or longer. In a typical menstrual cycle the ovulation begins around the fourteenth day. Here again, this could differ among women. It depends on the length of the entire cycle. The menstrual cycle ends when a new period starts. An important point to note is that the length of the cycle can change from month to month. There is no specified length of time for one cycle. The cycle will also be affected when a woman is anxious or under stress. Putting one’s body through extreme workouts can also result in an abnormal cycle.
The period calendar can be used as an aid when taking birth control pills. Instead of blindly taking them regularly, it is better to take them only during the ovulation phase. This prevents your body from being unnecessarily dosed with birth control pills. On a period calendar, symptoms that are being experienced should also be recorded regularly, for later references. This way you can always refer back to old cycles to confirm repetitive symptoms. In time it becomes easy to identify which phase you are experiencing based on the symptoms. If you are trying to prevent pregnancy it is best to avoid sex during this phase as well as to take extra precautions.
Recording symptoms on the period calendar will also enable you to treat yourself for premenstrual syndrome so that it does not affect your regular activities. With practice you will be able to identify which phase you are experiencing without the need of the period calendar.
Many web sites for women offer free period calendars where women can record symptoms and keep track of their cycles. These sites also offer additional tips and advice for women experiencing problems or unable to cope with their symptoms. When an account is opened at some of these women’s web sites, there a forums where symptoms and cycles can be discussed. In addition, free nutritional advice to help you nourish your body when you are going through your period. Email alerts are also one of the features that can be subscribed to. These alerts will remind you about your ovulating phases so that you are aware of it.
