5 reasons to use a period tracker

From having a better understanding of your health to planning for upcoming events, tracking your period can prove to be very useful. 

So, whether you use a good old-fashioned pen-and-paper diary or one of the many period tracker apps now available, we’re taking a look at five key advantages of using a period tracker.

The basics of period tracking are simple. If you prefer traditional methods, take your calendar or diary, and mark off the dates you have your period. You can also note each day how heavy your flow is, what your mood is like, and if you have any physical symptoms like cramps or headaches.¹ 

A retro spreadsheet will also do the job! For the tech lovers among us, period tracking apps can be used in much the same way – simply input when you’re bleeding and add any additional data or notes about your emotional and physical symptoms on any day of the month. While a manual method uses classic counting, tracking apps use sophisticated algorithms to make predictions as to when your period will be and when you’ll ovulate. 

By recording any symptoms you have on any day of the month, tracking can also help you spot trends and changes in your health. Neither method is better than the other – simply choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and way of thinking.

By tracking when your period starts and ends, you can keep a record of the length of your full cycle from month to month. This can help you see whether your cycle is in the realm of ‘normal’ or if it’s on the longer or shorter side. It’s also a very useful way of seeing if your cycles aren’t normal for you, and if any changes coincide with any other physical symptoms.

Noting down any symptoms, like mood changes, severe cramps and heavy flow, can also highlight any changes that you may have otherwise not noticed, forgotten about or thought were unimportant, but could be signs of an underlying problem.³

Having all of this information recorded can really come in handy if you need to talk to a doctor for any reason. For example, if you’re experiencing severe period cramps or are struggling to get pregnant, sharing your tracking with your doctor can help them understand your menstrual health and build a picture as to what may be going on inside your body.⁴ You could also add tracking PMS symptoms or getting hot flushes and night sweats associated with cycle changes.

These peaks and troughs are thought to contribute to PMS (premenstrual syndrome) in some women, and can disrupt your mood, mental health and sex drive. So, while you may feel like you’re feeling different day-to-day, it’s likely all down to where you are in your cycle – and that’s ok! 

Tracking your cycle and how you’re feeling throughout the month can help you better understand yourself and your hormones. It can also help you judge which phase of your cycle you’re in and help you get the most out of that.

Have a read of our cycle syncing foods article for tips on how to eat throughout your cycle to help manage your mood.

Here’s a quick rundown of how the phases of your cycle can affect your hormones and mood:

While using a period tracker unfortunately can’t change when or where you start your period, it can help you be more prepared, and even allow you to plan things around your cycle. 

For example, you might prefer to book a romantic weekend away, knowing you won’t be on your period.^{5, 7, 8} Or you might want to enter into a sports competition when your energy levels are at their highest during ovulation.^{5, 6}

Certain medical tests, like your cervical screening (also known as a smear test), should also be performed at specific points in your cycle.^{4, 9} 

Whatever your reason, being on the ball as to what’s going on in your body can be invaluable in helping you organise your calendar. 

Visit our guide on how to prepare for your period on holiday for more top tips.

So if you’re trying for a baby, using a period tracker and knowing your average cycle length can help give you a pretty accurate idea of when you’ll ovulate.

Some people choose to use period tracking as a natural form of contraception. While it’s not 100% accurate, it can help you narrow down when your fertility window is likely to be.¹⁰ It’s more reliable if you use this method along with tracking all your fertility signs. 

It’s also not a suitable method for everybody and for people who wish not to get pregnant, it is only 76% effective.¹⁰ This means 24 in 100 women will get pregnant when tracking their fertility for a year. Not to mention, this method of contraception doesn’t prevent you from STIs.¹⁰ Speak to your GP, midwife, or nurse if this is an option you’re considering. 

Remember, there’s no ‘safe’ time of the month when there’s zero chance of getting pregnant, so you should always use additional contraception to avoid pregnancy.¹²

So whether you download an app, or start marking off days on your wall calendar, get tracking and get to know your body better.