Every girl will become a girl sooner or later. She will enter puberty. It is characterized by the appearance of some new processes familiar to adults. For example, monthly. And almost every teenager thinks about how to count the menstrual cycle. Especially if the girl is already sexually active, which is not uncommon in the modern world. Even adult women think about the monthly cycle. For example, those who are trying to use the calendar method of contraception or planning to become mothers in the near future. Below we will study all the useful and relevant information about menstruation. In reality, everything is not as difficult as it seems. At least for the female half of society.
What is this
How to correctly calculate the menstrual cycle? First, let's find out what we are talking about.
As already mentioned, during puberty, girls experience monthly bleeding. This is the period when blood is released from the vagina in large quantities. This process, as a rule, occurs with a certain frequency - once a month. Therefore, it is called "monthly".
From a biological point of view, menstruation is the beginning of maturationa new egg for fertilization and the death of an old female cell that has not encountered conception. As soon as a girl first meets with critical days, we can assume that she is able to become pregnant. So it is.
Types of cycles
To learn how to count the menstrual cycle, you need to understand that the study period for each girl lasts differently. But doctors distinguish several types of monthly cycles.
Namely:
- regular (medium);
- short;
- extended;
- fickle.
Next, we will consider all possible scenarios. In fact, everything is not as difficult as it seems. And defining a critical cycle with the right approach will not be difficult.
First day
From what day is it correct to count the menstrual cycle?
In general, the monthly cycle is the time between two extreme menstruation. And therefore, not every girl knows how to correctly calculate this period.
The menstrual cycle should be counted from the first day of the next critical days. Sometimes this is problematic. For example, if critical days used to come immediately, and now smears begin before heavy bleeding.
In this case, it is recommended to note when spotting occurs. And from this moment count the cycle. It is also advisable to remember at what point the critical days became ordinary, plentiful. All this will help not to make mistakes with the calculations.
Average duration
Now a few words abouthow long the study period will last. This information will help answer how to count the menstrual cycle.
Let's start with the most common option. We are talking about the average duration of the interval between periods. Ideally, it is 28-30 days. But it can last up to 35 days.
This means that the next critical days will come in 28-35 days. The countdown starts from the first day of menstruation.
Important: in order to correctly guess the day of the next menstruation, it is recommended to use the calendar. You just need to clean the average cycle time from the first day of the current "critical" ones. Circle the resulting date - this is the expected start of a new period.
Short period
But, as already mentioned, women may have different lengths of the study period, which must be taken into account if you want to learn how to correctly calculate the menstrual cycle. We have already familiarized ourselves with the basics of this operation. What's next?
Now consider the shortened menstrual cycle. This is the interval between the beginning of critical days with a difference of 21 days. Sometimes a little longer or less.
Accordingly, critical days can come several times a month with a short menstrual cycle. This situation is either considered normal (as an individual feature of the organism), or indicates serious he alth problems.
Important: a short period of time between periods should not cause panic. Especially when the cycle is becoming or provided that the womanalways had a short cycle.
Long wait
From what day to count the menstrual cycle? Since the beginning of the next monthly bleeding. Or after the girl noticed spotting spotting. Only in this way will it be possible to cope with the task without any problems.
In some cases, girls are faced with a long monthly cycle. This is also normal. Under such circumstances, menstruation may come once every 1.5-2 months.
Usually, the difference between critical days is 35 days or more. You can calculate the approximate start of new bleeding according to the previously proposed principle.
Important: a missed period or a long menstrual cycle is also normal. Especially on a permanent basis. If the cycle suddenly and for no reason began to lengthen, you should go to the gynecologist and take a series of tests.
Inconstancy in the body
How to count the days of the menstrual cycle? During this period, you need to include not only the time after bleeding, but also the menses themselves. Only in this way will it be possible to cope with the task and understand when new "women's days" will come.
In some cases, women have irregular menstrual cycles. This state is characterized by cycle jumps. It either lengthens or shortens. It is impossible to call such a state the norm. The girl will have to contact a specialist and adjust the cycle. For example, with the help of special hormonal pills.
Important: Intermittent cycle is normalafter abortion, childbirth, miscarriage, frozen pregnancy, during lactation, in adolescence and after treatment for infertility and other gynecological diseases.
How to count the menstrual cycle in this case: you only have to analyze the situation and calculate the average duration of the difference between the critical days. This is the only way to calculate the date of new critical days with a non-permanent cycle.
Basal temperature will help with the problem
Can be used to calculate the menstrual cycle, and the calculation calendar, often referred to as the basal temperature chart. Or girls use information about the average duration of the difference between menstruation and a regular calendar.
Let's dwell on the measurement of basal temperature. By this indicator, you can determine the approach of critical days, pregnancy, ovulation and the presence of pathologies and inflammatory processes in the body.
Conventionally, the cycle is divided into 3 parts:
- follicular stage;
- ovulation time;
- luteal phase.
The beginning of the study period (menstruation) is also marked on the corresponding graph.
The thing is that during menstruation, a girl has a sharp drop in BBT - up to 36-36.5 degrees. The follicular phase is characterized by a normal temperature that gradually rises. At this time, the indicators will be at around 36.5-36.7 degrees.
There is an increase in BBT during ovulationup to 37-37.5 degrees Celsius. Sometimes the day before the auspicious day of conception, a sharp drop in temperature is noted on the BT chart. After ovulation, the indicators remain within 36.8-37.2 degrees. And during the next menstruation, there is a sharp drop in BBT.
This option can be used to count the cycle. It is enough every day in the morning, without getting out of bed, to measure BBT, write down the data in a notebook and put them on the appropriate chart.
Important: in order to be able to judge the cycle and its phases, it is recommended to keep a BT schedule for at least 3 full periods between critical days.
Dangerous and safe days
Some would like to know how to count the menstrual cycle in order to have unprotected sex and not get pregnant. This is not the best solution, but it is quite common.
To determine the safe days for unprotected intercourse, you need to determine the length of the cycle. Then divide the resulting figure by 2. Subtract 7 days from the last indicator, then add 3 days to it.
The week before the middle of the cycle and after 3 days from ovulation is the safe period. It is possible to get pregnant during the corresponding days, but with a tiny degree of probability.
In general, to calculate safe days, you need to determine ovulation. It often occurs in the middle of the critical cycle. According to the BT schedule, "Day X" is also easily determined.
Modern women can "catch" ovulation with home rapid tests. The latter are generally able to eliminate the needcount the menstrual cycle for conception.
In conclusion
We figured out how to count the days of the menstrual cycle. Every girl can solve the problem. Especially if you follow the suggested tips. And under the supervision of doctors, the problem will be solved in no time at all.
It is worth remembering that in ordinary life anovulation can occur 2 times a year. Then menstruation will come after 2 full cycles. Or standard delays are not excluded. Usually, the arrival of menstruation a week or a week before the expected menstruation is considered the norm. Such a rejection as a "one-time action" should not be scary.
That's all the information on the topic "How to count the menstrual cycle". The BT table (see photo above) clearly demonstrates that this is not so difficult. Well, we have already talked about how to conduct it.
