Featured
Menstrual Cycle
Sugar Editorial Picks
PMDD: My Dirty Little Secret
Three years ago I was diagnosed with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) — it's sort of like PMS on overdrive, except way worse. Before the diagnosis I was embarrassed at how unstable I felt as my period approached, especially when all of my girlfriends seemed to be handling their PMS symptoms in a manageable way.
My menstrual cycles were always preceded by feelings of severe depression, crying bouts, anxiety, fatigue, and extreme back pain that would disappear the day my period started.
Do Tell: How Do You Keep Track of Your Period?
I'm sure many of you are so in tune with your bodies that you know exactly when Aunt Flo is going to pay you a visit. Some women count days and keep track of their periods on their calendar, some women record the details of their cycles on a fertility awareness chart, and others just know based on their birth control (how many pills they have left in their pack or how long they've been wearing their NuvaRing). Of course PMS and the responses our bodies give us are a great indication (did someone say sore boobs?), but how do you keep track of your cycle?
Cervical Fluid: What It Says About Your Fertility
So I've already gone into detail about how cervical fluid is totally normal and how you have different kinds, but what does it all mean in relation to your fertility?
As a general rule, you are most fertile on the last day of egg white cervical fluid (this is the day before or the day you ovulate). This wetness provides nutrients for the sperm to survive, and also makes it easy for those little guys to swim to your fallopian tubes and find your egg.
Cervical Fluid: It's Totally Normal
I'm sure you've all noticed some wetness down there in your lady business — maybe you thought it was some kind of an infection, but then miraculously, it goes away, right? Well that's your cervical fluid, and it's not an infection at all. It's actually totally normal, and if you take notice of it in the weeks leading up to your period, you'll be able to tell when you're the most fertile.
Do You Believe in Menstrual Synchrony?
If you've ever lived with other women, and none of you were on hormonal birth control, you may have discovered that your cycles slowly began to mimic each others. This is called menstrual synchrony, but many scientists will say that women who live together, menstruate together is hogwash. I've actually experienced this so there's got to be some truth to it.
Can You Get Pregnant When You Have Your Period?
For a while, I always thought that you could have unprotected sex while you had your period, and it was a "safe" time when you wouldn't have to worry about getting pregnant. Then I heard there are a few cases where women have gotten pregnant, so what's the deal?!
If a woman has a typical 28-day menstrual cycle, then she will ovulate in the middle of her cycle (around 14 days after the 1st day of her period).
Can Exercise Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?
Working out regularly affects all aspects of your life in a positive way. It keeps your heart healthy, improves flexibility and strength in your muscles, improves your blood pressure and blood circulation, gives you energy, helps you maintain a healthy weight, can prevent injuries or alleviate chronic pain, and can even make you have a better night's sleep.
Exercise can even help you when you have your period.
Other Search Results
4 Websites and iPhone Apps For Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle
There's a small army of female-friendly iPhone apps available on iTunes that will help you calculate your due date, track baby's kicks or even track contractions. Of course, before you start worrying about any of those things you need to track your menstrual cycle and conceive. Here are some of the best websites and applications that will allow you to follow your body's cycle without writing cryptic notes in your pocketbook.
Your Menstrual Cycle: What the Heck is Going on?
Let's talk about your menstrual cycle. Fun topic, huh? Every woman should know what's going on inside her body every month, because it'll help you understand your physical and emotional self a little bit better.
The Menstrual Cycle
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M The Menstrual Cycle Review Date: 3/2/2007 Reviewed By: Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
More on TresSugar
Fall Award Season
Top Brands
Azzaro
Vanessa Bruno
Fly London