A surprising reason why you should track your periods
Tracking your periods is important for monitoring your health. You'll know when you're late, are more susceptible to pain and be more in tune with your body
Medical experts say that on days 23 through 28 of your menstrual cycle (day one is the first day of your period), painful procedures will hurt more. That's when endorphins—natural feel-good chemicals that dampen pain—are at their lowest level. Variations in women's estrogen levels, such as those that occur in the menstrual cycle, regulate the brain's ability to suppress pain, says Jon-Kar Zubieta, a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan.
So consider making your dental or waxing appointments for when you're ovulating—days 13 through 15. That's when estrogen levels, and your body's painkiller system, both peak.
This article was originally titled "Track your periods" in the October 2010 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience–and never miss an issue!
Best Health Magazine, October 2010
...mine are always late and or miss a few months - my doctor says its normal, the cramps are very medium... just wanted to say this...
I am not on the pill and i have regular periods every 28 day exactly, so I dont know what you are saying woman. lol
It may be true that we do not ovulate on day 14 but I'm like clockwork. It appears by the way my body produces vaginal fluids that I am pretty consitent. I have a 28 day cycle and can tell you almost always to the day I will get my period. But I have been watching my body for a while and recognize the signs that I give off. Unlike my mother who got her period every 6 months. I am glad I am regular.
regardless of the length of your cycle, ovulation occurs 14 days after the first day of your period. for the record, mine is consistant at 26-29 days and I am approaching my mid-30s.
I hate the 28 day assumption. Mine are far longer and every woman is different.
errm Sara I do, my cycle runs every 28-30 days and always has done, just because your's doesn't don't assume it is all nonsense!
seriously ladies. Clock. Work. Every 26 days.
umm.. i am actually very regular, and i cycle every 21 days.. just sayin.. its a bit of a pain, and i've complained about it often, but i know it has its blessing too..
Wow Sara you are way off track. My period actually was every 28 days and I had fibroids and wasn't on the pill. I think if you actually read the article and further the research on your own(as clearly it is not that helpful). Basically woman should monitor their periods, they should understand their bodies, watch for heavier flows and really throughout your thirties the flow will fluctuate. It's not normal to have really heavy periods and most women just figure that it is.
I track my period on a calendar. I am 28-30 days.
This would be easy enough to do.
Are you serious? How many people actually have their cycle every 28 days? I can see if you are on the pill it would be regular but off the pill I highly doubt many women cycle every 28 days. I think you need to go back to the dawing board on this one as women do NOT ovulate around day 14 as was taught 20+ years ago in school. Women ovulate ANY time of the month. I was told this was new research 7 years ago.