Your menstrual cycle can tell you a lot about your overall health, even beyond fertility. In fact, many healthcare professionals believe your cycle should be considered a vital sign—just like your heart rate or blood pressure—because it offers such a clear window into how your body is functioning.
If you're thinking about tracking your cycle (or already are), here are five key things worth paying attention to:
Cycle length and cycle regularity
Period length
Physical symptoms that occur with or around your period
Mood changes during your cycle
Spotting in between periods
Each of these aspects of your cycle can tell you (and your doctor) a bit about your body as a whole, your reproductive health, and if there is anything abnormal going on that may require further investigation.
Cycle Length and Regularity
As you begin to track your first few periods, you may start to see a trend in the number of days between the first day of one period and the first day of the next. This measurement is known as your cycle length. You may have heard that 28 days is the length of a normal menstrual cycle, but in reality, 28 days is the average cycle length. In fact, menstrual cycles are considered normal if they fall between 21 and 35 days.
Sometimes the terms menstrual cycle, cycle, and period are used interchangeably, which can get a bit confusing. Your menstrual cycle is the roughly month-long process of hormonal shifts, accompanied by uterine lining thickening, follicle growth, and ovulation. On the other hand, your period itself makes up a small part of the menstrual cycle called the “menstrual phase.” Typically, a period will last between 3 and 7 days.
Another thing tracking your cycles over time will tell you is whether your cycles are regular and predictable. This means that based on your past cycles, you know when to expect your next period and that your periods are between 21-35 days apart. Regular periods typically indicate that your hormones are functioning normally and you are *most likely* ovulating each cycle. If you have irregular cycles, your doctor will likely want to investigate further to determine the cause, through bloodwork or an ultrasound.
Characteristics of Your Period
Most people report that their periods last between 3 and 7 days, but periods don’t have to be the same length every month to be considered normal. It’s also normal for the heaviness of your flow to vary from month to month. Changes in your flow can be related to birth control or other medications, hormonal fluctuations, or conditions like perimenopause or fibroids. The more details you track, the more helpful the info becomes for both you and your provider.
Physical Symptoms
If you experience physical symptoms in relation to your period, it’s helpful to record those too. Severe cramping, migraines, and even bowel or bladder changes can indicate something may be going on medically. For example, severe pain during your period may be linked to endometriosis, adenomyosis, or uterine fibroids. Documenting how you are feeling can help your doctor hone in on the cause and determine the best interventions for you.
Mood Changes
It’s incredibly common to feel more emotional, anxious, or irritable before or during your period. For some, these feelings are mild and manageable and known as PMS or premenstrual syndrome, but for others, they can be intense and disruptive.
If you find yourself dealing with big mood swings that affect your work, relationships, or daily life, you may be experiencing something called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)—a more severe form of PMS. If you suffer from PMDD, know you’re not alone, and it’s absolutely worth bringing up with your doctor. You and your doctor can work together to determine which treatment options might work best for you.
Spotting in Between Periods
Spotting outside of your period might feel concerning—but it’s not always a red flag. Some people notice light spotting around ovulation or while using certain birth control methods. It can also happen during early pregnancy (known as implantation bleeding).
That said, spotting that occurs unpredictably or frequently could be a sign of something more, like hormonal imbalances, fibroids, or even infections. Keeping track of when it happens—and how often—can help your provider determine what’s going on
Why Tracking Your Period Matters
Tracking your cycle uncovers patterns that help you know when to expect your next period, how long it will last, how heavy it will be, and how you can expect to feel. Those patterns also help paint a bigger picture of your health.
For your doctor, that information can guide testing, lead to a diagnosis, or even help decide which treatments might work best. And for you? It can bring some much-needed clarity, confidence, and even comfort during each phase of your cycle.
Cycle Tracking in the Berry App
The Berry app makes cycle tracking super simple. You can log when your period starts, note how heavy your flow is, and track any symptoms you’re experiencing. Over time, you will gain valuable insights about your cycle that tell you and your doctor a lot about your body. To get started with cycle tracking, just tap the + in the bottom right corner of the app and add your period. That’s it!