Length of Your Menstrual Cycle
A woman's menstrual cycle affects her ability to become pregnant; determining the length of your menstrual cycle is, therefore, a useful strategy in family planning to figure out when pregnancy is most likely to happen and when it is not. The menstrual cycle is divided into two phases, one of ovarian change and the other of uterine change. Though the average length of an entire cycle is 29 days, variation (anywhere from 20 to 40 days) is normal.
Instructions
Counting the Length of Your Cycle
1. Mark the calendar on the first day of menstruation. The menstrual cycle is the number of days from the first day of a woman's period to the first day of her next. You cannot determine the length of the menstrual cycle until the next consecutive cycle begins.
2. Mark the calendar again on the first day of menstruation in the following month. You will now have a basis to begin determining how long your menstrual cycle is. If you miss recording the first day of menstruation between two consecutive months, you will need to start over.
3. Count the days between each first day of menstruation. The resulting number is the length of your menstrual cycle.
4. Create an average. Continue marking the calendar when your period begins each month. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to obtain an average over 6 to 9 months. Note any variations in the menstrual cycle.
5. Repeat the counting process when necessary. The length of a woman's menstrual cycle can change based on many factors. When you need an accurate number, start from scratch for the best results.
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