A menstrual cycle - what is worth to observe?
Menstrual cycle - what is worth tracking in OvuFriend?
- Changes in cervical mucus - the mucus you can see every day on your underwear is a very important fertility indicator that is worth observing. It is very simple and, in correlation with other symptoms, tells a lot about a woman's current fertility. The menstrual cycle is divided into phases and in each phase cervical mucus has a different appearance, quantity and consistency.
- The symptoms that you experience during your cycle, such as menstrual pain, sensitive breasts, sleep problems or increased libido. The menstrual cycle and what you feel during your menstrual cycle is evidence of natural hormonal changes that occur in your body.
- Mood - they are related to hormones and phase of your menstrual cycle, so they can quite well help OvuFriend algorithms to determine your fertile days and cycle phase.
- Morning body temperature - the temperature measured in the morning, at the same time, just after waking up, can help to determine the date of ovulation. This is because the body temperature reflects the level of hormones in our body. Before ovulation is lower (estrogen action) and after ovulation the temperature level is higher (progesterone starts to work). The characteristic temperature surge occurs after ovulation and then the graph shows the typical biphasic temperature - lower before ovulation, higher after ovulation. This can confirm ovulation and indicate the exact day of ovulation.
- Ovulation tests
- The medication you take
- Optionally you can also check the position of the cervix (not every woman feels comfortable to do this).
Menstrual cycle - what and how to log in OvuFriend application?
- Start by saving the date of your last menstruation. The system will probably ask you to do this already at registration. The first day of your menstruation will be your first day of the cycle. It is worth noting every spotting or bleeding observed, as well as its intensity. The length and intensity of your menstruation is an important analysis parameter.
- Check the cervical mucus you see on your underwear regularly, ideally few times a day, preferably at different times of the day (morning, noon and evening). Always record the most fertile cervical mucus observed on a given day. In OvuFriend you can choose between 5 types of mucus. Checking the mucus is very easy and only takes a moment, e.g. during a visit to the toilet. Write down your symptoms, mood and medication you are taking. All this has a major impact on your menstrual cycle and the changes that occur in it.
- If you measure your morning basal body temperature to determine ovulation, measure it every day at the same time before getting out of bed. Record it to two decimal places and remember the time of measurement (with a half-hour approximation). Make sure you know how to measure temperature. For ease of use, in OvuFriend you can remember your fixed time of measurement by checking "Set as default time". Remember, however, that if one day you measure the temperature at a different time, you have to choose this time of measurement from the list.
- Optionally you can also check the cervix, its height, hardness and opening level. If you are not able to recognize all three parameters, enter only those you can. For example, if you can easily sense that the cervix is low and you cannot tell if it is open or closed, just enter its position.