A menstrual cycle - what is worth to observe?

What is the menstrual cycle? How to calculate it?

A menstrual cycle is a regular change that occurs in the female body under the influence of hormones. The average length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, but the normal cycles are considered to be between 21 and 35 days. The first day of the cycle is the first day of menstrual bleeding. The last day of the cycle is the day before the next menstrual period occurs.

The menstrual cycle is divided into 4 phases:

1. Menstruation - menstrual bleeding (decrease in the activity of hormones),

2. The follicular phase - oocyte maturation phase (increase in estrogen concentration - Graaf's follicle matures under the influence of hormones)

3. Ovulation - the estrogen level reaches its highest concentration - a rupture of the follicle occurs, from which an egg cell is released

4. The luteal phase - its length is usually constant and usually lasts from 10 to 16 days - during this phase the level of progesterone increases, the mucous tissue grows, which prepares itself to accept the embryo.

Menstrual cycle - what is worth tracking in OvuFriend?

A woman's menstrual cycle is affected by cyclical changes, which are caused primarily by the activity of hormones. In the OvuFriend application you can record your symptoms (you can choose from more than 80 symptoms!), mood, changes in cervical mucus, basal body temperature measurement, medications you are taking or results of ovulation tests.

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).

The more observations you enter every day, the better OvuFriend will be able to analyze your menstrual cycle and your fertility. The OvuFriend application will be able to learn about your fertility, determine your fertile days and ovulation, predict the date of your menstruation, increase your chances of getting pregnant or detect possible fertility problems at an early stage. Download the app from AppStore or Google Play and create a free account.

Menstrual cycle - what and how to log in OvuFriend application?

It is important that you try to complete the data in the OvuFriend application regularly and preferably throughout the whole menstrual cycle. How and when to enter data? Here are the most important rules:

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.

Remember, the more data you log every day, the better OvuFriend will be able to learn your fertility, analyze and interpret your menstrual cycle and your fertility.