Menstrual Portal is here to help you predict your ovulation, fertile window, and period dates. It even alarms you if your period is delayed. This can give you more power and clarity over your menstrual cycle and address any problem as early as possible. Let’s demystify periods and embrace the power of understanding our bodies!
Please remember that this is only an estimation of your menstrual cycle.
Period tracking with Menstrual Portal
Keeping track of your periods has never been easy. The period tracker at Menstrual Portal predicts precise ovulation, fertile window, and period dates. It is very helpful if you are attempting to conceive, schedule your activities around your cycle, or just want to understand your body better.
Ovulation date
Our period tracker determines the approximate date when ovulation occurs. Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary and is a crucial time for conception. This occurs at the midpoint of the normal menstrual cycle. So for an average 28-day cycle, the ovulation date is approximately the 14th day.
Period dates
Our period tracker predicts precise period dates. Periods or menstrual bleeding occurs when there is no fertilization, so the uterine lining begins to shed off. Periods last from 2 to 7 days normally. This information is valuable for tracking the length of the menstrual cycle and planning activities around these dates.
Fertile window
Our Period tracking tool identifies the fertile window, that is the interval during which a female is likely to get pregnant, and is very important for women who are planning to conceive. The fertile window includes 6 days in total including ovulation day, and 5 days prior to ovulation.
Delayed period
Our period tracker also brings delayed periods to your notice that can help you manage your menstrual health. Delayed periods can be due to various reasons such as stress, intense physical exercise, certain medications, PCOS, weight fluctuations, etc. At Menstrual Portal you can also get free online consultation to identify your cause for a delayed period.
Predict dates for 6 months
Our period tracker also gives you estimated starting and ending dates of periods for up to 6 months. This helps females plan their upcoming ventures around their period-free days.
Please remember that period tracker tools can provide valuable insights into your menstrual cycle. However, it’s important to understand that these tools are based on averages and regular menstrual cycles, and actual cycles can vary greatly from person to person and month to month. Various factors can affect the regularity of a cycle, which means that predicted dates are estimates and may not be precise.
The menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is a complex physiological process that a woman’s body goes through in preparation for a potential pregnancy. It starts at puberty, normally between the ages of 10 and 16 (known as menarche), and continues until the cessation of menstruation around the average age of 52 (menopause).
An average menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but it can range from 21 to 35 days. It involves the interplay of several hormones, primarily estrogen, and progesterone. These hormonal fluctuations not only regulate the menstrual cycle but also have significant impacts on a woman’s overall health. There are 4 phases of the menstrual cycle described below:
1. Menstruation
The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation, which typically lasts between 2 to 7 days. This phase marks the shedding of the uterine lining that was prepared in the previous cycle for a potential pregnancy. The shedding consists of blood, endometrial tissues, and mucus which is discharged from the vagina. At the same time, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels start to increase to prepare another egg for the next ovulation.
2. Follicular phase
This phase overlaps with menstruation and continues until ovulation. Triggered by the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH encourages the growth of several ovarian follicles, each containing an immature egg. Only one follicle fully matures, and the rest degenerate. Meanwhile, estrogen levels rise, promoting the thickening of the uterine lining (endometrium) in preparation for the implantation of a fertilized egg.
3. Ovulation
This phase typically occurs mid-cycle, when estrogen levels peak and trigger a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH). This LH surge prompts the mature follicle to release its egg into the fallopian tube, marking the start of the ovulation phase. The egg is viable for fertilization for about 12-24 hours. If it encounters sperm within this timeframe, fertilization can occur.
4. Luteal phase
This phase begins after ovulation and lasts until the start of menstruation. The ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which releases progesterone and some estrogen. These hormones maintain the thickened uterine lining and preparing it for implantation of fertilized egg.
If no fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum disintegrates, causing progesterone and estrogen levels to drop. This hormonal decrease leads to the shedding of the uterine lining, marking the start of menstruation and a new menstrual cycle.
What are the signs of your period coming?
The menstrual cycle is influenced by a complex interplay of hormones which can cause various physical and emotional changes. All the visible signs produced by hormones help in predicting the phase of the menstrual cycle going on. Understanding these hormonal fluctuations and their associated symptoms can help women anticipate and manage their menstrual cycles more effectively.
Menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps are caused when the uterus contracts forcefully to shed its lining. This contraction is mediated by prostaglandins, chemicals released during periods that help the uterus in shedding. When the uterus contracts, the blood supply is compromised, this stimulates pain receptors and results in mild to severe cramps.
Bleeding and spotting
Bleeding and spotting are common indicators of upcoming periods. Spotting refers to a small amount of blood discharge that’s usually lighter in color, resulting in minor staining. Spotting is due to a drop in estrogen levels just before periods. Light bleeding also occurs before the onset of full heavy menstrual bleeding. This light bleeding is light brownish in color and is a sign of arriving of periods.
Breast tenderness
Progesterone hormone levels rise during the luteal phase, the phase before menstruation. Progesterone causes breast tissue to become tender and swollen. Hormonal fluctuation that occurs just before periods causes water retention in breast tissue resulting in swollen tender and sore breasts. Breast pain and swelling may be mistaken for tumors, but tracking your periods and knowing the expected date of your period helps to eliminate this risk.
Bloating and water retention
A few days before menstruation, one might experience a sensation of abdominal swelling or persistent fullness. Bloating, one of the most common premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, occurs due to declining levels of progesterone and estrogen before the start of a period.
Mood changes
Hormonal changes, particularly a decrease in estrogen levels, can lower the brain’s serotonin levels, leading to mood alterations and irritability. Women may become easily annoyed, irritated, and anxious. Some become short-tempered and feel enhanced levels of anxiety and depression.
Headaches and migraines
The fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone influence blood vessels and neurotransmitter levels. A decrease in estrogen results in lower serotonin levels, which leads to dilation and subsequent constriction of blood vessels, which can cause menstrual headaches.
Furthermore, some women experience menstrual migraines due to these hormonal shifts before their periods. Those using hormonal birth control pills are particularly susceptible to such headaches.
Fatigue
Feeling lethargic or tired before periods is also linked somehow to serotonin levels. Decreased serotonin causes decreased energy levels producing laziness and tiredness. Eat nutritious food, stay hydrated, and have plenty of sleep to overcome fatigue before periods.
Acne breakouts
Increased levels of progesterone during the mid-luteal phase stimulate the production of a substance called sebum from skin glands. Progesterone also causes the skin to swell and this swelling results in compressing pores with sebum building up beneath the skin. Testosterone, male reproductive hormone, is also produced in females, it also increases sebum production.
Food cravings
Food cravings are definitely real before periods. There may be cravings for carbohydrates or salt-rich foods. All the changes in appetite before periods are due to levels of hormones that keep on fluctuating.
What are the signs of your ovulation coming?
Ovulation, the release of a matured egg from the ovary that occurs after the follicular phase is also anticipated by specific signs and symptoms and these are due to an increase in estrogen levels. These are indicators that you are about to ovulate, hence also help in determining the fertility window, great for those who are planning to conceive.
Cervical fluid
Following menstruation, cervical mucus typically becomes dry and sticky. However, as the body starts producing increased levels of estrogen before ovulation, the consistency and volume of cervical mucus change. While these changes can vary among women, the mucus commonly becomes watery, slippery, and stretchy, often resembling egg whites in color and consistency. These changes occur to facilitate the journey of sperm to fertilize the egg, which is due to be released during the upcoming ovulation phase.
Basal body temperature
Basal body temperature (BBT) is the body’s temperature at complete rest. Before ovulation, BBT remains stable and low, but it rises and stays elevated after ovulation due to the hormone progesterone. Therefore, tracking the rise in BBT can assist in determining the day of ovulation.
Cervical position or firmness
Due to hormonal fluctuations, the cervix undergoes changes in firmness and position throughout the menstrual cycle. Prior to ovulation, the cervix is often in a higher and open position, making it difficult to reach. Its consistency is also typically softer at this time. After ovulation, the cervix lowers, becoming easily reachable, and adopts a closed position. Additionally, its consistency becomes firmer.
Breast tenderness
This varies among women. Some females experience sore and tender breasts before ovulation while most of them have breast tenderness after ovulation or prior to periods. All of this is due to changing hormonal levels.
Abdominal bloating
Some individuals also experience changes in their digestive system before ovulation. The increased levels of estrogen, can lead to water retention in the body. Moreover, estrogen can slow down the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in bloating and gas.
Cramping or pain on one side of the pelvis
Mittelschmerz is a term for the pain that occurs before or during ovulation. Typically experienced on one side of the lower abdomen, it can switch sides between cycles. This pain arises from the irritation to the ovarian wall or abdominal lining caused by the release of an egg from the ovary. The intensity of mittelschmerz can range from mild to severe, and it may also be accompanied by light bleeding or spotting.
FAQ about our period tracker
How does our period tracker work?
To use our period tracker, you need to input the date of the onset of your last month’s period, the duration of your recent menstrual cycle, and the average length of your menstrual cycles. With this information, the tool can provide you with:
- An estimate of the start and end dates of your period
- Your estimated ovulation date
- Your estimated fertility window
- Information on whether your periods are delayed, along with a free online consultation option
How our period-tracking tool is different from others?
Our period tracking tool stands out from others due to its unique combination of advanced features and user-friendly design.
It provides information about a lot of things including ovulation and fertility window days that are great for those who are planning to conceive. Also, it helps in identifying delayed periods and offers free online consultation if you are suspecting any sort of problem or confusion.
Can our period tracker help in family planning?
Yes, it helps in family planning because it predicts the time of ovulation and also provides an estimation of the fertility window.
How much accurate is our period tracker tool?
Period tracker tools are fairly accurate in predicting the dates and fertility window according to data given by users. But it is not 100% accurate, as there are individual variations due to various factors including hormonal imbalance, medications, underlying diseases, and other personal differences.
Are there privacy and data security concerns while using our period tracking tool?
No, there are no privacy risks. We want to assure you that we do not collect any type of data while tracking your periods, your privacy is our utmost priority and we completely adhere to our data privacy policy.
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