A010 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle Footer

A010 How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Knowing when you’re going to get your period is pretty helpful.
Maybe you’re planning a day at the beach. Maybe you have a sleepover with friends coming up. Or maybe you just want to know when to stash some extra [Always Ultra](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-ultra/always-ultra-normal-sanitary-pads/ "Always Ultra") in your bag, so you’re not caught off guard by your monthly flow. Knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle is easy and can give you a peace of mind. So, here’s how to do it.

A010 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Read the full article below 

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Calculate your cycle

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After this, if your egg is not fertilised, progesterone levels start to drop, signalling to your body to start breaking down the lining of your uterus, as it is no longer needed.
 

This is when you may start to experience symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
 
Read more [here](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/when-does-pms-start/ "About PMS") about PMS, what it is, and how to manage it.
 

Then, your body starts all over again with Day 1 of your menstrual cycle.
 
Check out the full range of Always period pads to find the right product and size for you and your flow. Always Ultra come in six sizes to ensure you feel secure and confident day and night, and during light or heavy flow.

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A007 When Is My Next Period Due?

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First Period Guide

PADS-Related Articles

Quick Reads

How to know when your next period is due

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A007 - T05 - How often should I get my period?

How often should I get my period?

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Find helpful resources about periods categorised into subtopics. Get informed with expert insights, navigate your period journey with confidence.

First Period & Puberty

Period Hub: Explore Period Articles by Category | Always UK

A typical [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/period-hub/menstrual-cycle/menstrual-cycle-phases/ "Menstrual cycle") is 28 days. This means that most people will get their period about every 28 days. In reality, that 28 number actually varies from girl to girl. A normal cycle can be anywhere between 21 and 35 days.

Period Hub - PH01 - First Period & Puberty

Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

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A010-T01-Calculate your menstrual cycle

Calculate your menstrual cycle

A010- Related Articles 

Period Hub - PH02 - SEO HEAD - Menstrual Cycle

Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle | Always UK

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How does SmartFoam differ from current super-absorbent materials?

In order to calculate your menstrual cycle, you’ll need to learn how to track your [cycle](/en-gb/period-tracker/ "Cycle"). Don’t worry. It’s pretty simple. All you need to do is mark down when your period started on a calendar for a few months in order to figure out how to count your period cycle days and to calculate the average length of your menstrual cycle.


How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

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Hormones interact together to regulate certain phases of the menstrual cycle. Understanding the different stages of the menstrual cycle is important to help you get familiar and recognise the changes your body is going through and how you may feel during each phase. It is during this cycle that the levels of oestrogen or progesterone rise or fall. So how do your hormones change during the menstrual cycle?

A049 The Hormones During Your Menstrual Cycle

Read the full article below

Period Hub - PH01 - ADP - First Period And Puberty - Related Articles 

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The menstrual cycle, otherwise known as the ovulatory cycle, can be defined as the systematic changes occurring in the body that are induced by the action of hormones, especially progesterone, oestrogen, follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinising hormone (LH).
 

These stimulate the reproductive organs to prepare for fertilisation e.g. an eventual pregnancy. In most cycles, ovulation occurs, which is the process by which one of the ovaries releases an egg. If the egg is not fertilised, the lining of the uterine cavity, called the endometrium, is shed and bleeding occurs. This is known as menstruation or a period. Hormones play a key role in this, and they can also affect your moods, emotions and appearance.

A049 - T01 - What is the menstrual cycle?

What is the menstrual cycle?

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Watch this video and get the answers to all the questions you have about your first period. (Girl Talk Episode 1)

Watch Your Menstrual Cycle & Periods - what you need to know in less than 3 minutes

Period Hub - Back to Period Hub page

When Will You Need It - NIGHT

Now that you know how to calculate your cycle, you may want to stock up on  Always Ultra pads before you think your period will start. They have an absorbent core that turns liquid into gel – and gel can’t leak – so you’ll feel confident and protected on your period. Stash some in your bag or locker so you’ll always be prepared.

A010 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle Description Content

A010-T03-Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

Menstrual Cycle

The frequency with which you change your sanitary pad depends on your particular flow. The heavier your flow, the more often you should change your sanitary towel to reduce the risk of leaking. The lighter your flow, the less often you may need to change your sanitary towel. It is recommended to change your sanitary towel every four to eight hours.

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During the first days of the cycle, known as menstruation, (days 1-5), hormone levels drop. The endometrium begins to be shed and leaves the body with the menstrual blood. The ovarian follicles begin to redevelop. The low levels of oestrogen and progesterone can also affect your mood.

In the next phase, known as the follicular phase, occurs around days 6-13 of the cycle. You may notice that any abdominal cramps or other discomforts disappear. The follicles of the ovary grow and they release increasing amounts of oestrogen.

Ovulation occurs around day 14 of the cycle. This is when the highest concentration of oestrogen occurs. 
Between days 15 and 20 of the cycle, known as the luteal phase, oestrogen levels are still high. When the ovarian follicle loses its egg, it turns into a mass of cells in your ovary known as the corpus luteum, which begins producing progesterone. If fertilisation does not occur, between days 21 and 28 of the cycle, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop.

A049 - T07 - SUB02 - Female hormone cycle chart

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A010-T02-How to count the days in your menstrual cycle 

How to count the days in your menstrual cycle 

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Are you wondering how your body knows when it’s ready for your period? Or why you may experience certain emotional or physical changes a week or so before you menstruate?
 

It’s all because of the [hormone changes](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/how-to-deal-with-puberty/ "Hormone changes") during your menstrual cycle. The first day of the menstrual cycle is also the first day of bleeding. The levels of the hormones - oestrogen and progesterone - are at a low level. This is when you usually feel sluggish, sleepy and tired. You may also experience abdominal pain or cramps, have poorer concentration and be more sensitive to pain. You may also notice that the skin is very prone to dryness and flaking and may be easier to be irritated.
 

Around the 10th day of the cycle, oestrogen levels increase. You may then feel more energy, strength and resilience. You may also become more sensitive to touch. This time is the best for your skin, its elasticity and hydration improve, and it can look more rested and radiant. Progesterone levels rise towards the end of the menstrual cycle, if fertilisation does not occur. The desire for intimacy decreases as oestrogen falls. Then a few days before menstruation you may feel swollen, irritable and sleepy. You may tire more quickly and get headaches, also changes in your mood can occur. At days 1-6 oestrogen is at a very low level. Progesterone levels are getting higher. Some women may develop premenstrual syndrome during this time.

A049 - T02 - What happens during your menstrual cycle and how hormones affect your body and mood?

What happens during your menstrual cycle and how hormones affect your body and mood?

Hands holding a smartphone showing a menstrual cycle calendar

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How can Infinity FlexProtect work with all these holes?

Make sure you use the size best adapted to your shape and flow. For additional leakage protection, try a higher size and consider changing your sanitary towel more frequently. Sanitary towels with wings provide a closer fit to you knickers that not only helps keep the pad in place but also keeps it closer to your body’s shape further reducing the risk of leakage. Check out our product recommender to find the best product for your need.

How do I avoid leaks?

Hormones are natural chemicals in your body that (among others) control your menstrual cycle. Click here to learn more about hormones and the menstrual cycle!

A049 The hormones during your menstrual cycle

The hormones during your menstrual cycle

Exercise or Chilling during periods?

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A007 - T02 - Calculate your average menstrual cycle length

Calculate your average menstrual cycle length

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Period Tracker

Track your period

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## Wondering when your next period is due?

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Period Hub - PH01 - First Period and Puberty -  Our most read Articles

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Now, figuring out when your next period will come is easy as pie. Starting on the first day of your last period, just count out the average number of days between your periods (aka your average cycle length that you calculated) and that gives you the projected start date of your next period.

Voila! Now you know how to calculate your [cycle](/en-gb/period-tracker/ "Cycle"). Calculating your period isn’t an exact science but knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle will give you a good approximation of when your period will come. 

Your period may not come regularly. In fact, when you first start menstruating, it’s totally normal for your period to be irregular. It may take up to a year or two for your body to get into a regular pattern so keep on tracking. 

Did all this make you a little cross-eyed? Don’t worry. You can read up more about this on always.com, so check online and use the period calendar on our website. Knowing how to calculate your__ menstrual cycle__ is a big help for being prepared and confident around your period.

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- Start by recording in your diary, or phone, the day your period started each month. Do this for a few months.
- Once you have a few months recorded, add up the number of days in each cycle (i.e. the number of days between the first day of one period and the day before your next period).
- Divide this number by the number of cycles.
- This gives you the average number of days in your menstrual cycle.

PH02 - Menstrual Cycle - Related Articles

Dr David Nunns

Article reviewed by

A007 - T04 - Is there a way to do this without all the maths?

Is there a way to do this without all the maths?

Period Hub - PH01 - First Period and Puberty - Related Products

Related Products

Caurosal Container - A010 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Always Night sanitary pads were especially designed for overnight protection and offer more coverage, no matter how much you toss and turn, while Normal (Size 1) and Long (Size 2) sanitary pads were designed for optimal daytime protection.

On __Day 14__ of a 28-day cycle (or 14 days before the next period), a peak in ovulation hormones makes the ovarian follicle release an egg, a process known as ovulation. The process is driven by a significant increase in oestrogen levels. This hormone stops the release of FSH and at the same time stimulates the release of the LH hormone. Right after ovulation starts, the empty follicle (where the egg was released) turns into something called the corpus luteum, a temporary collection of cells involved in the regulation of hormones levels. Thanks to the LH hormone, the corpus luteum starts making progesterone and continues producing oestrogen, just like the follicle did before.
 

This egg travels along the fallopian tube and can survive for up to 24 hours - during which time fertilisation can occur. If a sperm fertilizes the egg, a baby will start to develop.

A049 - T011 - Ovulation and post-ovulation (Day 14 - 24)

Ovulation and post-ovulation (Day 14 - 24)

PH00 - A015 How to Manage Period Pain and Cramps

Period pains and cramps

Image showing a calendar explaining how to calculate cycle length

Wish there were a way of figuring out when your next period is without all the counting and maths? Good news - The ALWAYS period calculator will do this for you. All you have to do is mark down when your period started and ended each month, and the calculator does the rest.

Knowing when __your period is due__ can help you better understand your changing emotions in the run up to your period.

The __hormonal changes__ that happen just before your period starts, can leave you feeling more emotional or lacking energy. But don’t panic, it just means that your period is around the corner.

A007 - T07 - Why should I care when my next period will be?

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A010 - How to calculate your menstrual cycle

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Knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle can give you a peace of mind. It's easy! Click here and we'll show you how to do it!

How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Read the full article below

01 Calculate your menstrual cycle

02 How to count the days in your menstrual cycle

03 Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

04 How to know when your next period is due

Period Tracker