All content within this page has been reviewed by
Dr David Nunns, Consultant Gynaecologist
Working out your period can seem like a suspenseful mystery – especially when you’re waiting for it to come. The anticipation of wondering when your period is going to come can seem unbearable. But it doesn’t need to be this way!
It’s important to be able to plan for your next period. Maybe you have an event you’re super excited about – a family vacation, a friend’s birthday party, or a school dance.
Or maybe you just want to minimize the anticipation of wondering when in the world it’s going to come. Either way, learning how to work out your period cycle is super helpful.
Figuring out how to work out your period cycle is super easy once you learn how!
How do you work out your period cycle?
The most important thing is to work out your menstrual cycle and how many days it lasts on average. (It’s totally normal for your cycle to be a day or two shorter or longer from month to month. That’s why we’re talking average cycle to get an estimated start date for your next period.)
However, generally speaking, you’ll start your period every 28 days. It’s totally okay if you get yours a little sooner or later than that each month. Anywhere between 21 to 35 days is normal.
In order to work out your menstrual cycle, mark when you get your period on a calendar. Do this for a few months. Then count how many days there are between each cycle. Start counting on the first day of your period and stop counting on the day before your next period. This is the number of days in one menstrual cycle. Do this for a few cycles. Add up the number of days and then divide them by the number of cycles. That will give you the average number of days in your menstrual cycle.
How to work out when your next period will come?
Now that you’ve worked out your menstrual cycle, you’re ready to figure out when your next period will come. Starting on the first day of your last period, just count out the average number of days in your menstrual cycle.
That will give you the projected start date of your next period. Voila! Now you know how to work out your period cycle.
If you’re not into doing all the maths, don’t worry! There are plenty of period tracker apps that will keep track of your period for you.
All you have to do is input when your period starts and ends for a few months and the app does the rest.
How can I prepare for my next period?
Knowing how to work out your period will help you prepare for your period with confidence. Here’s what to do. A few days before your period, wear Always Dailies pantyliners for extra protection and assurance that you won’t be caught off guard when your period starts. (Staining your knickers is never fun!)
How do you work out your menstrual cycle?
Once you’ve worked out your period cycle, you can also be sure to stock up on period supplies like Always Ultra pads.
They have a super absorbent core that turns liquid into gel, keeping your skin dry and comfortable and providing up to 100% leakage protection.
Combine this with your new knowledge of how to work out your period cycle, and you’re golden!
Comfort and effective protection from leakage during your period are fundamental for your confidence and well-being, especially if your periods tends to be heavier. Always Platinum period pads have all that you need and more: soft wings, zero feel system, an absorbent core and a top sheet made of a soft non-woven material with hundreds of micro-cushions. Try them out!