Hey Friend! Guess what? There is NOT one version of a healthy menstrual cycle! No, it doesn’t have to be 28 days in length AND it doesn’t have to be the exact same from month to month.
Say WHAT? Yep, there’s a range of normal.
Here are the deets you’ve been waiting for…
My cycle is 32 days long from day 1 of one cycle to the last day before my next cycle. Is that normal?
Yep! Anywhere from 25-35 days is normal. AND each month can be slightly different and that’s okay.
How long should I bleed?
Well, somewhere between 3-7 days with none or 1 day of spotting on either end. Some experts say 4-6 total days is ideal, but let’s not complicate things.
What if I get cramps and pain with my period?
A little bit of period pain is okay, but if you’re having to throw back ibuprofen every month, this is NOT normal and you should check in with your doctor. By a little bit, I mean you might feel some heaviness in your lower belly, thighs, or yoni on the first or second day of your period but it’s not keeping you from doing ANYTHING.
I bleed through a super tampon and pad every hour!
Nope, not normal. Your flow might be heavier on days 1-2, maybe 3, but should never be a Mount St. Helens gusher. If you’re bleeding through all of this protection in an hour or less for more than a few hours get that checked out, and while you’re at it, ask if you’re anemic.
I barely bleed at all!
There are some norms when it comes to minimum bleeding. Here’s when you should start asking questions…
- if all the sudden your period changes and goes from filling 3 reg tampons a day to barely filling 1
- if you’re trying to conceive scant bleeding doesn’t mean you can’t but it’s something to check into
Otherwise, this could be totally normal for you!
Sometimes I feel like I’ve peed my pants a little but it’s not urine. What the hell is that?
That’s cervical fluid, sometimes referred to as cervical mucus (or white flow for a more P.C. version). Good news, it’s totally normal and super good for fertility. Wet cervical fluid should start to show up about 5 days before ovulation. And, YES, sometimes it feels like you’ve peed your pants a little, but you likely haven’t. 🙂
Cervical fluid changes throughout the month. Here’s the cliff notes version…
- a few dry days after your period
- about 5 days before ovulation you’ll notice a watery discharge that becomes stretchy about a day before ovulation
- after ovulation cervical fluid becomes thicker and more white (you might notice a dried, white, chalky patch on your underwear)
- maybe a few dry days again before your period starts
Head to see your doc if you ever notice these changes to your cervical fluid:
- color: green
- consistency: frothy, creamy
- smell: fishy, pungent
- or if you have vaginal irritation, pain, or itching
These are signs that something else could be going on.
When do I ovulate?
The short answer is, I don’t know? It’s different for everyone. Depending on the length of your total cycle your egg might pop out of your ovary sometime between cycle days 11 and 21. If you’re super curious about ovulation and how to detect it, check out my blog post here.
You should get a clear peak in LH (luteinizing hormone) if you’re tracking with an ovulation predictor kit (OPK). If this seems like a foreign language to you, that blog post I mentioned is 100% for you!
But know that ovulation DOES NOT, I repeat does not happen magically on cycle day 14 for everyone and honestly, it doesn’t need to.
How many days should there be after I ovulate before I get my next period?
Let’s stick with 12 to 14 days for your luteal phase (the 2nd half of your cycle). If it’s less and you’re trying to conceive it may be difficult for your golden, fertilized egg to have enough time to implant. There are a few things to check out if this is regularly occurring. If that’s the case, be in touch with your doctor.
You Don’t Have To Do This Alone!
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant or struggling with fertility, consider working with a holistically-minded provider who can offer a thorough assessment of your whole health and provide personalized therapeutic options. You don’t have to do this alone! 🙂
I always hope that my posts are supportive of your journey. There are additional resources and references below. Leave me a comment, check back often, and reach out if you need a partner in this process! Thanks so much for reading.
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