The Menstrual Cycle: Period and Ovulation Cycle

The Menstrual Cycle: Period and ovulation cycle The Menstrual Cycle: Period and ovulation cycle

What is the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is the process of ovulation and menstruation in women, so when you are the most fertile and likely to get pregnant and when you will be on your period.

How long is a menstrual cycle?

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days in length however this can vary from 21 to 40 days. You may find that you have a longer or shorter menstrual cycle than the average woman. It’s a good idea to create a menstrual cycle calendar or mark down when you get your period. This way you can track your cycle and find out when you are most fertile and when your period is due. This will also help you determine whether your period is ever late or if you have missed one.

How do you count your menstrual cycle?

Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day that you have regular bleeding, spotting or breakthrough bleeding does not indicate the first day of your menstrual cycle. Marking the days of your period on a calendar is a great way to track the cycle of your period and then from this you can work out your ovulation cycle.

For example cycle day 1 is the first day of your period and cycle day 2 is the second day of your period and so on. You’ll need to count the days all the way up until your next period, as your period is only a part of your menstrual cycle and not the cycle itself.

What are the stages of the menstrual cycle?









The length of an average menstrual cycle is 28 days this is the same number of days as the moon’s cycles. If you are synced up with the moon then you will menstruate around the new moon and ovulate around a full moon, however many women do not have a cycle of 28 days and so will not follow the moon’s cycle.

If you have a regular menstrual cycle, ovulation will take place around 10-16 days before your period starts. There are a few indications that your body produces which you can use to tell if you are ovulation, find out more in our ovulation article.

Tracking your menstrual cycle will allow you to work out when your period is due, to do this you will need to know:

  • when your last period started
  • how many days your periods last for
  • how long your menstrual cycle normally is

Read our article to find out when your period is due.