How much do you pay attention to your period?
Do you know what day of your menstrual cycle you are on today?
Do you currently track your cycle, and to what degree?
Do you know why tracking your entire cycle is important?
These are all amazing questions to be asking yourself as a woman or person who menstruates. We grew up in a world that made periods embarrassing and gross, and if you're here reading my blog, that means you are on a path of getting to know your body and want to have better periods! Hooray!
Let's dive into these questions and get you equipped with awesome information about your menstrual cycle-tracking habits!
Then Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign
While I was in nursing school, one of the first things we learned about patient care was how to take Vital Signs. This means, taking blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate. These “vital signs” give your healthcare providers a quick snapshot of the state of your health right this moment. It tells us how urgently the problem needs to be addressed, and where to start looking for the issue.
Did you know that if you have a uterus, you have a fifth vital sign? That's right! Your fifth vital sign is your menstrual cycle. And I'm not just talking about your period, which is important, but it's not the whole picture. I'm talking about how you feel throughout the entire month, including your flow.
Your entire menstrual cycle is the window to your health!
In all honesty, using menstrual cycles as a vital sign has NOT been the priority with the current allopathic ideology (Western medicine practice of symptom management with prescriptions or surgery). Symptoms get overlooked or dismissed as “normal” and problems aren’t taken seriously until they are BIG PROBLEMS. At that point, it’s damage control, and this way of approaching women’s/AFAB individual’s health is hurting US most of all. People are having hysterectomies, ablations, tubal ligations for reasons other than birth control, exploratory surgery, prolonged “management” of symptoms with synthetic hormones… all damage control tactics to try to “fix” issues that often have root causes left untreated.
While I believe we need an overhaul in our healthcare approach to our reproductive well-being, I feel that the more we make our health a priority, the more we will be informed and can advocate for ourselves. This is about taking our power and personal agency back. #bodyliteracy
Why is it Important to Track My Cycle?
Your cycle is so much more than your period. Speak to anyone who has started down the cycle tracking/cycle syncing path, and you'll hear stories of how much getting to know their whole cycle has helped them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Here are 5 reasons why it's important to learn about your menstrual cycle and to track it.
Health. Your cycle provides LOADS of information and is often one of the first indicators if something is out of whack in your body. As a healthcare provider, cycle priestess, and menstrual educator, I must emphasize how important it is for you to get to know your body and cycle. The more you know about your body, what’s normal for you, and what is NOT normal for you, the more you can advocate for your health and the care you receive. #selfadvocacy
Know Yourself Better. When you get to know your cycle, you start to understand the different facets of you as you go through each phase of the entire month. Just like the seasons, your inner and outer expressions change with the rising and falling hormones. Cycle tracking allows you to know what season you are in, so you can show up prepared for your life! We check the weather apps every day to see if we need a coat or an umbrella, but we aren't taught the importance of checking our inner seasons to see what self-care we need to feel our best.
Positive Body Image. When you get to know your cycle, something magical happens. You start to really appreciate all the amazing things your body does for you. In a culture where we are told our bodies are wrong all the time, it's an act of rebellion to actually LOVE our bodies. Menstrual Cycle Awareness (as coined by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer in Wild Power) is one path to self-love and appreciation.
Spiritual Practice. Your cycle has an inherent sacred quality to it, and by getting to know your unique cyclical expression, you deepen your connection to the magic of creation. It may not be your intent when you first start cycle tracking, but the deeper you go into the Feminine Mysteries of the Cycle, the closer you come to seeing the genius of nature, creation, and the cosmos.
Take Back Your Reproductive Power. A higher level of cycle tracking known as the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) allows you to choose when the time is right for you to conceive a child. Hormonal Birth Control is not the only effective contraceptive, and HBC certainly comes with more risks than doctors like to talk about (for more about HBC and FAM, check out Lisa Hendrickson-Jack's book The Fifth Vital Sign).
What are the different levels of Cycle Tracking and Syncing?
There are 5 different levels of cycle tracking. Whenever you are embarking on a journey, it's important to know where you are starting from, so you can get the right tools and resources to help support you along the way.
Read through the descriptions of each level, and decide where you are today. Leave the shame out of it though! It's ok if you are a beginner to cycle tracking, or if you don't even track at all right now. Everyone who cycle tracks and syncs was a beginner at some point.
Level 0: No Tracker. This is where you are if you do not track your cycle at all. There could be lots of reasons, perhaps you follow a pill pack so you know when you will be bleeding, you know about when your cycle is coming but don't really write it down, or maybe you don’t know how to track your cycle.
Level 1: Period Tracker. This is the most basic level of cycle tracking. It is simply marking down the start of your period each month in a calendar or app.
Level 2: Cycle Tracker. This type of tracking is a little more involved throughout the whole month, noting emotional and energy fluctuations, physical symptoms, and focus or connection to others. At this level, you may start to uncover the deeper creative and spiritual qualities of your cycle and connection to the other rhythms of the earth.
Level 3: Cycle Mapper. This is an advanced level of cycle tracking that includes the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) used for health or birth control, in addition to Level 2 tracking. You have spent many months or years getting to know the unique qualities of your cycle, and you feel confident in your relationship with your body and her functions.
Level 4: Cycle Syncer. This is the highest level of cycle tracking and living. Your menstrual cycle becomes the epicenter of your life, and you schedule and plan your activities and habits around the strengths and challenges you face throughout your entire cycle. It has varying degrees of daily and monthly routines that are planned and support your natural cyclical rhythms. This may include your fitness and nutrition, business, relationship, parenting, self-care, spiritual practices, and social life.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Cycle Tracking?
Since there are different levels of Cycle Tracking, there are pros and cons to living at each level. Finding the right level for you will help you along your wellness journey AND will give you the information you need to advocate for yourself. Let’s talk about those different levels now!
Level 0: No tracking
If you are currently at Level 0 of Cycle Tracking, I’m glad you’re here reading my blog Friend! I encourage you to keep reading about the different levels of tracking to see if this is something you would like to do or learn about.
Pros:
Requires zero investment in time or thought to your cycle, which can mean more time for other things.
Cons:
You won’t have any data to know if something is going on with your cycle as a vital sign of your health.
It will be hard to tell your doctor when your last menstrual cycle was or to know if your periods are regular or not.
Could miss an early detection of pregnancy
You could find yourself away from home without menstrual products when you start your period
It can create a separation from a relationship with your body, contributing to low self-esteem and lack of confidence
Level 1: Period tracking
Most women and menstruators in the modern age live at this level. Periods generally have been viewed as an interruption to the normal flow of life, so at least knowing when it's coming can help give us some basic information.
Pros:
It helps you know if your cycles become erratic or irregular, and you can tell your healthcare provider if something seems off
It gives you a rough estimate of when to expect your period for planning purposes (like having menstrual products for a weekend away, etc.)
It’s a great place to start if you’ve never had experience tracking your cycle
It doesn’t take much effort or commitment to track
Cons:
It doesn’t give much information about your hormones or energy levels throughout the month
You miss out on the relationship part of getting to know yourself and your body more
It may be telling your subconscious that your whole cycle is an afterthought and something that happens to you
If you are in Level 0 or 1 Cycle Tracking, make sure to check out my free Facebook group Red Tent Society for menstrual basics!
Level 2: Cycle Tracking
Tracking your entire cycle really levels up your body literacy and knowledge. Now, you get a sense of how your energy moves throughout the month, and it gives you power back!
Pros:
You get a clearer picture of your health by tracking your energy levels in addition to cycle lengths, which can let your doctor know if you’re experiencing symptoms that need to be addressed (like fatigue, severe mood swings, depression, severe PMS, heavy bleeding, etc.)
You start to understand how your energy moves through your whole cycle, which helps you plan your life better!
It can help repair body shame and negative views of your body
You start to build a trusting relationship with your natural flow, allowing more space for acceptance and appreciation.
It is less time commitment than Level 3
You connect with a deeper sense of Self and the Divine
Cons:
It requires a mindset shift from the Level 1 Period Tracking, which can be challenging without coaching or support/accountability
It takes time to get to know and understand patterns (3 cycles minimum, but really patterns and connections start emerging at 6 cycles)
It can bring up feelings of guilt, shame, abandonment, rage, disappointment, and frustration, especially if you’ve spent a long time with negative feelings toward your body or have experienced abuse or assault.
Note: This may not be a Con if you are on a journey of Self Healing and Growth. Addressing these shadows is a part of the growth path. If you begin tracking your cycle at this level, these shadows will likely come up. You may need external support from a cycle coach or therapist if these feelings overtake or consume your life once they surface. Because they WILL surface… trust me on this Sister.
It is significantly more involved than Level 1. It takes daily devotion and commitment to track your cycle every day, and you have to develop self-awareness and connection to your body that you may have never done before.
You may need more than just a period app to track this detail. I like to use Cycles Journal, which you can check out HERE.
Level 3: Whole Cycle Mapping
This is an advanced level of cycle tracking that includes the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) used for health or birth control, in addition to Level 2 tracking. Cycle Mapping is a significant deepening of the relationship with your body, and it takes several months or even years, to develop at this level.
Pros:
You get an in-depth look at your hormones and how they interact throughout the month. Tracking your basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus changes, LH tests, and/or cervical position helps you understand when you are in your cycle. This gives you the most comprehensive look at your cycle for health purposes.
The FAM birth control method is a 98% effective method (if used correctly) to prevent pregnancy, all without hormones.
You build a significant level of confidence in your body as you develop the skill of cycle mapping.
You become a super advocate for your health because you know your body and when something is off.
Cons:
A significant time and activity commitment that requires major mindset shifts from Level 1 or Level 0.
Learning the FAM and using it for birth control may require a course or coaching from a certified FAM instructor… Nurse Kori Tip: I HIGHLY recommend if you are going to use FAM as your primary birth control that you get training from a certified FAM educator. You can find a list of accredited FAM educators HERE.
You may not have the space to commit to this level of cycle tracking. Only you know what’s best for you at this stage of your life!
Level 4: Cycle Syncing
Not only are you intimately familiar with your Unique Menstrual Map, you use it to guide you through your entire life. I love to call this "Next Level Shit" because it literally unlocks a whole other level of self-love, life satisfaction, joy, and vibrancy.
Pros:
You have the confidence to plan your schedule and activities around your cycle, living in flow with your natural cycle rather than fighting it… which means less burn out, more energy, and a loving, positive outlook on your body.
Your relationships feel more harmonious
You thrive in business or work
Your health improves, and you develop a deep connection to your nutrition, movement, and self-care routines
You have the info you need to build in rest periods and times of expansion
You have the tools you need to overcome challenges and the confidence to know that you show up for yourself
You have a living, breathing relationship with your Whole Self - Body, Mind, and Soul.
Cons:
There is a SIGNIFICANT learning curve and requires self-education and experiments.
It can take years to fully Cycle Sync your life. That being said, giving yourself the grace and space to learn and incorporate one routine at a time can help improve your life by leaps and bounds!
It requires personal growth and the ability to change, and not everyone wants to grow or change their routines and habits.
It takes some experimentation. What works for one person may not work for you, so you have to be willing to try different routines and self-care practices and find what works for you.
It takes discipline and a desire for self-improvement.
Conclusion
Whether you are just beginning your Cycle Tracking journey, or have been cycle-syncing for years, I truly believe learning about your unique cycle is one of the greatest gifts you can bring to your life. You deserve to love your body, trust your inner guidance, and live a life full of love and vitality.
If you are at a Level 0 or 1 Cycle Tracking, I'm so proud of you for taking the time to read this post. I encourage you to join my Cycle Tribe Newsletter for weekly cycle insights. Also, pick up a book or two on cyclical health and cycle syncing. My favorites are The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, Code Red by Lisa Lister, and In the FLO by Alisa Vitti.
If you're ready to level up your Cycle Tracking to Level 2 and beyond and need guidance on where to start, schedule a free Cycle Wellness Consultation with me. I'd be honored to help you discover a path to better health and more vitality through cycle tracking and mindfulness.
You are SO worthy of a Vibrant Life, Sister!
💋Kori Rae
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