Understanding your menstrual cycle is a vital aspect of maintaining period health. This involves tracking the number of days between each period, the duration of bleeding, the volume of blood lost, the nature of cervical fluid, and any pain experienced.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement in December 2015, titled “Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign.” This statement emphasized the importance of recognizing abnormal menstrual patterns in adolescence for early identification of potential health concerns in adulthood.

A healthy menstrual cycle consists of three main phases: the follicular phase, which can last anywhere from 7 to 21 days, ovulation, which lasts one day, and the luteal phase, which lasts 10 to 16 days. This adds up to a normal menstrual cycle of 21 to 35 days for adults and 21 to 45 days for teenagers.

The menstrual fluid is not entirely blood; it also contains cervical mucus, vaginal secretions, and bits of the uterine lining (endometrial tissue). The menstrual fluid should be mostly liquid, with no large clots. The color of the menstrual fluid can range from red to brown.

The volume of menstrual fluid lost should be about 50 mL over the days of the period. Less than 25 mL is considered scanty flow, while more than 80 mL is considered heavy flow.

Understanding and tracking these aspects of the menstrual cycle can provide valuable insights into overall health and help identify any potential issues early on.