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Tips on Charting an Irregular Period

When periods are irregular, changing in length or occurrence from one month to the next, chart your cycle instead of relying on your memory to recall when you last had a period. Also chart symptoms you experience throughout the month and when you think you ovulate. Charting your periods is a useful tool when trying to conceive and can also help your doctor better understand your cycle and pinpoint any problems with it.

  1. Record Your Cycle on a Calendar

    • Keep a diary that you use specifically for charting your menstrual cycle, suggests Always Info. Mark when your period starts; this is also the first day of your next cycle. Whether it's 25 days or 35 days until your next period, make sure to note when it starts, and do this every month. The diary will show how long your cycles are and if there are any patterns that you can report to your doctor.

    Track Each Period

    • Not only should you note the dates of your menstrual cycle and the date that your period arrives, but you should also record how long your period lasts and what the flow is like. For example, note whether you bleed heavily only for the first two days of your period, if you bleed heavily throughout or if you only bleed very lightly. You should also note any variations in the color of your flow and if it contains clots, says Always Info.

    Take Basal Body Temperature Throughout the Month

    • Your body's internal temperature fluctuates during your cycle, rising by one or two degrees immediately after ovulation (when the ovary releases an egg for fertilization). Your temperature will remain elevated for a few days before returning to normal unless you are pregnant, in which case it will remain elevated. Ovulation usually takes place in the middle of your cycle. Use a digital thermometer to take your temperature each morning immediately after you wake up and record the results so you can detect if and when it fluctuates throughout the month.

    Note Any Other Symptoms

    • If you have irregular periods, also note any other relevant symptoms. This can give you a better idea of how your cycle functions and if there are any underlying problems. For example, cramping and/or spotting that does not directly precede a period could indicate that something is causing the irregularity in your cycles such as a hormonal imbalance, pregnancy or changes in your lifestyle such as extreme weight loss or gain, according to NHS Choices. Report any symptoms to your doctor.

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