Over the past decade, I’ve deeply explored women’s menstrual health to improve my own life as well as having had the privilege of working with many women to help them understand their cycles and hormones better.
Through my journey as a fertility awareness educator and herbalist, I’ve seen firsthand how complex and unique each woman’s body and cycle can be. Here are 10 things I’ve learned that I believe every woman should know:
1. Knowing Your Body Isn’t Always Enough to Identify Ovulation
Many women think they can just “feel” when they ovulate based on symptoms like lower abdominal pain or (a very basic understanding of) changes in cervical mucus. But the reality is that many factors, like stress, diet, and illness, can interfere with ovulation. While some signs may seem like ovulation is happening, they may not indicate a successful ovulation. This is why systematic tracking of evidence-based fertility signs is essential, it provides clarity about when ovulation actually occurs (or doesn’t), and confidence in knowing the difference.
In my own cycles as well as working with other women, I have seen time and time again when all the signs are there but ovulation doesn’t succeed. It’s very difficult to identify when this occurs if you’re not actually tracking according to evidence based guidelines.
2. Every Cycle Is Unique
Even if you’ve had regular cycles for years, don’t be surprised if they suddenly change, or if you have an off cycle with no clear explanation. Our cycles are influenced by a lot of things—stress, diet, lifestyle, and even age. I’ve seen women go through major shifts in their cycles unexpectedly, and that’s normal! It’s why it’s so important to listen to your body and track your fertility signs, so you can spot any changes early and take appropriate action.
A one-off cycle may be no problem but if you experience changes for more than at least 3 cycles out of a year then it’s always worth doing further investigation to look for a cause. Fertility charting according to evidence based practices can give us amazing clues as to what’s going on, and there are even doctors with training to evaluate your charts and use them as a diagnostic tool!
3. Postpartum Cycles Are Predictably Unpredictable
After giving birth, don’t expect your cycles to immediately return to “normal”. Postpartum cycles are unique to each woman and almost always come with a period of irregularity. Even if you were regular pre-birth, be prepared for things to look different for a while. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s especially likely that your period will be delayed for weeks or even months.
But, even though postpartum cycles can be unpredictable, charting your fertility signs postpartum can help you identify your first ovulation and return to fertility, as well as gaining insight into your reproductive health after giving birth.
Postpartum cycles can feel unpredictable, especially while breastfeeding. In my Breastfeeding & Your Period class, you’ll learn what’s normal for postpartum cycles, how to recognize when fertility is returning, and which natural family planning options work best while breastfeeding—including lactational amenorrhea and ecological breastfeeding. Join me to feel more confident and prepared for this season!
4. Perimenopause Starts Years Before Menopause
Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, can begin as early as your mid-30s or early 40s. The first symptoms can be quite subtle, and you might not notice them unless you’re actively charting your fertility signs. These early signs often include shortening cycles, earlier ovulation, lower quality cervical mucus, and lighter periods. By charting regularly during this phase, you can spot these changes early and better understand what’s happening with your body, giving you the insight to manage symptoms effectively. Perimenopause can begin 5 to 10 years before menopause, so early awareness is key!
5. Bleeding on Hormonal Birth Control is Not a Real Period
I’ve talked to many women who were confused about bleeding on hormonal birth control (HBC). Since HBC suppresses ovulation, the “period” that happens while on HBC isn’t a true period—it’s actually withdrawal bleeding, a response to the drop in hormone levels during the placebo week of your pill, patch, or ring. This bleeding doesn’t signify ovulation, and it doesn’t reflect the natural menstrual cycle.
Which brings me to…
6. Not All Bleeding Is a Period
Let’s clear up a common misconception: not all bleeding is a period. Sometimes, women experience breakthrough bleeding, which occurs due to a surge in estrogen. This can often occur just before or during ovulation, which is how many people assume they got pregnant “on their period”, which is much less likely. If you experience bleeding two weeks apart, it’s almost never a true period, it’s more likely breakthrough bleeding with ovulation.
Withdrawal bleeding can occur (even without HBC) if there happens to be a big enough drop in hormones to stimulate the endometrial lining to shed. Breakthrough and withdrawal bleeding can both be experienced as light spotting or bleeding, and sometimes can look like a full period, which is why it is often confused as menstrual bleeding.
A true period is menstrual bleeding which only occurs after a successful ovulation.
7. Anovulatory Cycles Aren’t Real Cycles
When we talk about anovulatory cycles (cycles without ovulation), it’s important to recognize that they aren’t really cycles at all. You’re in the same cycle until ovulation actually happens. Bleeding doesn’t automatically start a new period unless it’s actually menstrual bleeding following ovulation.
If ovulation doesn’t occur, then it’s not a full cycle, it’s just a hormonal fluctuation that hasn’t resulted in the necessary release of an egg. This is a key reason why it’s so important to track ovulation according to evidence based guidelines to understand what’s happening with your hormones.
8. 28-Day Cycles Aren’t Actually the Standard
There’s a common misconception that a 28-day cycle is the “standard” or ideal cycle length. In reality, cycles vary widely from woman to woman, and even from cycle to cycle for the same woman. Normal cycle lengths can range anywhere between 26 and 35 days, with 29.5 days being the actual average. While some women may naturally have a 28-day cycle, it’s not the universal “perfect” cycle length.
What’s most important is that your cycle is consistent for you, with healthy ovulation and a luteal phase length that supports your overall reproductive health. If you have any cycles less than 26 days or more than 35 days, or if your luteal phase is 10 days or shorter, it’s worth investigating further to uncover potential causes.
9. Cycle Length Isn’t the Only Indicator of Health
It’s easy to think that the length of your cycle is the only marker of good menstrual health, but it’s not. Healthy cycles can vary from woman to woman, and even cycle to cycle. What’s more important than cycle length are the patterns throughout your cycles. Do you ovulate? Are your luteal phases a healthy length? Are you experiencing any common but abnormal symptoms (pain, spotting, PMS)? These factors tell us a lot more about overall reproductive health.
When I was trying to conceive in 2021 I had fairly normal cycle lengths around 30 days and my luteal phases on my charts were typically 12-14 days. At a glance, you would think I had great cycles. After experiencing recurrent miscarriages and seeking help doing testing aligned with my fertility charting we uncovered that I had some key hormonal imbalances leading to low quality ovulation (sometimes delayed ovulation), and low progesterone levels, despite normal luteal phase lengths. PMS symptoms were the only clue at the time, outside of my miscarriages, that my hormones were out of balance.
10. Understanding Your Cycle Can Empower You
The more you understand your cycle, the more empowered you become to take control of your health. Charting your cycle is not just about tracking your periods or identifying when you’re fertile—it’s a powerful tool for gaining deeper insight into how your body works, how your hormones fluctuate, and how your overall health evolves over time. Whether you’re trying to get pregnant, avoid pregnancy, or simply manage your hormonal health, understanding the phases of your cycle offers valuable clues about what’s happening inside your body.
By tracking your fertility signs, you’re not only learning about ovulation—you’re gaining a broader understanding of your hormonal balance, stress levels, nutrition, and even your emotional well-being. Charting helps you spot irregularities or changes early, making it easier to identify potential health issues before they become bigger problems.
It also gives you the information you need to adjust your lifestyle, seek appropriate care when necessary, and ultimately feel more in tune with your body. The more you know, the more control you have over your overall health and well-being.
Conclusion
I hope these insights have helped you feel more connected to your body and your cycle. Every woman’s journey is unique, and while cycles can sometimes feel overwhelming or confusing, truly understanding them is one of the most empowering steps you can take toward finding balance in your health.
If you’ve been struggling to make sense of your cycle, or if you’re ready to get a clearer picture of how your body is working, I’d love to help. In my 1:1 program, we’ll work together to chart your cycle using evidence-based guidelines. We’ll explore your fertility signs, create a personalized plan that fits your needs, and discover health insights that go far beyond just tracking your period.
Charting your cycle isn’t just about knowing when you’re fertile—it’s about getting to know your body better and making choices that truly support your unique health needs. If you’re ready to get started, I’m here to guide you through it all.
Reach out today, and let’s dive into your cycle together!
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