In my 40s and have never really tracked my periods

[MrsMaisel]

am i just disorganised? Am I alone? Occasionally when things seem to be going a little awry i will look back at a calendar and try to reverse engineer some semblance of a record... but never really able to pin point days. I feel a bit daft whenever a doctor asks me the date of my last period - i sort of look up to the ceiling and guesstimate. Can I just hide behind the expression, 'going with the flow'?

[grubus]

I'm exactly the same. I don't think that you are unusual.

[Hanumantelpiece]

I haven't either as until I had my DC, they were irregular. Took me a while to figure out I was pregnant as I didn't have any symptoms until 3months in (but on the back of a load of stressful stuff).
I'm more regular now, and get definitely PMT a week ahead so it's easier to be prepared.

[Heratnumber7]

I was the same. I could never quite get how to count the first day either. Do they mean the first little spot, or the first day of full flow?
I don't have them any more and it's fab

[MrsMaisel]

thank goodness... i was just reading this article in the Guardian and felt a bit backwards:
"When broadcaster Sandi Toksvig was studying anthropology at university, one of her female professors held up a photograph of an antler bone with 28 markings on it. “This,” said the professor, “is alleged to be man’s first attempt at a calendar.” Toksvig and her fellow students looked at the bone in admiration. “Tell me,” the professor continued, “what man needs to know when 28 days have passed? I suspect that this is woman’s first attempt at a calendar.” "
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/23/truth-world-built-for-men-car-crashes

[stopitandtidyupp]

I am 38 I downloaded an app at 36 recommenced by my SD who tracked hers from day 1.

[elQuintoConyo]

I'm 43 now and have been tracking for about 18 months as I'd like to keep an eye on perimenopause. It happened to my mum early, I'd just like to keep my eye on it.

I also tracked when we started TTC, but otherwise no, I have never tracked. Sore tits and incredibly weird vivid dreams always meant I was due on within the week, so I'd fill my bag with tampons in case it came while I was out.

[AltogetherAndrews]

I was the same, until I realised that my cycle was effecting my symptoms of another health condition, and life was easier if I could predict when my energy levels would drop. I use an app, Flo, which makes it really easy, I’m not naturally organised enough to work it out any other way.

[Yubaba]

I don’t either, I did when I was TTC obviously but DH has since had a vasectomy and I don’t need to bother anymore so I don’t.

[MrsMaisel]

I share my phone apps with my son because of our account set up. Probably do need to have more of a handle on this leading up to peri-menopause but more likely to use a traditional calendar if need be...

[flowersaremyfave]

I'm 34 and have never tracked my periods. When I've found out I'm pregnant I've never known how far along I am 🙈

[BalloonDinosaur]

I didnt until recently. (I'm 34 now) Dr/midwife etc really struggled to get it when I told them I had no idea when my last period was.

Have started making a note of it recently

[MrsMaisel]

I can't remember how tall I am or exactly how much I weigh either. I can't recall when I had my last haircut. Perhaps... this all stems from resentment at being asked 'When my last confession' was as a child??

[MrsMaisel]

People are so nosey.

[BrokenWing]

I'm 50 and started tracking on an app around 2 years ago when they started getting irregular and I now have very heavy flooding if they are a week or two late so it helps to know.

[ImFreeToDoWhatIWant]

I'm 44 and I've tracked with various degrees of dedication since I started my periods at 12yo. Usually just noting the start of each period in a diary, and when ttc using far more detailed daily analysis (temps, fluid etc). The past couple of years I've used a phone app and am just noting basic details - start day and length and flow strength. It's abundantly clear I'm now in peri menopause but the changes are subtle and tracking means I can identify them. It's really helpful.

[Ragnarthe]

Never tracked until perimenopause

[Alison100199]

Obsessive tracker here as I've been using Natural Cycles for contraception for a year now. I know exactly what my body is doing, when I ovulate, when my period is due etc. I find it empowering .

[bridgetreilly]

I started tracking in my early 40s when they started becoming extremely irregular and that has a big impact on how heavy/painful they are. It's worth knowing that you haven't had one for 10 weeks so you can be ready for it being a monster.

[bridgetreilly]

But otherwise unless you are ttc, or concerned that you might have got pregnant accidentally, I don't think most women need to obsessively track.

[AlexaShutUp]

I only started tracking them a couple of years ago, in my mid forties. Partly because they seemed to be getting a bit less regular and I wanted to see the pattern, but also because a colleague mentioned how much it helped her to track changes in her mood.

I must admit, I have found it useful. There are days when I'm really low and it definitely helps to know that this is hormonal and predictable rather than just assuming that it's because my life sucks!

[DaedricLordSlayer]

it's always a surprise when I get a period. i have no idea when my last one was could be last week might be 3 weeks ago?

I was the same when trying to conceive. was sure I felt pregnant, did a test. nothing. Dh said well it won't show will it, you're not due for another 2 weeks... then I forgot about it, and 3 weeks later DH said you're late, maybe you should do a test? I said but I just did one? 🤦

[dementedpixie]

I only started tracking after I got my mirena out as that stopped my periods. I only started tracking last year at age 44. I now know I have a shortish cycle of 24/25 days and can predict when my period will come

[dementedpixie]

P.s. I use an app to track- calendar or maybe period calendar

[Omgineedanamechange]

Never tracked mine till I became perimenopausal.

[SpinningSister]

We were TTC for 10 years (infertility) so I never tracked mine now baby is 6 weeks I will start tracking because I don’t want another one and after 10 years of never knowing it would be nice to get to know my own body again !