Confused about when to start counting bleeding as period

[BigBairyHollocks]

Hi, I cannot believe I am over thirty years of age and asking this, but I don’t know when t stat counting that my period has started. I have started bleeding today, brown with some red blood when I wipe.For another four days it will be the same, only getting heavier.Then on day five I will bleed heavy, red blood for about three days until it stops abruptly. So do I count these brown/reddish days as period, it day one as the first days of red heavy bleeding, when I will also have cramps? So confused! Thanks

[peachypetite]

You start counting from when you see blood.

[BigBairyHollocks]

Not “it day one”- or day one!

[BikeRunSki]

Count from today

[cosmo30]

I was told the first day of proper flow of red blood. I get confused sometimes as spot small amounts for a day or two on and off.

[BigBairyHollocks]

Thanks both for your messages, sorry for disappearing! No consensus then, I don’t know how to figure out when I’m ovulating really, as I have no obvious signs!Will have to keep trying to notice a pattern. Thanks

[calimommy]

Count from day one of spotting. That is your body's hormones shifting. Periods don't always start heavy. So today is Day 1. If you are not sure about your cycles and want to know when you are ovulating then you can track it using Ovulation Prediction Tests (OPK), Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and/or looking out for changes in cervical mucus and pain/twinges on either side of your abdomen (ovulation pain).

[BigBairyHollocks]

Thank you that makes sense @calimommy I have been looking out for pains etc but don’t really notice anything happening.will count from now and see where I go from there.Thanks