Brown/old blood at start of period

[brokenshoes]

Does this count as "day one" of my cycle, or should I start counting my cycle from when I get the heavier, bright red flow a couple of days later?

I would count from when you start properly.

I get that too, but it doesn't usually last long and I get heavier red flow within 12 hours most of the time, so I count it as the first day, which seems to be accurate as I'm a on a solid 28 day cycle with me counting that as the first day. Not sure if this helps?

I get a bit of spotting a day or two before, but I count day one as when I get the heavier, brighter flow. I think as long as you're consistent with yourself that will keep how long your cycle is right, but if you're trying to work out when you ovulate, then it might matter a bit more

Thank you. I'm only just starting to chart my cycle using an app and it was that which made me realise that perhaps starting counting from the day I get the spotting won't accurately tell me when I ovulate.