A new tool has been developed to assist women in determining the optimal days of the month for various activities, such as exercising, dating, dressing up for a party, and performing well at work.
The calculator, curated by monthlies, is designed to pinpoint when women will be at their peak during different stages of their monthly cycle. Women simply enter their typical cycle length and the date of their last period, and the calculator will map out when they should undertake or avoid certain activities.
Research involving 5,000 UK women conducted by the natural period pain supplement revealed that most women’s lives are dictated by their menstrual cycles, influencing when they exercise, how they feel, and what they wear.
It was found that 51% of women feel controlled by their periods, with 32% stating it determines when they have sex, and 21% dictating what and when they eat. Women also plan their socialising, sleeping patterns, and even important meetings around their menstrual cycle.
A spokeswoman for monthlies, which aims to alleviate menstrual symptoms and manage the cycle throughout the month, said: « While this research gives us an ‘average’ picture of what the monthly cycle can look like, we know every single woman has their own unique set of experiences when it comes to having periods.
« While pain is more commonly felt the few days of bleeding, and at the mid-month point, this is not the case for everyone. »
« Every woman needs to learn about their own period journey and work out what works best for them in terms of how to manage their period pain, as well as when to get the best out of themselves personally, professionally and socially, » they added.
The study found that 54% of those who experience period pain can pinpoint the exact days in the month it will occur. While 91% experience ovulation pain mid-month – with discomfort when the ovaries release the egg felt around days 14 and 15 – with 63% feeling this for more than two days.
The average individual will also endure bloating for just over seven days of the month, with a mere 7% of women claiming to feel balanced and ‘normal’ throughout their entire monthly cycle.
The research indicates that women generally attempt to remain active for most of the month, including during their period (44%) and ovulation (60%). However, mood swings can occur throughout the monthly cycle for two-thirds of those surveyed, and six in 10 (59%) often observe changes in their energy levels.
Sleep patterns, appetite, and productivity can also fluctuate across the four-week cycle. On the bright side, the research has revealed that days 11 to 15 in the average woman’s monthly cycle are when they feel their best, have the most energy, and the highest confidence.
These days are also identified as the best for going on a shopping spree, having a night out, and feeling good in clothing. Day 12 was voted the best day for sexual activity for the average person experiencing periods polled via OnePoll.
The spokesperson for monthlies stated: « Having a period isn’t all bad, in fact at times it can be empowering, and depending on what our hormones are doing and when, we can often feel great. It’s all about learning about your own body, what it responds to, how to look after it and realising that everyone is different. »
