Nsfw because of details about period/menstruation
Do you mark your first day when you wipe and see red/pink blood but your pad is mostly white? Or do you consider your first day as the day when you can visually see liquid flowing out?
Edit* thank you so much for all your responses! Keep em coming! I know it’s personal and it’s so interesting how differently everybody defines their first day.
Comments
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First day of full flow.
A good rule of thumb is if it starts in the morning count that as day 1, if you start spotting in the afternoon the next day will be day 1.
This is how I tracked while doing fertility treatment.
day1 is when i see blood
I usually have brown spotting 1-2 days beforehand. Day 1 for me is a day of red blood, unless the spotting is a significant quantity, which rarely happens.
First day of spotting is day 1, and I use an old school analog calendar. No digital footprints of my cycle. Protect yourself. No apps.
If I start spotting in the evening but the faucet isn’t all the way on until the morning the next day I’ll count from the morning going forward. If it’s mid day and the faucet starts flowing by the time I go to bed then that’s the day I mark as day 1.
I usually start the second there’s spotting/browning. I don’t keep track of the time of day I just do it by first blood.
I take the opposite approach and count spotting as day 1, eg if I spot on Monday and have a heavier flow on Tuesday, my period started Monday. I’m not on a fertility track so it’s not as critical to me/my health when the first day is, as long as there is a first day.
In my heart I track by that first “smeary” day, but my OBGYN told me to track by first day of flowing liquid.
whenever i see any amount of blood is when ill start tracking
the second I start thinking about dumping my boyfriend is when I know exactly a week from now I’ll start bleeding
First day of full flow
I’m on the pill so i know i always get mine on the fourth Tuesday of my pack always on time and it last until Friday
I use Clue, which is a period tracking app. It has options for tracking spotting (both red and brown), as well as full flow. So I just use those. But the app doesn’t count spotting as having started, if that clarifies.
When you start having a headache and it feels like the end of the world and so much stress that you want to throw your boyfriend outside. Suddenly, you see spotting (whatever colour it is and not white) and feel cramps then you feel relieved. That’s when your period starts.
I used to use flow and then I got pregnant and haven’t had my period since then. My son is 13 months now. Maybe I should see my doctor LOL.
i mark both when i start spotting and when i start flowing. i also mark my PMS/PMDD symptoms, it helps me remember that it’ll pass and that it’s hormonal and that the world and my life isn’t actually quite as fucked as i feel in those moments.
this is all on a paper printout of a calendar, btw – if you’re using a tracking app on your phone, you might want to consider deleting it and moving to paper if you’re in the US (cus of the loss of reproductive rights and the fascism and all)
I see blood, Its day 1 then.
Actually I count from today’s this time to tomorrow same time 😅 to be eligible for a full 24hr day count.
Also, I’ll update my tracker immediately.
First day I see blood to the last day I see blood, whether that’s on a tampon or bad or toilet paper.
Huh I always counted whenever I see the first speck. Might be why I keep getting pregnant lol
First blood is day one, unless its late in the evening. Not alot of blood, but a slow warm up to: Day 2 is a bloody water fall, I’ll bleed through anything within an hour or two. Day 3 is is more of a slow moving red river. Day 4 is dry like Sahara. Day 5 pretends to be Sahara until I start relaxing and then… OOOPSIE! Its kinda weird how its like a faucet with the on/off
Anyway, if you need a pad or tampon, it counts as your period having started imo.
First day of is first sign of blood. Last day is last full day with no blood.
I pretty much go from 0-100 when I start, so day 1 is day 1. My first two days are always my heaviest. Day 3 isn’t bad and day 4 is basically nothing.
Mine are very light and inconsistent so first sight of blood is day 1
I usually have some spotting a couple days before, but I know when day 1 starts because it will come full force. Proper bleeding, clots, really bad cramps
I’ve just been keeping track on my phone’s notes.
As soon as I see brown or red, that’s when I start tracking.
Day 1 is the first visible sign.
If I wipe and there’s blood, it’s day 1 for me… and now I’m questioning if that’s wrong hahaha
I just go by when my pills are up for the month
When I see any blood when wiping. So spotting as well.
I use apple Health.
Personally it’s the second I see blood – even if it’s just the very beginning and so light. By then Im having cramping, bloating, and hormonal changes so it counts!
I always say if I can’t wear white panties Im considered on my period 😅
I have pcos – or something – but most times it feels like it tracks me 🤷🏼♀️ I tried about 5 years tracking with glow but it ofc has never shown up on the expected date & instead when it couldn’t be a worse time.
On a 3 month pill, so every 3 months usually on Wednesday
Usually I just let it surprise me,but whenever my whole body starts hurting and I become super moody, I know its coming.
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First discharge of blood. That’s my day 1
As soon as I see blood. Unless I start my period at like 11pm, the day I first saw blood is the day I have flow.
First day with blood. Any amount.
Personally, I use the “health” app on iPhone to track it. I have always counted the first hint of blood as day 1 (either when I wipe or on my underwear/pad. On the app, I put that down as “spotting”
Flo app
Why is menstruation NSFW? ☹️
I typically consider my day 1 when I’m spotting because I have an IUD and my flow is so light it’s like that almost the entire length of it.
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First bit of blood. But there is no point in me tracking mine. It shows up when it wants to and sticks around anywhere from 5-18 days. I had 2 in March that were less than 15 days apart. One was 3 days and the other was 11 days. The one before that was August and it lasted 17 days.
When I finish the active pills on the last pill pack in my cabinet, I know it’s a couple days away.
I’ve always tracked mine from when the blood flow starts rather than any spotting
First day of any blood counts as the first day of the cycle
First day of blood. The crying fits a week before are just a warning that the flood is coming.
Start cycle tracking on health app on IPhone it’s free, after 3 months of accuracy it will align with your cycle
I take advantage of the health app on my iOS/iPhone.
As soon as I see blood, I put it down as spotting before the flow starts a day or two later.
I’m back on the pill so it’s pretty easy, but before that I’d just look at the moon and know lol.
First day is when I see a specific amount of blood (I don’t bleed a lot but like, normal than a “oh me and my boyfriend went too rough an hour ago hehe” tiny drop of blood) and the moon phase fits.
I keep a period app that I update frequently. But I don’t know how it’s helpful other than remembering for doctors’ appointments.
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I just write the date down in my notes app. The only reason I started is because my period is insanely irregular and if a doctor ever asked this would be the only way I could know.
I genuinely don’t understand why women bother tracking it otherwise. I’d understand if they were trying to conceive but out side of that there’s no purpose
i track it the day i find even the tiniest amount of blood, and after my period stops, i don’t consider it ended because it has a tendency to stop for a day and start again for at least another day. and i use folded toilet paper to absorb it if there’s any old brown blood still flowing lightly.
My first day is always my heaviest so it’s pretty easy to tell when it starts.
Day one is as soon as I see blood. But for me my period doesn’t really spot at the beginning. It just starts. If I do “spot” it’s going to be more than spotting by the end of the day. Usually within an hour or 2. And I usually start in the middle of the night. So by the time I’ve realized I started bleeding were past the spotting phase.
I was told by my gyno that you should count the blood from spotting as the start so thats what I’ve been doing. Once I see blood I start counting and its over when theres no blood.
I count day 1 as any red flow or from wiping. I get a medium flow day 1 heavy day 2 medium day 3 light day 4. I also start wearing a pad when it might start.
I’ve never had spotting at the beginning. Mind you, I get heavy periods, so it’s all gushing from the start.
Cries in exhaustion, nausea and pain
My first day is seeing any blood.
Fitbit
My friend! When she gets her period I know mine is coming 😂
Spotting is day 1, and the day it ends is the last day (unless it stopped after the morning)
I think the biggest thing is to keep the tracking consistent though
That’s a very personal thing. When I start bleeding it’s usually from full on bleeding to a light flow, not spotting, and the consecutive days I bleed consistently as well.
I would say, if you always start with spotting then you should track that as your first day just for the purposes of avoiding staining your clothes with blood.
I track my cycle on my phone in a health app and since I’m pretty regular, I always know the days my period will probably start and can be prepared for it.
The fertility clinic rule is first day of full flow before 9pm. So if it’s only wipes it’s not day 1. There’s some exception. When I had Ashermans Syndrome (IUDs scarred my lining after 10 years) I only had brown sludge for 3 days and didn’t have a “full flow” until the scarring was surgically removed.
I put “spotting shit” on the first day of any sign. Then “FULL BLOODY HELL” on the first day of bright red. I also try to note the last day.
First day I see blood. Mine is quite light and short. There’s maybe two days of decent flow, then another two days of lighter flow.
I am heading into my 40’s so if you’re not, it may be different. But I never have spotting before my period. And my period has started being much more random, but usually between day 25-29 of my cycle. It always shows in the morning after 1st pee when I wipe and it’s always just pink on the toilet paper. I count that as day 1. It usually lasts for 4 days of actual bleeding and the 5th day is brown spotting. I still count that 5th day as the last day of my period.
The first day I see blood. I usually have bad cramps a day or two before along with a day of crazy emotions so I’m expecting it
I use an app called ‘my period calendar’ it’s free and has work accurately for me for years.
When I start crying over EVERY LITTLE INCONVENIENCE. I start having thoughts of kms or disappearing forever. I want to eat up everything! That means in T-4-6 days my period is coming.
Apple Health app. It gets scarily accurate the more data you put in to where it is pretty spot on in telling me it’s coming.
From the moment I see blood
I use the Clue app and I track my spotting (like when I have a little bleeding, but I’m not actually in the full swing of my cycle yet) and then I track my cycle as it starts.
I don’t track it, but to answer your other question I usually get some very light spotting a couple of days beforehand, so I consider the actual first day to be when the cramps start (and then things start flowing within an hour).
An app called Clue.
I use my phone calendar 📅
Man, I’m a heavy bleeder, and there is no pink/barely there day. I’ll feel really sad and unable to make any decisions for about two days, then start cramping. About 6 hours from the cramping, I start up a gushing flow that lasts 3 days, then an on and off flow for 3-4 more days.
Edit for context: I have paraguard iud
For me I used to track on my calendar now I use the built in Health app on my iPhone. I can log if I’m spotting or if I have my period and how heavy the flow is. It estimates when I could be getting my next period and averages my period length.
On my calendar I used to mark it when I truly was bleeding but since the app had a dedicated “spotting” option I now record that too
I use an app called stardust. Although I’m thinking of trying another one once my subscription expires. It’s been pretty accurate so far. I log a period the second I see blood and I log the end of my period when my pad is no longer being filled, even if I still have some spotting.
I used the app Flo when I still had a uterus. It had spotting options. It really helped me track my symptoms and helped lead me to making the decision of having my uterus removed. I had chronic fibroids and refused to admit to myself how terrible my symptoms were. That app truly helped me see black and white how off my symptoms were. There’s also quizzes and articles to help you understand if what is happening is within normal guidelines.
Through my mental state
The day that I count as the first day of my period is the day I NEED to use my menstrual cup in lieu of using my daily pantiliner. Also, I use the CLUE app, which I’m not fearful of because I’ve been sterile since I was 31 years old (intentionally).
first day is the first day i bleed. I don’t track it because i know just by my birth control pills when it’s gonna be 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t understand the need for apps to track it lol like just use a calendar or something
Apple Watch menstrual app
i use the fitbit feature
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Mine is always triggered by a massive bout of diarrhea. My period loves making an entrance.
i don’t. too lazy to gaf. (ik I’ll be regretting that)
I use the Lively app (free version).
I count the first day of menstruation as blood spotting, not the light pink spotting that sometimes happens before. Hormonally, I will check in with myself: a week after my period starts, I’ll feel confident, smart, able to tackle projects, and physically fit or energetic. My hunger is through the roof because my metabolism is ramping up. I crave things. The following week I’ll usually start to feel like shopping or dressing up and being social (ovulation), then it starts to decline into a little bit of fatigue and maybe PMS (questioning my own existence in this lifetime), and then when the first blood appears, it all happens again lol.
I use the app Flo
I use the Flo app
When I get the urge to smash every dish in my kitchen. Also, when I start bawling at any little inconvenience, when my skin starts to break out, when my boobs start to hurt- there are definitely distinct signs, but a lot of it is just running on pure vibes.
On the pill.
Day 3 of the placebo.
The first day is when I see I see red blood. I use Apple Health app to track my periods. I don’t have mood swings so I can’t tell when it’s coming or what phase I’m in based on moods
The moment I notice blood is day one for me. I don’t really track it other than that.
I don’t, my Flo app does it for me💅🏻
When i actually start bleeding is day 1, i dont count spotting
I use an app. It’s not super accurate, but it helps guide me through my cycle.
first day of flow, i usually wait to make sure it’s not gonna disappear lol😂 and also i’ve been using Natural Cycles the app to track my cycle for 3 years now! i highly recommend!
So interesting people count day 1 as spotting. I usually start spotting 2-3 days before my period, but it’s a tiny bit, so I never track it from there.
I use a tracker app and just put in what’s happening “spotting, red” that kind of thing. The app sorts it out. Haha.
I use the Period Tracker app, it’s great I’ve been using it for years and I like that it shows predictions of when my period should start and ovulation.
According to NFP criteria: Old blood is an old cycle, new blood is a new cycle. Quantity doesn’t matter.
For me, it’s always light on the first day, heavy on days 2 & 3, then gradually lighter over the last 2 days. I’ve always just considered it a 5 day period and log it the day I wipe and get blood.
I use moody – I like it because you can add in symptoms or how your overall feeling.
Personally, my period seems to have an on/off button. There’s very little in between. So for me, I mark the first day the day I start bleeding. I rarely ever spot before, but when I do, I mark the first day as the day where I need product. Then I put a mark in my calendar for 28 days later.
I use a period-tracking app and I just mark the first day there’s blood coming out as day 1.
My boyfriend tracks it in one of those apps. I know it’s coming when I start feeling more anxiety, especially in my lower legs.
If I cry at instagram reels, I know a blood bath is going to happen in at T – 3 Days
i use the app “stardust” but i know it’s coming when i start having thoughts of dropping out
i just mark it on a calendar app in my phone it helps me see patterns and know when to expect it kinda like keeping a little log just for myself
Usually get REALLY irritated with every small thing and then pre cramps.. that’s usually when I get the hint I am about to bleed
First day of anything blood like coming out, even if it’s just a bit of spotting, though I’ll make a note of whether it’s light spotting versus full flow already
I use a period app on my phone called, Flo and I have used it for ages now
The first day I see ANY amount of blood , however small, counts as the first day for me and I mark it down on an website called MyMonthlyCycle that I’ve used for years now.
Tracking my period helps me to know if I’ve had a weirdly long cycle ( I have PCOS) that I need to discuss with my doctor. I’ve never had a “normal ” cycle in my entire life but I know if it’s weirdly long…like more than 60 days…something could be up.
Or it could be my body being weird AGAIN for the 84,000 th time.
Honestly, i use the app Stardust to track, but as soon as I’m spotting i log it in. The logistics are good there, and if your period is late or soon it will recalculate for you. You can see your hormones as well, and it gives you funny pop up notifications before your period starts.
I use Flo and the health app that comes with apple phone.
Flo app
Most importantly, do NOT track online or in an app.
Under His Eye.
Any day I need to have a pad/tampon/period panties on to feel comfortable leaving the house is a period day. First day of spotting? That counts. Last day with barely any flow, but I know better than to go without? That counts.
I don’t really track it at all just sometimes I’ll be extra dramatic or a little more hostile then usual and I know it’s coming
mine is irregular so i don’t bother tracking it
I track mine on the Clue app. It’s free and nice to see all of my cycles. Helps at the doctor too, they ask when my last period was sometimes.
When I see red. Its always heavy on the 1st day.
Then u mark it on a period calendar app
By my birth control pills
There is one app I use which is called Flo, I use that one to track my period
Clue app. Been using it for years and love it. Allows me to track cycle, emotions, pain, sex medication etc. highly recommend to everyone
To me, my period is whatever days I’m bleeding enough to need a pad. Anything less is just spotting and I don’t count it.
I raw dog🎀
I don’t track it. It’s surpriiiiiiiseeeeeee (each month it starts in a different day, this month started day 9 or something?)
p tracker app. i have been using it since 2010, but I have back up data since 2013. I love it! i consider my first day the day that I imagine men think they die when they bleed like that. other days I mark them as spotting.
As soon as I need a tampon. Usually happens on the same day. I start with a bit of spotting but that only lasts like 4 hours or less before I see the bright, red blood
I use clue! I like them a lot and plan to pay for it when I want to start trying for babby
Anytime I see blood during the day in between waking up and going to bed. If I wake up in the morning with blood that started overnight, like for example if I woke up today on Tuesday and saw blood, today is day 1. Not yesterday or overnight.
I use a period app and the cycle tracking on my Apple Watch and phone. I’m almost 42. I’m not concerned about the app use and tracking with the government or whatever. I’m not getting pregnant, I’m not on BC.I just track so I know approximately when to expect bleeding.
With the tracking app I just input my first day. That way it calculates the next month when I would be due. I don’t add each day Im bleeding. I know I only bleed about 4 days, for years and years it’s been the same.
I know I’m approx a week out when I start getting uncontrollable cystic acne on my cheeks, despite skincare, birth control, and a good diet and water intake.
My periods are extremely light, so i just go ahead and start tracking the moment I see blood of any type.
It’s so incredible to learn how different periods can be. I’m just learning of this thing called brown spots some of you go through. Mine usually just starts. I’ll either wake up and know I’m about to bleed before I even sit on the loo. Or if it’s the middle of the day, I’ll have to go to pee and wipe pink with mucous and then I’ll start that very day itself.
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Period Tracker App by GP Apps
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I’m on birth control. My period only lasts maybe 3 days but I count my entire sugar pill week as being on it because I get pretty symptomatic for the whole week.
I use the health tracker in my phone but otherwise I know when I wake up and want to kill myself and cry over everything while in eating like a human garbage truck – we are about there
First day for me is when I wipe and see significant blood, I’ll lightly spot up to a few days in advance so I wear liners and stay alert
Install Flo, it’s a big help for me. Been using it since 2018
It just comes and I inevitably ruin a pair of underwear every time bc I refuse to be prepared like a dingus 🤷🏻♀️
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my period doesn’t start slow so it’s as soon as I see blood because it’s basically a geyser immediately
I don’t. I wish I could, but nothing seems to work. I forget to mark it on any actual calendars, and I used an app for a while but it yelled at me for skewing the data when I tried to log my nine month long bleeding period, then didn’t believe me when I told it I hadn’t bled for eighteen months 🤷🏽♀️
Nowadays I just wait and endure, the stabbing chest/abdominal pain is usually a big indicator.
(Quick disclaimer: I don’t know why my menstrual cycle is so fucked up, but the Dr’s won’t look into it without a blood test and I have a huge chronic needle phobia. I literally can’t be in the same room or I’ll have a mental health episode.)
I use the Clue app and it has options for red/brown spotting all the way to light/medium/heavy flow. So I track it all.