By Alli Coiro, RN-BSN, CFCP

Question: I am single. Can I still chart my cycles?

Answer: Yes

It has been said by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) that the menstrual cycle is a “fifth vital sign” for women! Ovulation and menstruation are important signs of health, and it is valuable to understand them correctly regardless of being married or single.

Reasons to Chart as a Single Woman

Identify Women’s Health Issues

Charting your cycles allows for signs and symptoms of women’s health problems to be identified clearly. That information is then used to treat the issue utilizing the specialized approach of NaProTECHNOLOGY. Conditions such as: premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful periods, heavy bleeding, irregular cycles, unusual spotting, etc. all display symptoms that can be identified clearly when you are charting your cycles. Creighton Model FertilityCare System charting is a critical diagnostic tool in this process and gives women the power to advocate for their gynecological health!

It is important to have these issues treated addressed as soon as possible to enhance a woman’s quality of life and, in some cases, to protect future fertility (depending on the condition).

Living into Your Hormone Genius

Knowing your body and understanding what hormones are prevalent when is key to unlocking your “hormone genius.” We can work cooperatively with the dominant hormones of our cycles at different times of the month.

Interested in more on this topic?

• Check out this podcast episode from the Hormone Genius
• Read this book – The Happy Girl’s Guide to Being Whole by Teresa Kenney, WHNP

Future Investment

The sooner you learn to understand your body, the better! Whether you are called to marriage, consecrated religious life, or to be single – cycle charting can benefit you in all of the stages of a women’s menstrual years. Understanding how our bodies were designed to function is never a wasted endeavor!

A note on tracking cycles with an app…

A popular option is to chart on an app, but it is important to know that the vast majority of apps on the market base their ovulation predictions on an average of cycle lengths (AKA the rhythm method). Alternatively, charting cycles with a research-backed method identifies biomarkers women experience and can more accurately identify the true ovulation window. Even if you have “regular cycles,” you do not necessarily ovulate the same day each cycle – and this is normal!

Do you have a question you want answered? Let us know! Email our office at stlnfp@archstl.org or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram.

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