Average Cycle Menstruation is a normal, predictable event for most women. In the United States, the average age of the first menstrual period is 12.8 years. After an initial 4- or
5-year period of adjustment, the normal menstrual cycle averages: 24 to 35 days between cycles. 4 to 6 days of bleeding. 30 mL of blood lost per menstrual period.
	Cycle Diary Most women have premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms occur in cycles, coming and going at roughly the same time each month. If
you are having premenstrual-like symptoms, your health professional may ask you to keep a menstrual diary. To track when your symptoms occur. To identify what kinds of symptoms you have and develop a treatment plan. Now when everyone has a PC it is very easy to keep a menstrual diary. Just get one of the software products available on the market. Check the Software Products section.
	Why Do You Need a Cycle Diary? Here are just a few of the reasons why you should have an up to date menstrual diary:
Vacation:  Going on vacation would be so much fun if you could plan it for the time when you will not be having your period. Doctors:  When you go to see a doctor he/she would need to know when was your last menstrual cycle. Especially your ObGyn, who will need to know all the details to determine if there is any problem.  Family Planing:  your fertility periods are determine by your ovulation. And ovulation can be calculated from your menstrual diary. But you need to have data at least for 6 month. A year is better. Click for more information. Social Life:  If you have heavy PMS you can prepare prepare the people they live and work with for the upcoming emotional changes. You can avoid going to a party or take a day off. Sex Life:  If you are dating it will be good to choose the appropriate time for a special night.

	Basic Facts The monthly pattern that occurs regularly in most women, from puberty to menopause, is called the menstrual cycle. For some
women, cycles recur fairly regularly every 28 days. But the number of days in each cycle can vary from woman to woman, from every 21 to every 35 days. Some women have only 3-4 cycles per year. Every cycle has these parts: menstruation (period, bleeding) ovulation luteal phase (after ovulation) In a 28-day cycle, the pattern usually follows this timing: The beginning of the cycle, called Day 1, is the day bleeding begins. The flow usually lasts about 3 to 5 days. Usually by Day 7 some of the eggs in the ovaries start ripening. One egg is released from the ovary on about Day 14. The other ripening eggs stop growing and dry up. The time from menstruation to ovulation, may vary from 13 to 20 days in length from one woman to another, but also differs in some women from month to month. Such common circumstances as sickness, worry, physical exertion, and even sudden changes in climate may occasionally upset a regular pattern by shortening it or extending it. During ovulation the egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. If a single male sperm unites with the egg while it is in the tube pregnancy begins. If fertilization doesn't take place, the egg cell will break apart in a day or two. About Day 25, hormone levels drop. This causes the lining of the uterus to break down and in a few days it is shed in a menstrual period. Another cycle has begun. This part of the cycle, from ovulation to menstruation, is about the same length in all women. The egg is released consistently 14 to 16 days before the onset of menstruation, regardless of the length of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
	More Information For more information about Fertility Awareness Methods and Natural Family Planing click here.
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