How many days are there between each period?
Are you menstru-waiting? Instead of playing the did-my-period-come-today guessing game every morning when you wake up, knowing how to calculate how many days are between each period can bring you some peace of mind.
How many days are there until your next period?
To calculate how many days there are between each period, you need to know how long your menstrual cycle is. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, which means the average time between periods for most girls is 28 days. So, if you want a very general estimate of when your next period is coming, count 28 days from the first day of your last period. However, just be aware that 28 is only an average, so the number varies from girl to girl. What’s even more helpful is to work out the average for your individual menstrual cycle.
Calculating your menstrual cycle
Normal menstrual cycle lengths can range between 21 and 35 days. In order to calculate the number of days in your cycle, you’ll need to keep track of when you get your period for a while. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Mark the first day of your period in the calendar. The first day of your period is Day 1 of your menstrual cycle. Do this for a few months, and you’ll be one step closer to figuring out the average time between your periods.
Step 2: Add up the number of days in each cycle after you’ve marked your period on the calendar for a few months. Then, divide this number by the number of periods you’ve had in this time. This will give you your average cycle length (i.e., the average time between your periods).
Step 3: Now that you have this number, figuring out when your next period is due should be as easy as pie. Starting on the first day of your last period, just count forward the average number of days between your periods that you calculated in Step 2. This will give you the projected start date of your next period. Voilà!
Can I use a period tracker app instead?
If this all sounded like a bit too much hassle, don’t worry. There are apps that can help you if you don’t feel like doing the maths. All you need to do is input when you start your period, and the app will do the rest!
Why should I track the number of days between each period?
Whether you do it yourself or use an app, knowing how many days there are between each period can be a big help when it comes to feeling prepared and confident around your period.
A few days before your period, you may want to start wearing ALWAYS Dailies pantyliners for extra protection and assurance that you won’t be caught off-guard by your period. ALWAYS Dailies are super thin and flexible, so you’ll barely even know you have one on.
When you know your period is due, be sure to stock up on period supplies like Tampax. With a unique shape for better protection against leaks, Tampax Pearl Compak tampons can boost your confidence during your period because you won’t be preoccupied with staining your knickers or having an embarrassing period accident. Combine this with your new knowledge of how many days there are between periods, and you’re golden!
Knowing when your period is coming can also help you to manage and prepare for any hormonal changes.
What if my menstrual cycle is way different than average?
There are lots of potential reasons for having an irregular period, and most of them are no big deal. Check out this article to find out more. If you’re worried, you can always tell a trusted adult or your doctor to help get to the bottom of why your period is irregular and what you can do about it.