Fitbit is one of the most versatile activity trackers out there. However, did you know that it can help you track your period as well?
Recently, Fitbit has added multiple features about women’s health. Period tracking is one of them. If up until now, you haven’t used this feature, it is time to start doing so now.
I will highlight a simple way in which you can track your periods with Fitbit, and after that, I will also help you understand why it is a good idea to do so. Not all Fitbit models are for female health tracking. To find out more see my guide on the best Fitbits for ladies.
How to track your period with Fitbit?
Fitbit offers you the option to add your period date manually or allow it to predict your next period, depending on the first period, which you input. I will highlight the procedure to do so below.
- You can add your period through the Fitbit app. You can also do so with the help of female health dial.
- select the option mentioning the start date. This option is available on the calendar. You have to tap it to add your first-period date.
- The pencil icon will help you input the date.
- You will also get the option to turn on predictions. In case you do so, it will take into account your average period length and predict the date for the next month.
- The calendar allows you to either enter the first day or the last day of the period. You can drag your finger to mark the length. This length will be taken into account while predicting the next month date.
- You have to tap the save button to input all the data.
During the subsequent months, the tracker will predict your period depending on its length in the last cycle dates. It will provide you with the option to confirm if it started as predicted by the tracker or not. You can also manually edit the date for the accurate logging.
If you do not select any option on the confirm dates, it will keep on postponing it to the next day.
Thus, when you log in your dates for a few months, it will accurately predict the cycle. It will become easy for you to track your period using Fitbit.
Can Fitbit track ovulation as well?
The next obvious question which you might have is whether Fitbit can track ovulation as well?
Yes, it can, but it requires little to no input on your part. Fitbit takes into account the average cycle length. It subtracts 14 from it and indicates those dates for next month as the time when you will ovulate. This method is known as the calendar method. It is a reasonably accurate method that can predict the ovulation date. Thus, the tracker helps you get an idea regarding when you will ovulate.
What are the benefits of tracking your period?
By now, you might be wondering what benefit you can get by tracking your period?
I will go into the benefits below to help you understand why you should do so.
Understanding your menstrual cycle pattern:
The universal menstrual cycle is of 28 days. However, it can vary from one woman to another. That is why by tracking your monthly cycle, you will know your unique pattern. It will help you stay better prepared. You can handle it in a much better way rather than be caught unawares. Hence, you should keep track of your monthly cycle.
Knowing about your fertile window:
Once you keep track of the menstrual cycle, it is comparatively easy to know about your fertile window as well. As a result, if you’re planning to get pregnant, you will know when to give it a try. Moreover, Fitbit can help you in predicting ovulation days as well, which makes the job even easy. It is one of the reasons to track your menstrual cycle.
Detecting any health problems in time:
A timely menstrual cycle for females indicates that their body is functioning well. It also means that there are no underlying health or fertility issues. In case you have an irregular or a heavy period, it indicates that you might be suffering from a health problem. The same is the case when you miss a period. When you track every detail of your monthly cycle and keep a log of the dates as well, you can be sure that you will know about discrepancies. It will allow you to detect underlying health conditions in advance, as well.
Predicting your sex drive:
It is common that during the fertile days, you will experience enhanced sexual desire. When you know the likely days when you’re going to ovulate, it will become easy to understand more about your sexual desire. You can spend some more time with your partner to satisfy your desire as well. At the same time, it will help you plan your family in a much better way.
Managing your mood:
During the period, you are more likely to experience rapidly changing hormone levels. These can lead to a lot of mood swings like:
• Irritation
• Anxiety
• Feeling depressed
• Feeling affectionate
• And so on
When you know the exact dates of your period, it will become easy for you to handle these mood swings. Also, you can take control of your emotions in a much better way. It is one of the primary reasons to track it. It will help you focus more on your day to day life rather than act according to your changing emotional state.
Become more fit
Did you know that tracking your menstrual cycle can also help you lose more weight?
I will explain it now. During the second week after your period, the estrogen levels in your body are on the higher side. It means that your energy levels will also be high. In that case, you can exercise more. However, the best time to lose weight is in the third week after your period. During this week, your body will have ample estrogen and progesterone. It means that it can burn fat during the exercise at a much rapid pace. If you plan your workout routines accordingly, you can lose weight at a faster pace.
The best way to plan your workout is to track your cycle and modify your exercises accordingly.
Managing your productivity
In today’s competitive world, you have to always perform at optimum levels at work. The problem is during your period, due to the mood swings and low energy levels, chances are you might not be able to do so. However, there is a way in which you can ensure that you still get the work done without anyone noticing. You can follow a few tips, which include:
• During the dates of your next period, you can stay away from challenging presentations.
• During this time, if you have a leave pending, you can take it to get some rest.
• You can schedule desk work or administrative tasks as per your next date.
Following these three tips will ensure that you can perform better. Your performance level will not dip even during your period. You can do all of this only when you know the dates. Fitbit can help you with the same using its predictability.
Easy to manage your social calendar
When you are aware of your period dates, you can manage your social schedule accordingly.
For example, in the week just before your period, you are most likely to feel sluggish and have less energy. During this week, you can avoid social gatherings. It will ensure that you get some rest and keep yourself relaxed.
Similarly, you can avoid social gatherings, as well. You can plan the meetings later so that you do not miss out on anything and at the same time, have a vibrant social life as well.
Improve your sleep quality
Wondering how tracking your period can help you in improving your sleep quality?
The week before and a week after the periods causes a rise in your body temperature. During these weeks, it can become difficult for you to sleep for the average number of hours. If you do not know your next period date, you will not be able to do anything about it. However, using the tracker’s predictability, you can understand the following date and make sure that you sleep soundly during these two weeks as well.
You might be thinking, how can you sleep better during those two specific weeks?
You can follow a few tips to sleep better like:
• You need to avoid caffeine during these two weeks.
• You need to use aromatic oils to sleep better.
• You can play some soothing and calming music in your bedroom especially during these two weeks.
These three simple steps will ensure that you can sleep better even in the week before and after your period. As mentioned before, taking these steps is only possible when you know the date of your next period.
Fitbit has made it easier than ever to track your cycle. Moreover, the predictability of Fitbit ensures that you need not stay in the dark about your next period, as well. Once you regularly track for a few months, its predictability becomes even better, which will help you know that your next period dates in advance.
Once you have this information, you can lead a better life. You can better control your personal and professional life. Due to all of these reasons, it is a must to track your period date. The benefits of tracking your monthly cycle are enormous.