Australian women's health organisation Jean Hailes makes a strong case for tracking: by tracking bleeding, pain and other symptoms, you can learn what's 'normal' for you and be better able to tell when something's not quite right. A record is also handy to share with your doctor.
Free period tracker apps make that record easy to keep, but they aren't all alike. Here's how to choose one and what's worth logging.
Quick answer: Choose a free period tracker app that records your period dates, bleeding, pain and other symptoms, works out your cycle length and lets you share the history with your GP. Clue is one you can join without paying, with optional Clue Plus upgrades. A simple diary does the job too.
How do I choose a free period tracker app?
Start with the features Australian health sources say are worth recording, then check how the app handles your data. A useful tracker should let you:
- mark when each period starts and stops;
- note pain and when it happens;
- record heavy days, flooding or clots;
- add other symptoms, such as mood changes;
- show your history in a form you can take to a doctor.
Then open the app's privacy policy and check who it shares information with before you enter anything personal.
Is Clue free to use?
You can start without paying. Clue's own website says you can create an account for free, and lists a paid upgrade, Clue Plus, with advanced cycle insights, predictions and pattern analysis, cycle sharing through Clue Connect and unlimited expert content. Clue describes tracking cycle symptoms, mood and upcoming periods, PMS and ovulation days, and says it has never sold users' health data. Clue is the only app we name here because it's the one whose features and pricing we could confirm on its official site.
Clue also says you can track hormonal cycle experiences without logging bleeding, and follow your changing cycle as you approach menopause.
How do I work out my cycle length?
Count from the first day of one period to the first day of the next; that's how healthdirect explains tracking your cycle. It says periods usually come 21 to 35 days apart and last 3 to 7 days. Jean Hailes gives a slightly wider normal cycle of 24 to 38 days, with an average of 28, and says the heaviest flow usually comes in the first day or two.
Want to understand what's happening across those weeks? See the four seasons of your menstrual cycle.
How much bleeding is normal to log?
Jean Hailes says blood loss is usually anywhere between 20ml and 80ml per period, and losing more than 80ml is classified as a heavy period. Flooding your pad or passing clots is a sign your period is heavier than it should be. Writing these moments down gives your GP something concrete to work with.
When to see a doctor
healthdirect suggests seeing a doctor if:
- your periods are heavier than usual or the pattern changes;
- a period lasts more than 8 days;
- periods come less than 3 weeks or more than 2 months apart;
- you bleed between periods or after sex;
- period pain is severe enough to disrupt your daily activities;
- you're 17 and haven't started your periods;
- your periods affect your wellbeing or enjoyment of life.
Bring a list or diary of your symptoms to the appointment, as healthdirect recommends.
Frequently asked questions
Is a period app better than a paper diary?
Not necessarily. healthdirect talks about keeping a list or diary of symptoms, and Jean Hailes simply says to keep a record of your periods. An app adds reminders and does the counting for you, while paper needs no account or data sharing. The best choice is the one you'll keep using.
Can a period cup help me track heavy periods?
It can make your notes more exact. A Lunette menstrual cup has measuring lines at 5 ml and 13.5 ml on Size 1 and at 7.5 ml and 15 ml on Size 2. Jean Hailes classifies more than 80ml per period as heavy, so adding up what you empty gives a useful figure for your GP.
Can I use a tracker if my periods have stopped or are changing?
Yes. Clue says its app lets you track hormonal cycle experiences without logging bleeding and follow your cycle as you transition to menopause. If your periods have stopped for more than 6 months and you're not sure why, healthdirect recommends seeing your doctor rather than relying on an app.
Turn guesswork into millilitres: the Lunette period cup has measuring lines on the outside, so every time you empty it you can jot the amount in your tracker. Pick the right fit for your flow in our period cup size guide.
The information here is general in nature and doesn't replace a consultation with your GP or another health professional.
