Health Library

Reliable, easy-to-read guides for every stage of your cycle.

Plain-language health information written for real life, with the medical terms explained.

The learning guide on this page is general education based on public health and medical sources such as the NHS, with a link to each source.

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Published guides

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Cycle

Wiped out during your period? Iron deficiency is often the reason

Feeling wiped out during your period is often iron deficiency, not just fatigue. 30–50% of women in India are anaemic. Here's what to test, and what to do.

7 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Heavy periods: how to tell, why it happens, and what actually helps

About 1 in 5 women have heavy periods (menorrhagia). Iron loss is the biggest concern. Effective treatments (tranexamic acid, Mirena) exist — you don't have to just cope.

7 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cramps

Severe period pain that stops your day: it isn't "just how you are"

Cramps that stop your day aren't "just how you are". Endometriosis, adenomyosis, and fibroids all cause severe period pain — and take years to diagnose. Here's what to know.

8 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Periods that last longer than 7 days: what's going on

Periods longer than 7 days (menorrhagia) can lead to iron deficiency and often have a treatable cause — fibroids, polyps, hormone imbalance. Here's what to know.

7 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Missed period, negative test: 8 possible reasons

A missed period with a negative test is common — stress, weight changes, PCOS, and thyroid problems are the usual culprits. Here's when to just wait, and when to see a doctor.

6 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Cycles longer than 35 days: PCOS, thyroid, and anovulation

Cycles over 35 days often mean anovulation — no egg released that month. PCOS is the most common cause; treatable with lifestyle + medical help.

7 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Cycles shorter than 21 days: what "polymenorrhea" means

Cycles shorter than 21 days are called polymenorrhea. Common causes include a short luteal phase, perimenopause, and thyroid issues — all treatable.

5 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Irregular periods: 8 common causes and what to do

A little cycle variation is normal — but persistent irregularity has causes worth investigating. Here are the 8 most common, and when to see a doctor.

6 min read 7 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

When to see a gynaecologist: 10 signs you shouldn't ignore

Not sure if it's worth booking an appointment? Here are ten signs it's time to see a gynaecologist — from heavy periods to pain during sex to changes after 40.

8 min read 6 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

The four phases of your menstrual cycle, explained simply

Your cycle is more than the days you bleed. Here's a simple, plain-language guide to the four phases — and what to eat, do, and expect in each.

9 min read 6 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
PMS

PMS vs PMDD: the difference and how to manage both

PMS affects most women; PMDD (about 2–5%) is severe and interferes with daily life — and often under-diagnosed in India. Here's how to tell them apart, and what actually works for each.

8 min read 6 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
PCOS

PCOS basics: symptoms, diagnosis, and lifestyle steps that help

PCOS is a common hormonal condition — up to 1 in 5 women in India. Here's how to spot the signs, how doctors diagnose it (Rotterdam criteria), and the lifestyle and treatment steps that make a real difference.

9 min read 6 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cramps

Period cramps: why they happen and what actually helps

Period cramps happen because your uterus releases prostaglandins to shed its lining. Most are normal, but pain that stops your day is not. Here's what actually helps and when to see a doctor.

7 min read 6 Sep 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Yoga for your cycle: what actually helps (and what's just hype)

Yoga won't "detox" your hormones — but there's real evidence it eases cramps, PMS, and stress. Here's what actually works, which poses to try, and what to skip.

6 min read 28 Mar 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Mental Health

5 sleep habits that make PMS and period mood swings easier

Poor sleep worsens PMS mood, pain, and fatigue. Here are five practical, evidence-based sleep habits that work in real Indian homes — plus what's just hype.

6 min read 28 Mar 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cramps

Natural period cramp relief: what works without painkillers

Non-drug ways to ease period cramps — what actually works (heat, ginger, TENS) and what's just marketing (detox teas, essential oils).

6 min read 28 Mar 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team
Cycle

Intermittent fasting and your cycle: what women should know

Intermittent fasting can be safe for many women — but done wrong, it can stop your periods. Here's what the evidence really says, red flags to watch for, and how to start sensibly.

7 min read 28 Mar 2026 Reviewed by MyPariva Editorial Team

Learning guide

Understand your cycle in five short steps

Short explanations you can read right here, each with its source. They describe what is common, not what is normal for you: every body and every cycle is a little different.

Step 1

Understanding your cycle

Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period to the day before your next period starts. So the first day of bleeding is day 1.

For many people a period comes around every 28 days, but it’s common for cycles to be shorter or longer, from about every 21 days to every 35 days. A cycle that isn’t 28 days long isn’t a problem in itself.

A period can last between 2 and 7 days, and usually lasts about 5 days.

The cycle is driven by hormones, mainly oestrogen and progesterone, that prepare the body for a possible pregnancy in each cycle.

Sources: NHS: Periods, NHS: Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle

Step 2

The four phases

The cycle is often described in four phases. Select one to see what happens.

Menstruation (your period)

What happens: If there’s no pregnancy, oestrogen and progesterone levels fall and the lining of the womb comes away, leaving the body as a period. The first day of bleeding is day 1 of the cycle.
What some people notice: Bleeding usually lasts about 5 days, though anywhere from 2 to 7 days is common. Some people have cramps; how a period feels differs from person to person.
Good to know: Heat, gentle exercise and over-the-counter painkillers help some people with period pain. Pain that stops you doing your usual activities is worth checking with a doctor.

Follicular phase

What happens: This phase starts on the first day of your period and lasts until ovulation. Rising oestrogen helps an egg mature in the ovary and the womb lining to thicken again.
How long it lasts: It varies. Because ovulation usually happens around 10 to 16 days before the next period, this phase is often longer in longer cycles.
Good to know: It overlaps with your period: the two describe different things happening at the same time, in the womb and in the ovary.

Ovulation

What happens: An ovary releases an egg. In most people this happens around 10 to 16 days before the next period, which is around day 14 only in a 28-day cycle.
What some people notice: A few days before ovulation, vaginal discharge may become clearer and more slippery.
Good to know: It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when ovulation happens, and it can change from cycle to cycle. Calendar estimates, including those in any app, aren’t a reliable way to prevent pregnancy.

Luteal phase

What happens: After ovulation, progesterone helps the womb lining get ready for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t happen, hormone levels fall and the next period begins.
What some people notice: In the weeks before a period, some people have PMS symptoms such as mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness or headaches.
Good to know: Symptoms are different for everyone and can vary from month to month. See a doctor if they affect your daily life or lifestyle changes haven’t helped.

The ring shows the four phases as equal parts to make them easy to compare. It isn’t to scale: phase lengths and experiences differ between people and from cycle to cycle, and it doesn’t predict when you ovulate.

Sources: NHS: Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle, Cleveland Clinic: Menstrual cycle, Office on Women’s Health: Your menstrual cycle, NHS: PMS, NHS: Period pain

Step 3

Tracking your period

Writing down the day each period starts, and how long it lasts, helps you see your own pattern over a few months: how long your cycles usually are, and how much they vary. Some people also note flow and symptoms.

A record like this is also useful if you talk to a doctor about your periods.

Period and fertile-window predictions, in MyPariva or any other tracker, are estimates based on the cycles you’ve recorded. They’re not guarantees, and they’re not contraceptive advice: ovulation is hard to pinpoint and can shift from one cycle to the next.

Sources: Office on Women’s Health: Your menstrual cycle, NHS: Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle

Step 4

Mood and wellbeing

Some people notice changes in mood, energy or how their body feels at different points in their cycle. In the weeks before a period these can include feeling irritable, anxious or low, mood swings, bloating or tiredness.

These patterns differ from person to person and can change from month to month, so it helps to learn your own rather than expect a fixed pattern.

The NHS suggests keeping a diary of symptoms for at least 2 cycles. It can show whether changes follow your cycle, and it gives you something concrete to share with a doctor.

See a doctor if symptoms affect your daily life or lifestyle changes haven’t helped. If you ever feel very low or have thoughts of suicide, get urgent help straight away.

Can I track PCOS, endometriosis or other conditions?

Source: NHS: PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

Step 5

When to seek medical advice

Speak to a doctor or gynaecologist if:

your periods are heavy enough to affect your daily life, for example you need to change a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or you pass large clots
period pain stops you doing your usual activities, or your periods become more painful, heavier or irregular
the gap between periods is often shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, or a period lasts longer than 7 days
you bleed between periods

Get urgent medical help if period or pelvic pain is severe or worse than usual and painkillers haven’t helped.

This list isn’t complete, and it can’t tell you what is causing a symptom. If something about your periods worries you, it’s reasonable to ask a doctor.

Sources: NHS: Heavy periods, NHS: Period pain, NHS: Irregular periods

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Answers from our FAQ

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Sources for the learning guide

Periods NHS
Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle NHS
Your menstrual cycle Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Menstrual cycle (normal menstruation): overview and phases Cleveland Clinic
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) NHS
Heavy periods NHS
Period pain NHS
Irregular periods NHS

Links last checked 10 October 2026.

This is general health education, not medical advice. It can’t tell you what is normal for you, diagnose a condition or replace a healthcare professional. If you’re worried about your periods or symptoms, please speak to a doctor. Read our medical disclaimer.