A newly launched digital menstrual cycle calculator promises to empower women to better plan their activities around the changing phases of their monthly cycle. Developed by ‘monthlies’, a company specialising in menstrual health, the tool offers a tailored approach to scheduling anything from fitness routines and important meetings to date nights and social outings, based on individual cycle patterns.
This novel calculator allows women to enter their average cycle length alongside the start date of their most recent period. Drawing on this information, the tool predicts which days women are likely to feel their best—energised, confident, or even sociable—while also highlighting potential days to rest or avoid intense activities. The creators hope it will remove much of the guesswork from living with a menstrual cycle and encourage women to optimise their daily lives according to their own rhythms.
The impetus to develop such a tool came after a study of 5,000 UK women revealed the significant impact periods have on everyday life. Findings showed that 51% of those surveyed feel their menstrual cycle exerts considerable control over their decisions, ranging from which clothes to wear to how active they feel, or even when to arrange sexual encounters. Notably, 32% of respondents admitted that their sexual lives are affected by their cycles, and 21% noticed changes in diet depending on the time of the month.
Further, the research suggested women often arrange social engagements, sleep, and professional commitments with their cycles in mind. The unpredictable nature of period symptoms means that awareness and preparedness can help women thrive personally and professionally, rather than being caught off guard by discomfort or changes in mood.
A spokesperson for ‘monthlies’ emphasised the importance of personal experience, noting, “Every woman’s journey with her menstrual cycle is unique. This tool provides an average guide, but it’s crucial for each individual to recognise what works for her personally—whether that’s managing pain, tracking emotional shifts, or identifying windows of peak confidence and productivity.”
Crucially, the study highlighted that over half of those suffering from period pain could predict, with accuracy, the days each cycle when discomfort would be most pronounced. Pain, worryingly, is not limited to menstruation itself; 91% of women reported noticeable discomfort around ovulation (the mid-point of the cycle), with 63% experiencing pain for more than two days in succession.
Mood swings and fluctuations in energy levels were also a recurring theme. Roughly two-thirds of women acknowledged shifts in their mood across the month, whilst nearly 60% said their energy was unpredictable—often influencing their approach to exercise and social commitments. Despite these challenges, most participants said they aim to maintain an active lifestyle throughout the cycle.
Nonetheless, the data shows there are moments during a typical cycle when women reach a sense of peak wellbeing. Days 11 to 15 are reported to be optimal, with heightened energy and confidence levels. These days are favoured for everything from shopping and socialising to feeling most attractive. Interestingly, OnePoll findings suggest that day 12 stands out as the day respondents most often feel in the mood for intimacy.
Commenting further, the company’s representative stated, “Having a period is not solely a negative experience—there are times when it can actually be empowering. Knowledge about the cycle and listening to one’s body is invaluable. Everyone’s cycle is different, so understanding personal patterns can turn what is often seen as a challenge into an opportunity for self-care and confidence.”
In light of this research and the launch of the calculator, there is growing recognition of the need for open conversations and innovative solutions in menstrual health. By providing accessible tools and encouraging self-education, organisations like ‘monthlies’ hope to reduce stigma, support individual empowerment, and help women embrace their unique biological rhythms.
The emergence of such resources represents a step forward in women’s health, aiming not just to manage symptoms, but to harness the strengths that different stages of the menstrual cycle can offer.