Why Your Period is Your 5th Vital Sign (And What It’s Telling You)

Why Your Period is Your 5th Vital Sign (And What It’s Telling You)


For ages I really did try to ignore my period. I used to think it was just something to get through every month, put my head down, push through the cramps, and get on with life.

But everything changed when I started tracking my cycle.

I began noticing patterns. When my energy was high, when I felt snappy for no reason, when I craved certain foods, even when my sleep changed. Suddenly it felt like my period wasn’t just “happening” to me: it was giving me clues about what my body needed.

And then I learned something that blew my mind: your menstrual cycle is actually considered your 5th vital sign.

Wait, what’s a vital sign?

When you go to the doctor, the first thing they check is your temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Those are your four vital signs — the basic measures that show how your body is functioning.

But in 2015, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists declared that the menstrual cycle should be treated as the fifth vital sign for people with periods. That means your period is just as important a measure of health as those other four.

Think about that for a second. Your period isn’t just a monthly inconvenience, it’s one of your body’s most powerful feedback systems.

What your cycle is telling you

Your period is like a monthly health report, and once you start paying attention, you can learn so much about what your body needs.

Cycle length: your hormone health report

  • 21–35 days: Generally healthy range

  • Shorter than 21 days: Could indicate stress, thyroid issues, or perimenopause

  • Longer than 35 days: Might signal PCOS, stress, or hormone imbalance

  • Completely irregular: Often points to underlying health conditions that need attention

Flow intensity: your body’s stress indicator

  • Light flow: Could mean low oestrogen, over-exercising, or under-eating

  • Heavy flow: Might signal fibroids, endometriosis, or hormone imbalances

  • Sudden changes: Your body’s way of flagging that something has shifted

Period pain: your inflammation alarm

  • Mild cramping: Normal as your uterus contracts

  • Severe pain: Could indicate endometriosis, fibroids, or high inflammation

  • Pain that interferes with daily life: Not something to ignore, worth discussing with a healthcare provider

Colour changes: your circulation story

  • Bright red: Healthy, fresh flow

  • Dark brown: Normal at start or end of period when flow is slower

  • Pale or watery: Could indicate low iron or nutrient deficiencies

  • Grey or unusual colours: Should be checked with a healthcare provider

The life stages your period reveals

Your cycle tells different stories depending on where you are in life:

  • Teens: Irregular cycles can be normal for the first 2 years, but persistent issues might need attention

  • Twenties & thirties: Cycles should be fairly predictable. Only about 13% of women have a “perfect” 28-day cycle, most range from 21–35 days. Watch for consistent changes, as they often reflect stress or lifestyle shifts

  • Late thirties & forties: This is when many women start noticing changes as perimenopause begins, cycles may get shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter. These are often early signs of hormonal shifts

How to start listening to your body

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight: small, consistent changes make a big difference.

Track your cycle: Note the first day of your period, flow, symptoms, mood, and energy levels. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns.

Support your body: Warm water, cooked foods, and easy-to-digest meals can support your digestion and hormones. My Ayurvedic mum would always remind me that during your period you should avoid cold water and cold foods, they dampen your “digestive fire,” which can make cramps worse and slow things down.

Reduce stress: Even 10 minutes a day of quiet time, journaling, or gentle movement can calm your nervous system and ease symptoms.

Notice changes early: A heavier flow, more pain, or a completely missed period is your body’s way of saying “something needs attention.”

Why this matters

Your period gives you twelve chances a year to check in with your health. When I stopped ignoring my period and started respecting it, everything shifted. Instead of being frustrated with my body, I started working with it.

I could plan my life better, give myself more rest when I needed it, and be more productive when my energy was high. And honestly? My periods got lighter, my PMS got easier, and I finally stopped dreading that time of the month.

The bottom line

Our periods aren’t something to dread. They’re a monthly signal that your body is working hard to keep you balanced.

When we start listening to those signals, we can support our health, reduce symptoms, and even feel more at ease throughout the month.

This is what I want for all of us. To feel more connected to our bodies, to understand what they’re telling us, and to have the right tools to support ourselves through every phase of the cycle.

With love,
Rupal x


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