The first day of your period is the first day of your cycle. Most women are able to discern when it begins, even if they tend to have light periods, so you should have no trouble knowing when to start your period cycle chart. Doing this will help you keep track of how long your cycle is, and help you figure out the days on which you ovulate.

As with most things, every woman is different, but the standard menstrual cycle is 28 days. If yours is longer or shorter by a few days, don't worry, that's perfectly normal. To calculate how long the cycle is, simply count how many days there are between getting one period and getting the next one. On the first day of each period, a new cycle begins.

How Do I Find Out When I Ovulate?

First, visit our ovulation calendar, and then make a note of your periods. After a few months, you will most likely begin to see a pattern of when you menstruate. Count back 14 and then 16 days from the expected day of the following period, and these are the days you have the highest chances of conceiving a baby -- the days right before and right after you ovulate. This is when you're at peak fertility, so plan accordingly. Ovulation cycles and dates differ from woman to woman, so your calculations may be slightly off if your ovulation cycle is under three weeks long, continues longer than 35 days, or if your menstruation patterns are unpredictable. The most personalized and reliable information you can get will come from your doctor, who will be able to help you pinpoint the best time of the month for you to try to conceive.