Steady
Menstrual cycle basics
A menstrual cycle is the span from the first day of one period to the day before the next. Length varies. Many cycles land around four weeks, but healthy ranges are wider than calendar myths suggest.
Common phases people track
- Menstruation — bleeding days; day one usually starts the count.
- Follicular phase — the body prepares an egg; energy and mood can shift.
- Ovulation — the fertile window clusters around this point for people trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy with awareness methods.
- Luteal phase — after ovulation; sleep, appetite and stress sensitivity may change.
Why context helps
Cycle day alone rarely explains a whole week. Sleep debt, training load and illness still move the needle. Looking at cycle phase beside stress and sleep notes can make patterns clearer — for example heavier fatigue in the late luteal phase after short nights.
In Steady: cycle awareness can live next to your other Apple Health signals, on device, without an account.
Limits of app-based tracking
Apps estimate timing from the data you log. They are not a guarantee of fertility status. If you need contraception or pregnancy planning advice, use methods and clinical guidance designed for that purpose.
Seek care for very heavy bleeding, severe pain, sudden cycle changes, or anything that worries you — those questions belong with a clinician.
Steady is a wellness companion, not a medical device. This guide is for everyday understanding only and is not clinical or fertility advice.