2 Ways That Period Tracking Can Make You A Better Partner

Research reveals that tracking your partner's cycle is a must-have for your 'relationship toolbox.'

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | April 22, 2024

While several apps have mushroomed over the years to help women track their cycles, there's a significant gap in the average person's understanding of menstruation and how the underlying hormonal changes can affect humans. This lack of knowledge, which extends across genders, can cause strain in romantic relationships.

Consider, for instance, Alex and Jamie's scenario. They are both enthusiastic about spending quality time together and frequently plan date nights and adventures. However, Jamie tends to experience an extreme form of premenstrual syndrome, manifesting as irritability, emotional sensitivity and fatigue. These symptoms, peaking in the days leading up to her period, often coincide with planned activities, leading to cancellations and unmet expectations. The recurring pattern breeds misunderstanding.

Alex perceives Jamie's withdrawal and mood changes as disinterest or discontent with the relationship, while Jamie feels isolated and unsupported, exacerbating the physical and emotional discomfort of her condition. This cycle of miscommunication and missed connections underscores a crucial gap in their relationship.

Common as such misunderstandings can be, integrating menstrual cycle awareness doesn't necessarily have to feel like a chore—all it takes is getting on the same page about its importance in your relationship. Here are two quick, engaging ways to make cycle tracking fun, meaningful and valuable.

1. Turn Cycle Tracking Into A Shared Learning Experience

"Having an understanding about what's happening in your brain and body and being able to share that is a powerful tool to foster a sense of deep connection and understanding with your partner. It also allows you to communicate better," explains Rachel Moranis, co-founder and CEO of Stardust, a cycle tracking app that demystifies the hormonal underpinnings of menstruation.

For menstruating partners, it can feel like a weight lifted off their shoulders to know that their partners are actively engaged in learning about and understanding the intricacies of their menstrual cycle.

For example, we know that hormonal changes during menstruation can significantly affect sexual behavior in women. A study published in Human Nature suggests that women in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle, which is when they are most fertile, often perceive kissing as more important than women in the luteal phase, which follows ovulation.

Insights like these help partners understand shifts in emotional and physical intimacy, enabling them to adapt their behaviors and support each other better during these varying phases. This type of open communication and shared understanding can enhance relationship satisfaction and empathy, making cycle tracking a key component of maintaining a healthy and informed relationship dynamic.

With more apps like Stardust offering the option to share cycle data between partners, privacy can be a concern. Moranis has this to say:

"On our app, users must actively opt in to partner sharing, ensuring that the decision to share information is entirely theirs. The response to this feature has been overwhelmingly positive. When it comes to being in a relationship and building a life with someone, having a partner who is genuinely interested in understanding who you are and how your body works should be a given. There's a lot that people don't know, so we try to serve up scientific truths in an approachable and entertaining way—and this seems to be helping."

2. Embrace The Spiritual Connection Between Menstruation And Lunar Phases

The lunar cycle and the human menstrual cycle both average around 29.5 days, which has long fueled speculation and curiosity about the connections between celestial movements and human biology. There's some science to suggest that these two cycles might be more than coincidentally aligned.

Studies indicate that the gravitational pull of the moon, which affects the tides, could also influence human reproductive rhythms. While the evidence isn't strong enough to prove a direct influence, there seems to be a subtle interaction between the moon's cycles and menstrual cycles.

If you and your partner are intrigued by this connection and wish to explore how lunar phases might align with menstrual cycles, using an app that positions itself as a "psychospiritual companion" to women's menstrual health can be a particularly apt option.

"Most existing apps focus on counting days or predicting ovulation, and are typically founded, funded, and designed by men and large corporations. We're different in that we are an all-female team and excited about embracing the fascinating connection between our bodies and the universe," Moranis says.

There are several apps that can help track your periods, but it's up to the couple to pick the one that truly aligns with their personality and goals. It's about more than what day of the cycle the menstruating partner is on. It's about figuring out what is going on within the body at a given time and how you and your partner can use that information to grow closer and stronger together.

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.