Cycle, Hormone and Tracking Terms, Defined Plainly
The vocabulary around cycles and the menopause transition is inconsistent, and that makes it harder to describe what is happening to you. These are the definitions HarmoFlux uses, in one place.
Written by The HarmoFlux editorial team at Panzica Technologies Inc.. Last reviewed . Editorial standards.
Educational information based on cited authoritative sources. Not individually reviewed by a medical professional, and not medical advice.
- Menstrual cycle
- The recurring hormonal cycle counted from the first day of one period to the day before the next. Cycle length varies between people and can change across life stages.
- Cycle day
- The number of days since the first day of your current period. Day 1 is the first day of bleeding.
- Perimenopause
- The transition before menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate and cycles usually become irregular. It commonly lasts several years. Perimenopause guide.
- Menopause
- The point marked by 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It is identified in hindsight, once those 12 months have passed.
- Postmenopause
- The years after menopause has been reached. Some symptoms ease, while others, such as sleep changes, can continue. Postmenopause guide.
- Hot flash
- A sudden feeling of heat, often in the face, neck and chest, sometimes with flushing and sweating. When it happens during sleep it is usually called a night sweat. Hot flashes.
- Night sweat
- A hot flash that occurs during sleep, often intense enough to wake you. Night sweats.
- Brain fog
- A non-clinical term for difficulty concentrating, recalling words or holding attention. It is commonly reported during the menopause transition. Brain fog.
- Symptom log
- A dated record of what you experienced and how strongly. In HarmoFlux a log entry is your own observation, not a clinical measurement. Symptom tracker.
- Adherence
- Whether a medication or supplement was actually taken as intended. HarmoFlux records what you marked as taken and when, nothing more. Medication tracking.
- Doctor summary
- A condensed view of your own entries over a chosen period, made to share at an appointment. It contains no diagnosis and no interpretation. Health summary for your doctor.
- Correlation
- Two things showing up around the same time in your data. Correlation is not cause: HarmoFlux records timing and never claims that something you took produced a symptom. Accuracy and limitations.
- Calendar-based estimate
- A projection made only from the dates you logged. It is arithmetic on past cycles, not a physiological prediction, and it must never be used for contraception.
- Data minimization
- Collecting only the information a feature actually needs. It is the principle behind what HarmoFlux asks for at sign-up. Privacy and security.
- Subprocessor
- A third-party service that processes data on our behalf, such as hosting or payments. HarmoFlux lists its subprocessors in the privacy policy. Privacy policy.
These definitions are educational and are not medical advice. For anything about your own health, speak with a qualified clinician.