What? You don't keep track of your menstrual cycle? Are you CRAZY?! Tracking your period comes with a host of benefits: fertility awareness, an understanding of what's normal for your cycle, and stained-sheets prevention, to name just a few! Fortunately, there are as many period charting resources out there as there are reasons to track. Here are five of our recommendations:

1. Period Tracker

p tracker lite

It may not be the most cleverly designed or have extensive features, but as far as a basic workhorse app, Period Tracker is one of the best. There's a reason I've used this app since 2011 -- which is awesome, since all my data is in one place! Two out of three of us in the GladRags office use this app. We like it for its simplicity, great calendar view, and average cycle length stats. You can add notes and symptoms to each day to better understand the rhythms of your body during your cycle. One downside, however, is that the cute icons appear on the calendar as dots that you need to tap through to see. During the writing of this blog post, I finally ponied up the $1.99 for the full version, which offers even more (sort of ugly but highly informative) charts as well as different background options. Unfortunately, none of the background options are significantly less stereotypically "girly" than the pink flowers that come standard. Available in the iTunes store or Google Play.

2. Clue

clue

Clue is the ultimate period multi-tasker -- whether you want a lovely and minimalist period tracker, or want to ultra-nerdify your cycle. You can activate and deactivate a ton of symptom trackers, from temperature, to cravings, motivation level, and what method of collection you use (big ups to Clue for including menstrual cups!). The "Cycle" layout provides your info and projections in an easily digested quick glance (including clouds to designate PMS), while you can also switch to the more familiar calendar view. Clue brings together data collection and usability in a way that helps you genuinely understand your body more and better recognize its patterns. Learn more here.

3. Eve

eve

In addition to the plentiful menstrual cycle tracking options (from period start date to cramps to cravings) and trend plotting, Eve includes a healthy dose of sexual activity and safety tracking. You can easily track any sexual encounters by type and by the method of protection you used. There's also a community feature that allows you to interact with others on questions about health and sex. Learn more here.

4. Spot On

spot on

One of our ambassadors gave us the heads up about this cool new app from Planned Parenthood. It's still in beta, so it's not available to the general public yet (we're so jealous). Billed as a "complete data center for your uterus" this app looks like the most non-gendered app we've seen, which is pretty cool in the sea of pink period tracking apps you can download currently. In addition to the standard period tracking and fertility awareness features, Spot On features birth control reminders as well as advice for what to do if you have a birth control mistake. Learn more here.

5. Slingshot Organizer

slingshot

Go old school and track your cycle with pen and paper in a Slingshot Organizer. These classic printed books have been the go-to day planners of riot grrrls and punks for over 20 years. There's nothing fancy in the Slingshot menstrual calendar, but there's certainly something to be said for the tactile experience of writing something on actual paper. Get yours from the rad folks at Microcosm Publishing.