Saalt

Spotting and periods can confuse even the most cycle-savvy folks, but knowing the differences empowers your reproductive health. Spotting is light, irregular bleeding—often pink, brown, or rusty smudges lasting 1-2 days, without needing pads or tampons. True periods bring heavier red flow, small clots, cramps, and bloating, lasting 3-7 days with protection changes. Common spotting triggers include ovulation (mid-cycle estrogen dips), hormonal birth control adjustments, stress, intense exercise, perimenopause, or infections like STIs. Implantation bleeding in early pregnancy appears light and brief, 6-12 days post-ovulation. Track your cycle: Log day 1 as real flow requiring products, note color/volume, and tag contexts like "new meds" or "stress." Apps help spot patterns—essential for fertility or perimenopause. Worry if spotting persists over a week, follows sex/menopause, or includes pain, fever, or odor—consult a healthcare provider to rule out polyps, fibroids, ...

Ever noticed a surge in your sex drive right around the middle of your menstrual cycle? You're not imagining it—it's likely your body's clever way of signaling peak fertility. Around day 14 of a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation kicks in, driven by rising estrogen levels that boost confidence, mood, and physical sensitivity. This hormone peaks just before egg release, increasing blood flow to sensitive areas and heightening arousal. Adding to the mix, a slight testosterone spike enhances desire, making you feel more social and intimate. From an evolutionary standpoint, this mid-cycle libido boost makes sense: it encourages conception during your most fertile window, lasting about 2-3 days (though some feel it for up to a week). Track signs like clear, stretchy cervical mucus, a basal body temperature rise, or mild pelvic twinges (mittelschmerz) to pinpoint it. After ovulation, progesterone rises, often cooling things down. Not everyone experiences this—stress, health, or post...