We've all been there: The heating pads, the ice cream, and the super-size bottle of painkillers are all signs that our periods have arrived—or will arrive any minute. It may seem that those first-day cramps are the worst thing in the world, but nothing is worse than waking up to a surprise visit from your Aunt Flo (or whatever you decide to call your period). You know, those times you're caught off-guard by your period and slowly realize why you'd been in such a horrible mood the day before or couldn't sleep without fulfilling your craving for peanut butter M&Ms.
What if we told you that there is a way your period will never surprise you again? That, in fact, you can prevent those nasty symptoms before they even get a chance to creep up on you? Period-tracking apps are the most convenient way to follow the progression of your cycle throughout the month and can even keep track of your symptoms and emotions so you know when and why you're feeling that way. We've made a list of the top-rated period-tracking apps out there, so if you want to know when to hit your local drugstore for a tampon (and snack!) run, keep reading.