Editorial Standards

1. Mission

Cycle Atlas provides transparent, range-first menstrual cycle planning. Our editorial standards ensure every estimate, disclaimer, and explanation is accurate, honest about uncertainty, and clearly separated from medical advice.

2. Calculation Methodology

Next Period Range

Center date = most recent period start + typical cycle length.
Range = center date ± selected variability (1–7 days).

Period Dates

Expected period spans period length days starting from each predicted period start.

Fertile Window (Simplified Calendar Estimate)

Highlighted approximately 14 days before the next expected period start, spanning ~6 days. This is a population-level calendar heuristic, not a personalized ovulation prediction. Biology varies; luteal phase length differs between individuals and cycles.

Three-Cycle Forecast

Each subsequent cycle adds variability. The forecast shows widening ranges to visualize accumulating uncertainty. Beyond 2–3 cycles, estimates become unreliable for planning.

3. Uncertainty Communication

• Every prediction is labeled "expected range" — never "exact date"
• Range width is displayed numerically and visually on the calendar
• Forecast cards explicitly state uncertainty increases over time
• Variability selector forces users to acknowledge their cycle regularity

4. Health Disclaimer Placement

• Homepage hero: "Dates are signals, not certainties"
• Safety section: Dedicated prominent block with medical disclaimer
• Terms of Use: Legally binding medical disclaimer
• FAQ: Each answer reinforces limitations
• Footer: "Not medical advice" on every page

5. Separation of Calculation & Medical Decisions

We never imply that calendar output should drive health choices. Language consistently uses:

• "Estimate", "range", "expected", "planning" — never "prediction", "confirmation", "guarantee"
• "Consult a qualified clinician" for any medical concern
• "Pregnancy tests and clinical guidance are more reliable"

6. Source Transparency

• Calculation logic is visible in client-side JavaScript (/app.js, /core.js)
• No proprietary algorithms or black-box models
• Methodology based on standard calendar methods documented in reproductive health literature

7. Review & Update Process

• Annual review of all health disclaimers and calculation explanations
• Immediate update if calculation logic changes
• Medical disclaimer language reviewed against current best practices
• Version history maintained in page meta tags

8. Correction Policy

If an error is identified in calculations, disclaimers, or explanations:

1. Fix deployed within 48 hours for calculation errors
2. Fix deployed within 7 days for content/wording improvements
3. Users notified via site banner if correction affects saved data interpretation
4. Correction log maintained in page meta

Report errors to citysoulsound@gmail.com with page URL and description.

9. Independence

Cycle Atlas has no affiliation with pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, fertility clinics, or healthcare providers. No sponsored content. Advertising (if approved) is served by Google AdSense and clearly distinguished from editorial content.

10. Accessibility

We follow WCAG 2.1 AA: semantic HTML, sufficient contrast, keyboard navigation, ARIA labels on interactive elements, text alternatives for visual calendar indicators.