7 methods to track your ovulation

If you’re a woman reading this, you’re probably in that stage of life when you’re seriously thinking about your fertility. Now, thinking about fertility goes two ways. It’s either you’re doing it to avoid getting pregnant, or you’re ready to get pregnant and start a family. Either way, it all starts with knowing how to track your ovulation.

Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary for fertilization. It is part of the menstrual cycle and plays a major role in determining a woman’s fertility. Now, according to verywellfamily, ovulation tracking is a method of natural family planning or a fertility awareness method.

Whether trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy, every woman should know how to track her ovulation. And that’s what this piece is all about.

Table of Content hide 1How to track ovulation 1.11. Calendar method 1.22. Basal Body Temperature method 1.33. Cervical mucus method 1.44. Sympto-Thermal Method 1.55. Cervical position method 1.66. Ovulation predictor kits 1.77. Saliva ferning Tests 2How to track ovulation to avoid pregnancy 3How to track ovulation to get pregnant 4How to track ovulation with irregular periods

How to track ovulation

The following are 7 methods to track your ovulation:

1. Calendar method

The calendar method, also called the standard days’ method, uses the typical length of your menstrual cycle and the date of your last period to predict when you’re most likely to ovulate. A typical menstrual cycle is between 21 and 35 days long, and the average luteal phase is 14 days. A luteal phase is a time between ovulation and the first day of your next period. It can be anywhere from 10 to 15 days long.

Meanwhile, the calendar method often works for those who have regular periods. Even at that, it’s not 100% accurate. It’s normal for regular periods to vary from time to time. So it’s always advisable to track the length of your menstrual cycle for at least six periods to get an accurate representation. Luckily there are several apps to download to make it easier for you (thank you, 21st century).

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2. Basal Body Temperature method

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is your internal temperature when you first wake up in the morning. Your BBT typically changes throughout your menstrual cycle. It is usually lower before ovulation (between 96-98° F) and higher after ovulation (between 97-99° F). The increase in progesterone levels causes an increase in your body’s temperature.

To effectively use the BBT method, take your temperature each morning before you get out of bed, to detect a shift in your BBT. If your BBT is high and sustained for at least three days, it’s a good indication that you’re ovulating. However, it’s recommended that you chart your BBT for at least three months to get an accurate prediction of your fertile window. Oh, you can track your BBT using a thermometer.

3. Cervical mucus method

Cervical mucus is actually your vaginal discharge, secreted by glands found in and around your cervix. It serves two purposes – to prevent things from entering your uterus through your cervix outside your fertile window; to “clear way” for the sperm to fertilize the egg in your uterus sharp sharp.

The cervical mucus comes in different volumes, colours, and textures throughout your menstrual cycle. Drier, stickier cervical mucus typically means you’re not ovulating. Wetter and thinner cervical mucus usually indicates that you’re ovulating. For a simpler understanding, note the following:

• Mucus is dry or sticky – not ovulating
• Mucus is creamy – ovulation may be coming
• Mucus is wet and watery – ovulation is very close
• Mucus is very wet, stretchy, and resembles raw egg whites – ovulation has occurred.

To track your ovulation using this method, all you have to do is check your mucus every day. Yeah, you may be squeamish about inserting your finger down there, but it’s necessary. Only make sure your hands are clean before inserting to avoid infections. Meanwhile, this method is most effective when combined with the BBT method.

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4. Sympto-Thermal Method

The Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) combines the calendar, BBT, and cervical mucus methods. STM has an efficacy rate of 99.6%, making it the most accurate fertility awareness-based method. This is because each of the three methods relies on different signs to predict your fertile window. It’s a great backup method you can trust if your hormones are out of track due to illness or stress, which can affect the accuracy of other methods.

5. Cervical position method

The position of your cervix changes throughout your menstrual cycle. This also includes the firmness and openness. Your cervix is firmer, closed, and sits lower in your vagina at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. However, as you approach your ovulation, your cervix moves up higher, opens slightly, and becomes softer to the touch. To track your ovulation using this method, wash your hands thoroughly, find a good position that can allow you access to your cervix, and insert your middle or index finger into your vagina to reach your cervix and record your findings.

6. Ovulation predictor kits

Ovulation predictor kits are considered the most effective way to track your ovulation. They look like home pregnancy urine test kits. Ovulation test strips measure your luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and show a particular colour when these levels surge. LH is responsible for causing your ovaries to release an egg during ovulation. A surge in LH levels usually means that you will ovulate within 12 to 36 hours. However, it is recommended to use these test strips daily to get the best results.

7. Saliva ferning Tests

Did you know you can track your ovulation using your saliva? It’s called saliva ferning. Here, your saliva undergoes chemical changes during your fertile window. When dried, fern-like crystals appear in your saliva, which typically means you’re ovulating, which occurs from 24 to 72 hours after the crystal formations are first detected. To use this method, place a drop of saliva onto a lens. After five minutes, use a viewing scope to see if the fern-like crystals are present.

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How to track ovulation to avoid pregnancy

The best way to track your ovulation to avoid pregnancy is by using the STM method. You will also have to be able to track your menstrual cycle first. Take the following steps to find out:

• Mark the first day of your period with an X on your calendar.
• Mark the first day of your next period with another X.
• Count the number of days between the two Xs. Those days are the length of your menstrual cycle.

As previously stated, it’s normal for your cycle to vary from time to time. This is why it is recommended to track your cycle for at least six months for more accuracy. To know your fertile days, follow the steps below:

• Find the longest and shortest cycles from your calendar. Your longest might be 31 days, and your shortest might be 28 days.
• Subtract 18 days from your shortest cycle to find out the first day of your fertility window. For instance, if your cycle is 28 days and you subtract 18 from 28, it means the first day of your fertility window is the 10th day of your cycle.
• To find the last day of your fertility window, subtract 11 days from your longest cycle. Let’s say your longest cycle is 31 days, and you subtract 11 from 31; it means the 20th day of your cycle is when your fertile window ends.
• To avoid pregnancy, simply avoid having sex during those days that indicate your fertile window or use protection.

How to track ovulation to get pregnant

Follow the steps above and have unprotected sex when you’re fertile.

How to track ovulation with irregular periods

You may not be able to track your ovulation effectively if you’re experiencing irregular periods. However, it’s doing so don’t lose hope especially if you’re hoping to get pregnant.

Doing manual tracking of your ovulation will definitely be stressful when your cycle is unpredictable. Luckily, ovulation predictor kits will do the job for you. The only downside is you will have to use the kits all the time to detect when you’re ovulating.

Finally, if you’re hoping to get pregnant with irregular period and are tired of tracking your ovulation, then zero your mind towards having sex regularly, if possible, every day to increase your chances. If you’re not ready for the pregnancy journey, then use these methods listed above to avoid “God, why me?”

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