How to Know You Are Ovulating

Ovulation is the fertile time of a woman's menstrual cycle. Its timing varies from woman to woman, though the menstrual cycle is typically 28 days. Knowing when you are ovulating will help you determine the best time to have sexual intercourse in order to get pregnant or not.

Step 1

Record your menstrual cycle for several months. Use a calendar where you can make a note of the first day you have menstruation and the first day of next period bleeding. Count the first day as number one and count until the day before the next menstrual period started. The result is your menstrual cycle or cycle length. If the woman's cycle is 28 days, ovulation is most likely be on the 14th day, starting from the first day of her menstruation. If she has irregular period with menstrual cycle between 21 to 35 days, she can determine when she is fertile by doing the following:

1) Count the menstrual cycle for several months based on the calendar record.
2) Know the shortest cycle length (i.e. 25 days) and the longest cycle length (i.e. 33 days) during such months.
3) Follow the equations to know her range of fertile days (i.e.
Day 6 to Day 22) :

a) To determine the first day of her fertile period (i.e. Day 6) is by subtracting 19 from her shortest cycle (i.e. 25 days).
b) To determine the last day of her fertile period (i.e. Day 22) is by subtracting 11 from her longest cycle (i.e. 33).

Step 2

Keep a record of your daily body temperature. When you wake up, take your temperature before doing anything, even getting out of bed. Use a basal body temperature (BBT) or digital thermometer. Keep it in your mouth for at least five minutes and write down the result. Your body temperature will probably increase by 0.4 to 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit quickly before, during or right after you ovulate. Releasing an egg triggers the production of hormone progesterone causing the body temperature to rise. You need to do this method for several months in order to obtain an established pattern of your ovulation.

Step 3

Take note of the cervical mucous changes by writing down the type of discharge you observe during your range of fertile days. When a woman is ovulating, hormonal changes occur that cause cervical mucous changes, which cause vaginal wetness. When you feel such wetness, check the mucous before urinating. Wipe your vagina with your fingertips or toilet paper. Recognize and record the type of discharge you get so you can predict your time of ovulation. If the mucous is sticky cloudy-white or yellowish discharge, you start to be fertile. If the mucous becomes clear and looks like uncooked egg whites consistently, it means you are about to ovulate and you are most fertile during this time. You are not considered fertile when you see a very little vaginal discharge during the first few days after your period bleeding.

Step 4

Look for other symptoms of ovulation, such as breast tenderness, light spotting, increase in sexual drive and lower abdominal discomfort. These symptoms may vary from woman to woman. Keep a record of these symptoms together with the mucous changes.

Tips

You can also use ovulation calculator if you want. When taking body temperature, be reminded that conditions, such as illness, emotional tension, stomach upset, lack of sleep or irregular sleep hours, electric blankets or water beds, and medications, may affect and alter your body temperature.

Resources:

Natural Family Planning
Baby Center
Wellsphere
Ovulation Calculator
A Forum for Women's Health