How to track your ovulation cycle?

Question

Hello,

I need to learn how to track your ovulation cycle. I need to be able to make sure that I learn how to track it well in order to know the most exact date for "baby making." My periods are regular, but as I get older (I am 32) they are not near as long as they used to be.

thank you very much,

Answer 1

Tracking Ovulation:
A woman's monthly cycle is measured from the first day of her menstrual period until the first day of her next period. On average, a woman's cycle normally is between 28-32 days, but some women may have much shorter cycles or much longer ones. Ovulation can be calculated by starting with the day the last menstrual period (LMP) starts or by calculating 12-16 days from the next expected period. Most women ovulate anywhere between Day 11 - Day 21 of their cycle, counting from the first day of the LMP. This is what many refer to as the "fertile time" of a woman's cycle, because sexual intercourse during this time increases the chance of pregnancy. Ovulation can occur at various times during a cycle, and may occur on a different day each month. It is important to track your cycle;

The Ovulation Cycle Divided into Two Parts:
The first part of the ovulation cycle is called the follicular phase. This phase starts the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) and continues until ovulation. This first half of the cycle can differ greatly for each woman lasting anywhere from 7 days until 40 days. The second half of the cycle is called the luteal phase and is from the day of ovulation until the next period begins. The luteal phase has a more precise timeline and usually is only 12-16 days from the day of ovulation. This ultimately means that the day of ovulation will determine how long your cycle is. This also means that outside factors like stress, illness, and disruption of normal routine can throw off your ovulation which then results in changing the time your period will come. So the old thought that stress can affect your period is only partly true. Stress can affect your ovulation which ultimately determines when your period will come, but stress around the time of an expected period will not make it late—it was already determined when it would come 12-16 days earlier!

Fertility Awareness is one way to track when ovulation occurs, and it includes studying the changes in cervical mucus and using a basal thermometer. Cervical fluid will change to a wet, slippery substance that resembles "egg whites" just before ovulation occurs and until ovulation is over. A basal thermometer helps track a body temperature rise, which signals that ovulation has just occurred.

Another way to track ovulation is through ovulation kits and fertility monitors. These can be Purchased Online. Tracking ovulation can help a woman get a better idea of when pregnancy can and cannot occur during her monthly cycle. Once ovulation has occurred, there is nothing you can do to increase your chances of pregnancy. Your next step is to begin watching for early pregnancy symptoms.

View and print an Ovulation Calendar to better understand your menstruation cycle and ovulation.

From the Menstrual Period to Ovulation (the details you may not know!)
When your menstrual cycle begins, your estrogen levels are low. Your hypothalamus (which is in charge of maintaining your hormone levels) sends out a message to your pituitary gland which then sends out the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This FSH triggers a few of your follicles to develop into mature eggs. One of these will develop into the dominant follicle, which will release a mature egg and the others will disintegrate. As the follicles mature they send out another hormone, estrogen. The high levels of estrogen will tell the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that there is a mature egg.

A luteinizing hormone (LH) is then released, referred to as your LH surge. The LH surge causes the egg to burst through the ovary wall within 24-36 hours and begin its journey down the fallopian tube for fertilization. The follicle from which the egg was released is called the corpus luteum, and it will release progesterone that helps thicken and prepare the uterine lining for implantation. The corpus luteum will produce progesterone for about 12-16 days (the luteal phase of your cycle.) If an egg is fertilized, the corpus luteum will continue to produce progesterone for a developing pregnancy until the placenta takes over. If fertilization does not occur the egg dissolves after 24 hours.

At this time your hormone levels will decrease and your uterine lining will begin to shed about 12-16 days from ovulation. This is menstruation (menstrual period) and brings us back to day 1 of your cycle. The journey then begins all over again.


The time of ovulation is one of the most important things a woman should understand about her body, since it is the determining factor in getting pregnant and preventing pregnancy. The process can be confusing and somewhat overwhelming when trying to understand. The Association recommends using an ovulation kit or fertility monitor to maximize your chances and to confirm when your ovulation is occuring. There are many frequently asked questions about the ovulation process, and the Association has attempted to address those for you. If you still have further questions regarding ovulation, we encourage you to either talk with your healthcare provider or contact the American Pregnancy Association for more information. Being informed on what your body does can help you feel more in charge of your health.

If you need assistance in tracking ovulation, you can order ovulation kits or ovulation monitors online: Order an Ovulation Kit now

Answer 2

Figure out when the next period is due to begin and count back 12 to 16 days. This will give you a range of days when will probably be ovulating (for women with a 28-day cycle, the 14th day is often the one). To use this method, you must know how long your cycle usually lasts.
The site listed below has an ovulation detector, all u need are the date and it will do everything for you.
http://www.babycenter.com/calculators/ovulation/

Answer 3

Actually you ovulate about 14 days "BEFORE" your next menstrual cycle is due to begin. Not every woman has a standard 28 day cycle. Begin taking your temperature every morning before you even breathe hard. Have the thermometer by your bedside. Reach over, get it, put it in your mouth. Chart the temperature. Each day do this and you will see a pattern. About 24 hours before your body releases and egg your temperature will drop about another degree. You will see a definite difference. Then is the time to have sex. Also if you want to increase your chance of conception, begin taking B6 daily. Good luck!

Answer 4

I am 32 as well & my gyno suggested I get the Clear Blue Ovulation predictor. Its pricey (cost me $200), but it tracks your cycle & tells you if your chances are low, medium or high to conceive. Also has a booklet to help you out & stores your cycle info to help you predict better. On the medium days the manual suggests sex once a day. Then on the high days it suggests sex 2x a day.

Also could try Femta.com for $30 (I think)...you input when you start your period & how long it lasts. Then based on when you have your next period it also predicts the optimum times for sex.

Answer 5

Well, first I would mark the day you start your period. Count about 14 days after that date and you'll know about what time you are ovulating. Hope that helped!

Answer 6

It's called the Basel thermometer test. You take you temp the same time everyday, BEFORE you get up and start running around. You chart your results. When you see and increase in temp and then decrease you know when you're most likely to get pregnant.

Answer 7

The woman at the reproductive age like you.normally the menstruation must be regular.In case of sickness,depression,or elderly,our body sometimes have some change,the hormonal regulation follow this situation also that's why the retardation occur for some women like you are.

Answer 8

Usually we being to ovulate about 14 days after the start of our period............Wish I could be of more assistance, but I have little to go on.......Take care, dear, and keep trying.............

Answer 9

by one of the kits

Answer 10

usually its 14days be4 and after you're period