how does one know her safe and ovulation period?

Answer 1

There is no general "safe time" that applies across the boards. Not only is every woman different, but cycles can be different as well. Methods of family planning that work by using the data from previous menstrual cycles to determine your "safe" and "fertile" times in a future cycle are a huge gamble because of that latter fact -- just because I ovulated on, say, day 15 of my last 10 cycles does *not* mean I'll ovulate on day 15 of the 11th cycle. (Things like stress, illness, sleep loss, etc. can effect ovulation.)

The best way to determine your own fertile periods is by doing the following three things, in combination: taking your basal body temperature; checking your cervical fluids; and checking the position of your cervix.

* Temperature: using a basal thermometer (available at most drug stores, costs the same as other thermometers, but is more sensitive and measures temps to the 10th of a degree, rather than to the 2/10ths most other thermometers use) you take your temperature at the same time every morning, when you first awaken -- before you get out of bed, before you speak, before you have a sip of water. The point of this? Your temperature fluctuates in accordance with hormonal variations; when you ovulate, your body experiences a surge in estrogen, causing your temperature to rise. For some women, there is also a temperature dip right before ovulation -- but that's definitely not true for all women. Note that the temperature goes up *after* ovulation has occured, so you can use this to confirm the dates, but not to predict them.

* Cervical fluids (aka cervical mucous, aka vaginal secretions): the typical progression of cervical fluids during a cycle is dry, to sticky, to creamy, to "egg-white." This last type, when the fluid has an egg-white like consistency (thick, stretchy, and usually clear) is fertile quality cervical fluid; it is "sperm friendly," as it were, and your body generally exhibits this quality of cervical fluid shortly before you ovulate. By checking your cervical fluids daily (at least once a day, more is better) you'll get clues as to whether ovulation is near.

* Cervical position -- Not all women can do this (for reasons of personal comfort levels, and also because not all women can actually reach it!) Whether your cervix is high or low, open or closed, soft or hard, will also provide clues about whether ovulation is near.

It is, in a sense, much easier to use these methods to calculate when you're fertile than it is to use them to calculate when you should avoid sex. Remember that sperm can live for several days (generally, 3-5 days) in the proper fertile environment, so using a "natural" method as birth control is very risky. Personally, I'm a strong advocate of the Fertility Awareness Method (outlined above) for determining your fertile times and trying to conceive...and definitely not an advocate of using it to avoid pregnancy.

If you're interested in Fertility Awareness I urge you to check out the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler. I also recommend the forums at http://www.tcoyf.com -- the forums are very active and the women are very helpful.

Good luck.

Answer 2

There is no "safe" time, everyone is different. Most women ovulate mid-way through their cycle.

Answer 3

I don't think there is a safe time-but ifyou would like to know the best time to try check out this site! Its my fav site to look at while I am pg and after!

Answer 4

if you have a regular menstrual cycle you call tell by the rhythm method..with this method you can take your Temp, observe your vaginal discharge ect.. wait for your safe days which for some is the first 14 days after the menstrual cycle google the rhythm method for more details a lot of info will pop up.

Answer 5

you are safe from day1 your period starts till 9 more days. total 10 days. then starts your ovulation period.at least for me that's how it works. it might differ from woman to woman as it depends on you menstrual cycle.

Answer 6

Ask a doctor

Answer 7

go to pregnancy.org and use the ovualtion calculator my love!