Figuring Out When You Ovulate

Menstrual-cycle lengths vary quite a bit from woman to woman. You can have a cycle lasting anywhere between 21 and 35 days and still fall in the "normal" range. Luteal-phase lengths don't vary nearly as much. They generally last between 10 and 16 days, but the average is 14 days. This average is so common that assuming this is the length of your own luteal cycle is a pretty safe bet, if you're looking to find out a very good approximate ovulation date. 

When you use this formula, keep in mind that your fertile window — the time during which you can potentially get pregnant — lasts around seven days. Sperm cells can and do survive within the female reproductive system for up to six days. If you have intercourse in the period immediately preceding ovulation, they will be waiting to fertilize that egg before you even ovulate.

Having intercourse every day or every other day throughout the cycle (excluding menstruation) will generally give you a good chance of pregnancy. Having frequent intercourse in the days immediately prior to ovulation is certainly better than missing that window if you're not one to do the deed all the time, so this formula can absolutely boost your pregnancy odds.

Your ovulation calculator can be more accurate if you give it a little more info, though. You can do this by watching out for your body's natural ovulation signs. 

Cervical Mucus

Every woman produces cervical mucus. Checking it may sound gross, but it is both free and convenient. Here is what you can expect during a cycle, roughly:

1. Menstrual flow.
2. Brownish mucus containing some menstrual fluids
3. As ovulation draws closer, you'll see more cervical mucus that's fairly moist. It may be creamy in color, but liquid in consistency.
4. Right before and during ovulation, your cervical mucus will have the feel and look of raw egg whites. It will be copious, and slippery.
5. During the luteal phase, there is less cervical mucus. It will also be creamy, thick, and not very moist. 
6. Back to menstrual flow... if you don't get pregnant.

Women can get the best idea of what's normal for them by checking their mucus every day. Wash your hands first, and then insert two fingers and examine the look, feel, and quantity of your mucus. When you spot that notorious "egg-white cervical mucus" or "fertile mucus", make a note in your journal and write down on what cycle day you saw it (in other words, how many days after the first day of your menstrual period).

Ovulation Pain And Bleeding, And Fertility Charting

A minority of women experience a distinctly unpleasant feeling around the time of their ovulation. Known as ovulation pain or Mittelschmerz, this irritating monthly symptom may be extremely helpful when you are trying to conceive. Ovulation pain occurs roughly in the middle of the menstrual cycle (when you're ovulating!) and lasts from minutes to hours. It's felt on one side.

Some women also experience ovulation bleeding in addition to ovulation pain. Associated with the rupture of the follicle, it appears right after ovulation and is very minimal. Unless you check your cervical mucus regularly, it's easy to miss. If you do catch it, it will appear as a little streak of brown or pink in your mucus. 

Finally, some women chart their basal body temperature to find out when they ovulate. The basic idea is that your temperature rises slightly when you ovulate, and remains elevated throughout your luteal phase. The difference is only a quarter to half a degree Celsius or a half to one degree Fahrenheit, but it's a noticeable change. Your basal body temperature (BBT) is the temperature your body attains in a state of rest.

See Also: Diabetes In Pregnancy: How To Avoid It

Taking your temperature every morning can give you great insights into your menstrual cycle. It can also be annoying. If you're not up for doing that every day, calculating your ovulation with the help of basic cycle data and a quick look at your cervical mucus will certainly be quite enough.