How to Work Out When Ovulation Days Are

Essential to the reproductive cycle is ovulation, which is the monthly release of an egg from a woman's ovary. Ovulation typically occurs about the 14th day of a woman’s menstrual cycle and is the time during which she can become pregnant. If a woman does not know when she ovulates, it can become more difficult for her to conceive. For women who are committed to having a baby, it is imperative they take control of their reproductive health and learn how to recognize the signs of ovulation.

Things You'll Need

• Calendar
• Basal body thermometer
• Ovulation predictor kit

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Instructions

• 1

  Use a calendar to keep track of your menstrual cycle and your basal body temperature.

• 2

  Mark each day your period begins on the calendar. The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but it is not abnormal for cycles to vary from 21 to 35 days, so it may take a few months of documentation to determine a pattern. Generally, women begin ovulating about 14 days from the first day of their last period.

• 3

  Purchase a basal body thermometer to keep track of your basal body temperature and record that temperature on your calendar every day. The basal body temperature is defined by the Mayo Clinic as your temperature at rest when you first wake up in the morning. Over time, you’ll see what your normal body temperature is and when you notice a slight increase in your body temperature by .4 to .8 degrees Fahrenheit, that is an indicator of ovulation. You are most likely to get pregnant two to three days before your temperature is at its highest (ovulation) to 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.

• 4

  Watch for differences in the consistency of the cervical mucus. Right before ovulation, the vaginal secretions begin to resemble egg whites and are more clear and slippery. Once ovulation is over, the secretions return to a cloudy, thicker consistency or disappear altogether.

• 5

  Consider purchasing an ovulation predictor kit. Available without a prescription, you can find these kits at most pharmacies or grocery stores. The ovulation predictor kit tests your urine for the luteinizing hormone (LH) that surges just prior to ovulation. The average cost of a kit can vary from $15 to $70, as of 2010.