How to Track Ovulation

Ovulation

How to Track Ovulation

Deciding to have children is such an exciting step. But, most couples try for at least six months before they finally see that little positive sign on a pregnancy test. You can speed up the process if you start tracking your cycle so you can try to get pregnant when you have best chance. If you’re wondering how to track ovulation, start with these steps.

Understanding your menstrual cycle

Before you can understand how to track ovulation, you must understand your menstrual cycle. The first step is to measure it, starting on day one – the first day of your period – and ending the day before your next period begins.

Most women’s cycles are about 28 days long, but it’s also normal if your cycle is a little bit shorter or longer. Say you get your period on February 1. If your next period starts on March 1, then your cycle is 28 days long. Keep track for a few months to calculate the average length of your cycle. You can mark your calendar or download an app like Flo or Clue that predicts your cycle for you.

What is ovulation?

When you ovulate, one of your ovaries releases an egg into the fallopian tube, where it’s ready to be fertilized. If the egg isn’t fertilized, your period arrives, meaning the egg descends out through your vagina and your uterus sheds its lining.

When is ovulation?

You typically ovulate two weeks before your period. So, if your last period started on February 1, and your cycle tends to be 28 days long, you would ovulate around February 14. But, you are also likely to conceive in the five days before you ovulate. That means if you expect to ovulate on February 14, you should start having sex on February 9. By February 15, you would have a much lower chance of getting pregnant.

How to track ovulation

To recap: Measure the length of time between your periods to find out the average length of your cycle. You should ovulate two weeks before your next expected period, and your fertile window starts five days before you ovulate.

To be even more certain you don’t miss your fertile window, try TestSure’s ovulation test kit. It’s a great way to supplement your period tracking because it tells you accurately, easily, and simply whether you’re ovulating.