4 Ways To Track Your Ovulation

Ovulation is a process where the matured egg/ ovum is released from the ovaries. This egg can stay in the uterus for fertilization for 12-24 hours. For a 28 days cycle, ovulation takes place on the 14th day. The fertile window for a 28-day cycle starts from day 10. Tracking your ovulation when trying to conceive help you understand the right time to have sex for a successful pregnancy.

4 ways to track ovulation include:

• Noticing changes in your body

The rise in the estrogen levels in the body leads to the release of the ovum followed by the increase in progesterone levels. The rise in progesterone levels leads to an increase in basal body temperature. The hormonal changes in the body also lead to change in the vaginal mucus. The vaginal mucus tends to have a texture that’s clear, thinner, and sticky.

• Maintaining an ovulation calendar

Keep a track of your ovulation by maintaining a calendar. Use a digital ovulation tracker or consult your doctor to know your fertile window. Since the sperm can stay in the uterus for around 5 days it is best to start having sex 4-5 days before ovulation.

• Using an ovulation predictor test kit

This is a urine-based test that can help you predict your fertile window by measuring the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. The LH levels are the highest during the fertile period. The time you think you will be ovulating start taking this test and continue for a few days to pin the day when the LH levels are at their peak.

• Using a progesterone ovulation test kit

This is a urine-based test that measures the pregnanediol glucuronide (progesterone metabolite) levels. This progesterone metabolite rises 24-36 hours post ovulation. You can start using this test kit before the anticipation of the menstrual cycle and keep a track of the metabolite levels throughout the menstrual cycle.

Advice: Consult your doctor throughout when trying to conceive to plan a smooth successful pregnancy.