
A healthy woman is only fertile for about six days of each menstrual cycle, around ovulation. Determining when ovulation occurs can help you time intercourse to give you the best chance of conceiving a baby.
To help you identify the fertile window, a range of at-home options are available. These include store-bought hormone tests and methods for monitoring temperature, time, or cervical mucus over your cycle. Downloading a fertility tracker app for your mobile device can make it easier to log your body’s changes throughout the month.
Ovulation charting methods for women
To track your fertility in the most accurate way, using a combination of all three methods may be best. This is called the symptothermal method.
Other ways to track ovulation
At-home hormone tests
Ovulation predictor tests are available without a prescription at most drug stores. These usually detect a short ovulation window, 24 to 36 hours, by testing the urine for luteinizing hormone (LH), which surges just before ovulation. The advantage of this test is that it can predict ovulation before it happens, when a woman is at her most fertile.
Ovulation pain (Mittelschmerz)
Some women can experience a very specific abdominal pain for a few hours at the time of ovulation. This is called Mittelschmerz—a German term that means “middle pain.” Women who notice these symptoms strongly should consult a healthcare professional, who may rule out more serious conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or other conditions involving the ovaries.