What Is Ovulation?
Ovulation is one phase of the menstrual cycle. It usually starts about 14 days before your next period. , a woman’s body releases a mature egg from the fallopian tube, which can then be fertilized by sperm. Once fertilized, it creates an embryo.
Once an egg is released, it’s viable (can be fertilized by sperm) for up to 24 hours. Sperm can live inside the body for up to five days, so the days leading up to ovulation are considered the most fertile.
When Do People Typically Ovulate?
People typically ovulate about halfway through their menstrual cycle, which is about two weeks before their next period. Everyone’s menstrual cycle is different, and a healthy cycle could last anywhere from 21 to 35 days. There are several ways to track your cycle to better pinpoint when you will ovulate, which Tracy Woods, a women’s health care nurse practitioner at University Health, discusses below.
Signs of Ovulation
- Changes in cervical mucus (it becomes wet and slippery)
- Bloating
- Mood changes
- Mild abdominal or pelvic pain
- Increased libido
- Breast tenderness
- Increased basal body temperature
“Not all people will experience symptoms of ovulation,” said Woods. “Using several ovulation tracking methods can be more effective in knowing when you’re ovulating.”
Why Tracking Ovulation Matters
The primary reasons for tracking ovulation are to either get pregnant or to avoid getting pregnant. “Men are fertile 24/7. Meanwhile, women are only fertile for 24 hours each month,” said Woods.
Understanding the fertility window can help individuals know when their best chance of getting pregnant and understanding their body better.
Ovulation Tracking as Natural Birth Control
Some people use ovulation tracking as a form of birth control. Theoretically, if you know exactly when you will release an egg, you can determine which days you won’t be fertile. It’s known as the rhythm or calendar method.
Ovulation tracking by itself is not the most reliable form of birth control. It can be effective when used in addition to other methods, such as condoms and the pill.
If you’re interested in other birth control options, read our blog featuring Dr. Kristen Plastino, a University Health OB/GYN.
How to Track Ovulation: Common Methods
Calendar Method
Also called the rhythm method, this involves noting on a calendar the days you are on your period. On the first day of your period, mark it on the calendar. Continue marking the days you’re on your period until it ends. You can use a physical calendar or an app on your phone.
Ovulation typically happens 12-14 days before your next period. You should track your periods on a calendar for at least six months to get the most accurate estimation of your ovulation.
Your fertility window will be the five days leading up to ovulation (since sperm can live for five days), the day of ovulation and the day after ovulation.
Cervical Mucus Method
The color and consistency of your cervical mucus changes throughout your menstrual cycle. During ovulation, it is slick and clear like an egg white. You may want to keep a diary of the appearance of your cervical mucus and notate when it changes. If you aren’t sure what to look for, your primary care provider or gynecologist can provide further guidance.
Basal Body Temperature
Basal body temperature (BBT) is the body’s lowest natural temperature after a period of rest, like sleeping. After ovulation, an individual’s BBT is as much as 1°F higher than average. Taking a BBT measurement at the same time every morning (ideally immediately after waking up) can show a pattern of increased body temperature after ovulation.
Wearable technologies, like smart rings, have simplified the data collection process for some. Regular BBT tracking (for those with a regular period) can predict a fairly accurate fertility window.
However, BBT can change depending on factors like:
- Starting or stopping certain medications
- Alcohol consumption
- Recent fever or sickness
How to Track Ovulation with an Irregular Period
“If you have an irregular period, some of these methods, like the calendar method, won’t be accurate,” said Woods. Other methods like tracking your BBT and using at-home test kits may give you a better idea of when you’re ovulating.
Woods stresses if your periods are irregular and are trying to avoid pregnancy, it’s important to use more reliable birth control methods, like condoms.
What Are the Best Tools for Ovulation Tracking?
A quick search can overwhelm you with apps to download, tools to buy and tests to take to determine your fertility window. How much of it is accurate, though?
Some of the most popular methods are:
- Ovulation tracking apps
- Ovulation kits with hormone test strips
- Wearable technology that tracks biometrics (smart rings, smartwatches, etc.)
Many of these methods integrate with each other. For example, data collected using wearable technology (for example, an Oura ring) can be viewed on fertility apps like Flo and Clue. Some ovulation tracking apps, like Premom, sell ovulation test kits. The results of the test strips can be viewed and logged in the app to build your library of health data, from which fertility window predictions can be made.
Ovulation Tracking Apps
Many ovulation tracking apps integrate with at-home ovulation test kits, wearable technology and basal body temperature thermometers. By collecting these biometrics, plus using data about your previous periods, the apps chart your menstrual cycle and predict your fertility window.
Woods warns against one thing about apps, saying, "all period apps put you 28 days, automatically. Each person has to adjust the settings to their cycle for more accuracy."
One other thing to note is that these apps are not HIPAA-compliant, and may sell users’ personal health data and allow third-party tracking.
Wearable Technology
Wearable health trackers and smartwatches track loads of health data, including:
- Heart rate
- Blood oxygen
- Steps taken
- Body temperature
- Time asleep
By detecting an increase in your body temperature, these technologies can predict when your next period will start. These predictions aren’t always 100% accurate, so they should be used in conjunction with other tracking methods and/or birth control.
Ovulation Test Kits
At-home ovulation urine tests measure one or more hormones that are present when you’re ovulating:
- Estrogen
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- PdG (Pregnanediol Glucuronide, urine metabolite of progesterone)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
During ovulation, these hormones will spike, indicating you are likely ovulating. However, these tests are not 100% accurate.
Woods recommends that, if you are also using an app, you take an ovulation test to compare results.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Make an appointment with your OB/GYN if you:
- Are under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for more than 12 months
- Go months without getting a period but are not pregnant
- Have questions about fertility, family planning, birth control or anything else
Women’s Health Care at University Health
Schedule an appointment with a University Health women’s health care expert today.
From annual exams to health screenings and prenatal care, you can find compassionate care at any of our women’s health clinics located across San Antonio, Texas.
We are also the region’s only hospital dedicated to the care of women and children, the Women’s & Children’s Hospital is uniquely suited to cater to the needs of women in every stage of their pregnancy journey.
Community Resources
Whether you receive care from us or not, you can find valuable community resources related to women's health through our Institute for Public Health.
