How to track ovulation when you're trying to conceive
If you have just started trying to conceive, welcome to the slightly bizarre world of becoming an expert in your own cycle.
Your fertile window
Your fertile window is roughly the 6 days ending on the day of ovulation, but your egg itself is only viable for 12 to 24 hours. Sperm can survive up to 5 days in the right conditions, which is why timing sex in the days before ovulation matters so much.
Ways to track ovulation
Ovulation predictor kits test your urine for a surge in luteinising hormone, which happens 24 to 36 hours before ovulation. Basal body temperature rises slightly after ovulation and stays raised until your next period, so it confirms ovulation after it has happened.
Cervical mucus typically becomes clearer, stretchier, and more slippery in the days before ovulation. Cycle tracking apps can help spot patterns over time, especially combined with OPKs or mucus observations, though app predictions alone are the least accurate method on their own.
- Ovulation predictor kits
- Basal body temperature
- Cervical mucus changes
- Cycle tracking apps
The reality
Cycles can vary month to month, even in people with generally regular periods. Stress, travel, illness, and countless other factors can shift ovulation earlier or later than expected. Try not to rely on a single method or a single perfect day.
If you have been trying for 12 months without success, or 6 months if you are over 35, it is worth speaking to your GP. You are not being impatient; you are being proactive.