Ovulation is a phase of the menstrual cycle that involves the release of an egg (ovum) from one of the ovaries. Understanding how to track ovulation can help you pinpoint your fertile window, which is essential for anyone trying to conceive as it can help determine the best days to have intercourse and ultimately increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Many people rely on apps to determine when they are ovulating or when to expect a period. While this can help estimate a timeline, an app cannot accurately predict when you are going to ovulate, so let’s look at some more accurate methods to determine your ovulation window.

Top tips to track ovulation

• Use an ovulation predictor kit (OPK): These kits work by detecting a surge in Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in your urine 12-36 hours prior to ovulation.

For most people with a regular 28-30 day cycle, you can begin testing on day 10 of your cycle, checking urine daily, following the kits instructions until you determine an LH surge. For anyone with shorter or irregular cycles , this window would need to be adjusted to ensure you don’t miss the surge.

• Monitor cervical mucus changes: Cervical mucus changes throughout your menstrual cycle. It tends to increase in volume and change in consistency as you approach ovulation. Look out for slippery, watery and stretchy discharge as a sign you are approaching ovulation.

• Pay attention to ovulation symptoms: Mild cramping and bloating can be signs that you are about to experience an LH surge. Pay attention to your body, as these signs can help pinpoint when ovulation is about to occur.

• Consider using a fertility monitor: Fertility monitors track your hormone levels throughout your cycle and can help you pinpoint your most fertile days.

• Ask for help: If you are working with a fertility clinic and have difficulty interpreting an LH surge, contact the team. They can help you interpret results or potentially correlate LH readings with bloodwork/ultrasound monitoring.

By tracking your cycle and paying attention to your body’s signals, you can increase your chances of detecting an LH surge and optimize your chances of conception.