How do I know when I’m ovulating?

Understanding your fertility and when you are ovulating can be a complex journey, especially when you’re trying to conceive, or you’re using fertility awareness as a form of contraception. Knowing when you are ovulating or in your “fertile window” is key to this process.

Here is a quick guide with the most up-to-date evidence on the fertility awareness methods you can use to determine when you are ovulating.

Cervical mucus method: otherwise known as the Billings method, the cervical mucus method involves tracking changes in cervical mucus throughout your cycle. Prior to ovulation you may notice changes and/or an increase in cervical mucous - typically fertile mucous appears clear and stretchy also known as egg white consistency. Fertile mucous can also be described as an increase in the level of cervical moisture - from sensations of slight moisture to wet. Fertile type mucous can indicate you’re in the fertile window. The method is completely cost-free so is favoured by some, however it does require careful observation and understanding. Cervical mucous can be impacted by some factors including certain medication, vaginal infection and some medical conditions. 

Basal body temperature (BBT): your basal body temperature is your body’s temperature at rest. After ovulation there is a slight increase in BBT, sometimes as slight as 0.3 degrees. BBT involves charting your temperature daily. This method is most helpful in detecting ovulation in retrospect after determining the temperature rise and pattern. Again, many things including illness and poor quality sleep can affect your basal body temperature so not all recordings may be accurate. 

Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs): These kits can detect the luteinising hormone (LH) which is one of the hormones responsible for ovulation. LH levels rise approximately 36 hours before ovulation, the OPK can detect the hormonal rise and support prediction of the fertile window. OPKs are best used in conjunction with the other methods. The kits are highly effective in detecting the hormone rise however must be used with caution as there may be other factors which may impact their accuracy such as PCOS, irregular cycles, inaccurate timing and human error. 

These methods can provide an insight into your fertility, the different menstrual phases and hormone patterns but are not foolproof. It’s important to approach fertility awareness with patience and consider booking in a fertility consultation for individualised care and advice on how to use these methods correctly.

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Remember, each body is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Whether you’re trying to conceive or prevent pregnancy, understanding your body’s signals is a powerful step in managing and understanding your health and gaining reproductive autonomy. We’re here to help you navigate this journey with care and understanding.