Ovulation calendars are online tools that can help with ovulation prediction as it helps you narrow down your peak fertile days hence helping you can determine the best time to get pregnant. Most of these online ovulation calendars will ask you basic questions such what first date of your last menstrual period was and how long it lasted. If you have no idea of the length of your cycle, you can leave the fields on their default values which are, 28 days cycle and 14 days (luteal phase). Luteal phase are the days between your ovulation cycle and the first day of your menstruation. After filling in the information, the calendar will guess the dates that you will ovulate in the next coming month. Some calendars will also indicate your “most fertile days” and “possibly fertile days.” Other online ovulation calendars can even tell you when the best time is for you to conceive a baby girl or baby boy.
You have a choice whether to choose online ovulation calendars or do it manually. For women with irregular menstrual cycle, ovulation cycle can be predicted through keeping a record of your cycle for at least 7-8 months. Subtract 18 from your shortest cycle and 11 from your longest cycle. The values acquired through this process of subtraction are the possible dates when ovulation may ensue.
For example, after listing down your cycle for 7 months, you found out that 26 is your shortest cycle and 31 is your longest cycle. Subtract 18 and 11, respectively and you will get 8 and 20. It means that in the next month, ovulation may occur between the 8th and 20th day of your cycle. Do you get the picture? Just remember to start counting your cycle from the first day of your period.
Accuracy of Ovulation Calendars
Ovulation calendars are not fool-proof. It does not offer 100% accuracy. In fact, when used alone, it does not guarantee that you will get or not get pregnant. It is fairly accurate for women with regular cycles or women whose cycles only have 2-3 days variation.
The sad part is, not all women have menstrual cycles. The truth is, our cycle constantly changes. And most women are not aware of the length and when their luteal phase occurs.
The ovulation calendar method shouldn’t be used alone, rather in conjunction with other methods. You have an option to use an ovulation test or utilize an ovulation predictor kit. Your ovulation cycle is evidenced by other signs that you should familiarize yourself upon. These signs and methods are as follows:
- Basal body temperature
- Cervical mucus changes
- Breast pain and tenderness
- Cervical changes
- Increase in appetite
- Bloating feeling
- Increase sex drive
- Mood swings
By using ovulation calendars you can start observing your body’s changes and if you faithfully chart your ovulation signs you can start to see a pattern in your ovulation cycle which will help you predict your dates of ovulation.
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