Couples who are trying to conceive and who have not achieved this happy goal can take one step toward pregnancy by calculating the woman's menstrual cycle so they can figure out when she's most likely to ovulate. Several factors, such as glands, hormones, overall physical health and health practices, influence the woman's ability to ovulate. Physical conditions that affect the woman's glands can also prevent normal ovulation.
Step 1
Calculate the length of your average menstrual cycle. Remember that Day 1 is the first day of your menstrual period, and the day before your next period begins is the last day of the cycle. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but your cycle may be longer or shorter.
Step 2
Mark your calendar on the first day of your period, then mark it again the next month when your period starts again. Note the last day of your cycle on your calendar as the day before your next period started. Subtract 17 days. That's when you're most likely to ovulate, according to the Better Health website.
Step 3
Use an ovulation detection or predictor kit if you want to calculate ovulation more accurately. Test yourself every day until you get a positive result. At that point, you're likely to ovulate in the next 24 to 36 hours, according to Better Health.
Step 4
Continue to track your full menstrual cycle for several months until you've worked out your own average cycle. Remember that several factors can affect your ability to ovulate. These include emotional stress, obesity, being underweight, crash dieting, excessive exercise or physical problems with your pituitary gland, ovaries or hypothalamus, according to Better Health.
Step 5
Have sex every other day from about four days before the likely ovulation date until about four days afterward if you are trying to conceive, advises Parent Time.
Step 6
Use your ovulation cycle as a general guide to when you should avoid having sex if you are trying to prevent pregnancy. Since sperm can live in your body for four to five days before you actually ovulate, and an egg can live for 24 to 48 hours after ovulation, your fertile period begins several days before you ovulate and lasts up to two days afterward.
Tips and Warnings
- Be patient. Even when you calculate your ovulation date correctly and have sex on the recommended days, it can take several months to conceive. If your menstrual cycle is irregular or if doesn't follow the average 28-day cycle, the schedule may not work for you.
- Trying to pinpoint your ovulation day and then avoiding sex at that time is not a reliable method of preventing pregnancy. If physical issues are keeping you from ovulating on a regular basis, your gynecologist can help you.
Things You'll Need
- Calendar
- Ovulation detector kit
