Fertility and Ovulation:
The Best Ways to Track Your Fertility Window

According to Parents, most women can get pregnant when they're ovulating. Unfortunately, pinpointing the actual day you're ovulating can be difficult. Ovulation doesn't always happen on a regular schedule, especially if your menstrual cycle is irregular. 

If you're trying to get pregnant, fertility and ovulation go hand in hand. It's essential to know the general window of when you're ovulating to maximize your chances of conceiving. 

This guide will discuss everything you need to know about your fertile window and tracking ovulation. Dramatically increase your chances of getting pregnant by knowing when you're the most fertile. 

What Is Ovulation?

A woman's menstrual cycle is broken down into four phases. They are:

• Menstrual 
• Follicular
• Ovulation
• Luteal 

Menstrual Phase

Each phase works together to create a pregnancy. Your menstrual phase starts on the first day of your period. Your uterus sheds its lining since you didn't get pregnant during your last menstrual cycle. 

Follicular Phase

During the follicular phase, eggs start growing inside of a follicle. A follicle is a fluid-filled sac. The egg that's developed the most and is the most dominant will move onto the next phase — ovulation.

Ovulation Phase

Ovulation happens when your ovary releases the mature egg into your fallopian tube. The egg's lifespan is 12 to 24 hours in your reproductive tract. 

Sperm can survive in your fallopian tubes for around five days. A woman has the most significant chance of getting pregnant on the day she ovulates and five days prior. 

In rare cases, a woman can release multiple eggs. If she releases more than one egg and gets fertilized, she can have fraternal twins. 

Luteal Phase

The final phase of the menstrual cycle is the luteal phase. If an egg gets fertilized by a sperm, the embryo will get attached to the uterine lining to create a pregnancy. 

If the egg doesn't get fertilized, it'll get reabsorbed into the woman's uterine lining. The egg will get shed during her period. 

The luteal phase can last around two weeks. It starts from ovulation to a woman's positive pregnancy test or subsequent period. 

On What Day of Your Cycle Do You Ovulate?

Have you wondered, "on what day of your cycle do you ovulate?" Since the luteal phase is about 14 days long, you can determine when you ovulate by a simple calculation. You have to subtract 14 days from when your last menstrual period was.

For example, a regular menstrual cycle is 28 days long. A woman with a normal menstrual cycle will ovulate around day 14. If your cycle is 30 days long, you'll ovulate around day 16. 

It can be challenging to track your fertile days if you have irregular periods. If your menstrual cycles are around 28 to 32 days, you can expect to ovulate around days 14 to 18 of your cycle. 

Understanding Ovulation Tests: How Do They Work?

As we mentioned, ovulation can be very unpredictable. The "14-day" ideology isn't accurate for everyone. Fortunately, there are many tools and methods that can help you with tracking ovulation. 

According to Healthline, an ovulation test can help you predict when you'll be the most fertile. You should take a test a few days before you expect to ovulate. Understanding ovulation tests are pretty straightforward. 

Your body is the most fertile one to two days before and after you ovulate. As we mentioned earlier, sperm can live in your body for around five days. You can still get pregnant if you have sex five days before you ovulate and one day after. 

There isn't a specific time of day that you should take an ovulation test. Whether you decide to test in the morning, afternoon, or evening, make sure you stay consistent. 

Large amounts of liquid can dilute how much luteinizing hormone (LH) is present in your urine. If you drink too many fluids before your test, your test can show that you're not ovulating, even when you are. 

Limit how much fluids you drink around two hours before your test. Try not to urinate one to two hours before your test. 

How Do Ovulation Tests Work?

Ovulation tests check how much luteinizing hormone (LH) you have in your urine. LH signals ovulation. Ovulation tests have about a 99% accuracy rate when determining ovulation. 

To take an ovulation test, you urinate on the test stick. You can also pee in a cup and put the test stick into the urine. It takes about five minutes to get your results. 

An ovulation test will show two lines. One line is the control line. The control line shows you that the ovulation test is working. 

The second line is your test line. The test line will be darker or lighter than the first line, depending on whether you're ovulating. 

If the test line is lighter, you have low levels of LH in your body. If it's darker, then your LH levels are higher. You'll have an increased chance of getting pregnant if the line is darker. 

Tracking Your Fertility and Ovulation

There are a few ways you can track your fertility and ovulation to know when to take an ovulation test. You can also track your fertile window to know when to avoid having sex, so you don't get pregnant. 

Best Ovulation Calculator

Many healthcare websites have their own versions of the best ovulation calculator. For example,  according to WebMD, all you need to do is input the first day of your last period on their online ovulation calculator.

After that, the calculator will ask you how long your average menstrual cycle is. If you're unsure how long your cycle is, the online program can help you figure that out. 

The calculator will give you your results once you select how long your cycles are. The WebMD calculator shows you the following information:

• Your fertile window
• Your approximate ovulation date
• When your next period should begin
• When you should take a pregnancy test 

It'll also tell you when your estimated due date is based on the information. You can also look to future months to find the above information. 

The Best Way to Test Ovulation 

The best way to test ovulation is to use an at-home ovulation kit. You can use an ovulation calculator to estimate when you'll be ovulating. That information will help you determine when you should take an ovulation test. 

Best Fertility Tracker

The best fertility tracker will provide you with various tools and features to track ovulation and fertile days after your period. You can also use a fertility tracker to manage your menstrual cycle and PMS symptoms. If you're not trying to conceive, they can also help you track menopause symptoms. 

Clue Period and Cycle Tracker

One of the best fertility trackers is Clue Period and Cycle Tracker. It's free to download and includes in-app purchases. It's a comprehensive fertility app that helps track all aspects of your body, from fertility to your menstrual cycle. 

Flo Period and Ovulation Tracker

Another highly rated fertility tracker is Flo Period and Ovulation Tracker. One of the best features of this app is it'll send you notifications when you're the most fertile. You can view all of the data surrounding your menstrual cycle, ovulation, and PMS symptoms in convenient charts. 

Ways to Boost Fertility and Ovulation 

There are natural methods you can employ to boost your fertility. In addition to fertility supplements, you can make a few lifestyle and diet changes to help you get pregnant faster. 

One way to boost your fertility is to eat foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants work to deactivate free radicals in your body. Free radicals have a harmful effect on egg and sperm cells. 

Some healthy foods you can incorporate into your diet include:

• Nuts
• Fruits
• Grains
• Vegetables

You should also start your day with a healthy, substantial breakfast, especially if you suffer from PCOS. Eating most of your calories at breakfast can improve your ovulation by balancing certain hormones. 

Incorporating a daily multivitamin or hormonal supplement can help balance your cycle and boost fertility. For example, the Knowell supplement includes many natural ingredients that help balance a woman's hormones. 

Exercise can provide various health and emotional benefits, including improving your fertility. Moderate exercise is critical since excessive exercise can have a negative impact on your reproductive system. 

Trying to conceive can be a stressful time. Increased stress levels can have an impact on your fertility. Make time to relax and take time for yourself through your pregnancy journey. 

For additional information read Factors Affecting Fertility: Answers to 8 Common Questions.

Understanding Ovulation and Your Fertile Window

Learning more about your fertility and ovulation can help you better understand your body. If you're trying to conceive, you should know when you're the most fertile to maximize the chances of getting pregnant. 

Ready to learn how the Knowell supplement can help regulate your cycle? Browse our online store today to discover the benefits of our product.