Ovulation calendar – check when you have your fertile and infertile days. Is this an effective method?

The ovulation calendar is also known as the fertile calendar. This is a popular method of calculating fertile days, which is the moment when a woman has the best chance of becoming pregnant. However, for the ovulation calendar to be effective, you need to observe your cycle in great detail in order to know your ovulation time and your fertile and non-fertile days. It is worth knowing that female fertility depends mainly on the phenomenon of ovulation, because it is the day before and after ovulation that is the most fertile moment. Check out what else is worth knowing about the ovulation calendar.

The menstrual cycle has four phases. Thanks to careful observation of the body, you can find out when it is most fertile

The two most fertile days of the cycle are the day before ovulation and the day after ovulation. Your chances of becoming pregnant are then best

Ovulation calendar and the phases of the menstrual cycle

Preparing your ovulation calendar, it is worth knowing well the phases of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is also called the menstrual cycle. It consists of 4 phases:

1. the first phase from the 1st to the 5th day of the cycle – menstruation, i.e. the period of exfoliation of the uterine mucosa followed by its excretion with the menstrual blood. The first day of bleeding marks the beginning of this phase and the start of the entire menstrual cycle;
2. the follicular phase, i.e. from the 6th to the 13th day of the cycle – in this phase the follicle with the egg grows and the uterine mucosa becomes thicker, preparing for the next phase of the cycle;
3. ovulation, i.e. around the 14th day of the cycle – in this phase of the cycle, estrogens reach their highest concentration and the follicle with the egg breaks;
4. the luteal phase, i.e. between the 15th and 28th day of the cycle – in this phase of the cycle, the empty follicle turns into a corpus luteum, which disappears when the cell is not fertilized.

Check it out: Scientists: A woman’s temperament has to do with fertility

Ovulation calendar – determining the fertile days

The ovulation calendar allows you to record your fertile days. Fertile days are considered to be the day before ovulation and the day after ovulation. These are the two most fertile days of the cycle. During the fertile days, the level of progesterone in a woman’s body increases, which has a positive effect on the chances of fertilization. Fertile days begin in the second phase of the cycle after menstruation. It is known as the pre-ovulation period, i.e. the phase of relative infertility. Fertile days end about 2-3 days after ovulation.

The timing of ovulation is associated with specific symptoms. It is they that make it possible to determine ovulation. Most often during this period you can observe:

1. increased body temperature, even by the so-called two dashes, or two tenths of a degree;
2. transparent and thin mucus from the cervix – it should be pulling, sticky, thanks to which the sperm will move faster;
3. pain in the lower abdomen;
4. tender breasts;
5. high libido.

Ovulation calendar – determination of infertile days

The days of infertility are days when the chance of becoming pregnant is lower than the fertile days, and therefore this term is not used in medicine. People using an ovulation calendar should remember that the risk of an unplanned pregnancy is never zero. According to the ovulation calendar, fertile days are from the 3rd to the 7th day before ovulation, and from the 2nd to the 3rd day after ovulation. The remaining days of the cycle are considered infertile.

However, it should be remembered that infertile days are only a period of relative infertility and does not mean that there is no risk of pregnancy. Infertile days in the ovulation calendar they only mean a lower chance of pregnancy, not its complete exclusion. The lack of accuracy in this topic is due to the fact that female fertility is dependent on ovulation. Ovulation, on the other hand, depends on many factors, so it is difficult to clearly define its moment.

While there are no specific symptoms of infertile days, many women experience vaginal dryness during this period because there is no sticky discharge. In addition, many women at this time have a greater appetite, decreased well-being, nervousness or water retention in the body.

Check it out: Contraception for men – the “switch” of male fertility

Determining the moment of ovulation

Calendar of fertile days makes it possible to establish the day of ovulation when ovulation is taking place. On this day, the level of estrogen is high enough to trigger an increase in the luteinizing hormone. As a consequence, the Graff follicle ruptures and the mature egg is released from the ovary. This cell is then trapped by the hyphae of the fallopian tube and travels towards the uterus. When sperm enters the egg, it can fertilize. Therefore, intercourse on the day of ovulation, as well as 1-2 days before, significantly increases the chances of fertilization and conception of a child.

Ovulation manifests itself in a woman:

1. elevated body temperature;
2. different consistency and color of vaginal mucus;
3. the feeling of stinging, i.e. ovulatory pain appearing in the area of ​​the ovary – this is the result of the release of the egg after the Graff’s follicle ruptures;
4. ovulation spotting for up to 4 days;
5. breast sensitivity due to high levels of estrogen;
6. high libido.

By definition, ovulation, i.e. ovulation, takes place once a month. However, it should be remembered that when two follicles appear on the ovaries, two eggs will be released, several hours apart. This means that ovulation can happen again in one cycle. It is quite rare and there is no way to predict or plan it.

In addition, there may also be anovulatory cycles when ovulation is not taking place. The most common causes of this condition are stress, depression, neurosis and eating disorders.

Ovulation calendar and fertile days calculator

Ovulation calendar can replace quick and convenient to use fertile days calculator. It allows you to calculate the most fertile days when a woman becomes pregnant most easily. In the case of the ovulation calendar, it is not enough to observe one or two cycles to clearly establish the fertile and infertile days. In a situation where a woman has regular cycles (always of the same length), the fertile days calendar should be kept for several consecutive months.

The menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, which means that ovulation should occur around the middle of this period. When calculating your fertile days in the fertile day calculator, you must enter the length of your cycle and the first day of your period. That is why it is worth observing your cycle and taking notes. The longer we observe our body, the more accurate and reliable it will be calculating fertile days calculatorand therefore also the term ovulation. It is also worth remembering that, regardless of the length of the cycle, ovulation falls on the 14th day of the cycle.

Check it out: Ten Sins Against Fertility

Ovulation calendar – other methods

In addition to the ovulation calendar, there are other methods for calculating your fertile days. The ovulation calendar works best in the case of regular cycles, so it is worth supplementing it with observations of the female body. The methods that facilitate the observation of the menstrual cycle include:

1. the Holta method – its other name is the thermal method. Calculating fertile days with this method relies on daily body temperature measurements. The measurement should be taken at the same time of the day, preferably as soon as you wake up. It is also worth ensuring that you get enough sleep the night before taking the measurement. In addition, the measurement should always be done in the same way. The result should be recorded each time to be able to compare them in the following days. After a whole month of measurements, it is worth creating a graph that will help us draw conclusions. The temperature in the first phase of the cycle should be 36,5 degrees Celsius, while before ovulation it may drop by some 0,2-0,3 degrees. Then, immediately after ovulation, it can even exceed 37 degrees C. Observation of body temperature is important because at the moment of ovulation it suddenly increases. You can buy an ovulation thermometer HERE.
2. Billings method – the method consists in observing the mucus in different phases of the menstrual cycle. The mucus in each of them will look completely different. A clean handkerchief is enough for observation. On the basis of the mucus samples collected on it, you can easily determine its consistency and color. In the first phase of the cycle, the mucus should be thin and sticky during menstruation. During the fertile days, it will become chewy and translucent. However, after the fertile days are over, the mucus will be thick and much less, making it harder for the sperm cells to enter the egg. The Billings method is very effective in determining fertile days and can be up to 97 percent. effectiveness, however, after one year of follow-up;
3. symptothermal method – this method combines the thermal method and the Billings method. It involves both controlling body temperature and observing vaginal mucus. This method also takes into account other factors, such as symptoms that appear during the fertile days and ovulation. The symptothermal method takes into account a decrease in well-being or pain in the lower abdomen during ovulation.

Ovulation calendar – effectiveness

An ovulation calendar can be an effective method of contraception, but remember that this only applies to women with regular menstrual cycles. Therefore, it may not work for young women, actively participating in sports, traveling or living under high stress.

Moreover, on the effectiveness of the ovulation calendar other lifestyle factors will also influence. The effectiveness of the ovulation calendar can reduce sleep problems, infections and the period of breastfeeding. Therefore, women who are not planning to become pregnant should use other, more reliable methods of contraception.