How do I Know When I am Ovulating?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 11 percent of women ages 15 to 44 have difficulty getting pregnant. This isn’t surprising considering women can only conceive during the small window of time each month when they are ovulating. Because women typically only ovulate for around 12 to 24 hours, many women who are trying to conceive track their monthly cycles to determine when exactly they are ovulating. Here are four ways you can determine when you’re ovulating:
Get in Tune with Your Body
If you have somewhat regular periods, you may be able to tell when you are ovulating by simply getting in tune with your body. Pay attention to anytime you get abdominal cramps or a series of cramps on one side of your lower abdominal area. While many women experience these monthly twinges of pain, few realize this is a “message” from the body signaling ovulation.
Track Your BBT (Basal Body Temperature)
Your BBT, or basal body temperature, can help you determine whether or not you’re ovulating. Your BBT fluctuates throughout your monthly cycle as your hormone levels rise and fall. At the beginning of your cycle, your body will have higher estrogen levels. Meanwhile, at the end of your cycle, progesterone will dominate. Progesterone increases your body’s temperature because it’s readying your uterus for a fertilized egg. This may seem confusing, but tracking your body’s BBT over time can help you see patterns within your cycle and can make it easier to get pregnant.
By an Ovulation Detection Test
Ovulation tests make it easier for some women to determine when they are ovulating. By looking at your levels of luteinizing hormone (LH for short), these kits are able to pinpoint on which date you will begin ovulating around 12 to 24 hours in advanced. Even better, taking the test is simple and only requires you to urinate on the testing stick.
If you want to track your ovulation right away before consulting a medical professional the American Pregnancy Association has a free ovulation calculator:
http://americanpregnancy.org/ovulation-calendar/
Visit an Experienced OB-GYN
No matter how in tune you are with your body or how many other methods you use, it can be difficult determining whether or not you’re ovulating. If you’re having difficulty figuring out your ovulation cycle, visit the experienced physicians at OB-GYN Women’s Centre of Lakewood Ranch. Our caring and compassionate team can help you determine when you’re ovulating so you can get in tune with your body and conceive easier.
Learn more about our mission, and us, here, or schedule your appointment with us today!
