As women’s health experts, we discuss menstrual cycles with our patients on a daily basis. In addition to functioning like a “vital sign” for the female body, the menstrual cycle can also help us understand our hormones and fertility. The practice of using the menstrual cycle to know when you are more or less fertile is known as fertility awareness. If a woman wants to get pregnant, she can use this information to increase her chances of conceiving during the “fertile window,” or the time when she is most fertile. Some women choose to use fertility awareness as a way to decrease their chances of getting pregnant.Whether you’re using fertility awareness to help achieve or prevent pregnancy, understanding your body’s natural rhythms can empower you to make informed choices.
Tracking Your Cycle to Help Conceive
Women who want to increase their chances of conceiving often use fertility awareness to maximize their chances of getting pregnant. By tracking your cycles, you can time intercourse to be during your most fertile days. Although it’s not a guarantee, it statistically increases your chances of success.
How do I know when I am most fertile?
Track Your Cycle: Day 1 is the first day of your period, and your cycle ends the day before your next period. Track your cycle length for a few months to see your typical, shortest, and longest cycles (usually 21–35 days).
Find Your Fertile Window: Subtract 18 from your shortest cycle and 11 from your longest cycle. The days between these two numbers are your most fertile.
Example: Shortest cycle = 26, longest = 30 → 26–18 = 8, 30–11 = 19 → fertile window = days 8–19.
Timing Matters: Sperm can survive up to 5 days, but an egg lasts ~24 hours. Your peak fertility is the 5 days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation.
Signs of Ovulation:
Cervical Mucus: Cervical mucus can help you know when they are more or less fertile. It increases before ovulation, looking clear, stretchy, and slippery like egg whites. It lasts ~3–4 days, which are your most fertile days.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Tracking your BBT every morning before getting out of bed can help you know when you’re more or less fertile. A slight dip occurs before ovulation, followed by a small rise after. The 2–3 days before the temperature rises are usually your most fertile.
Other Methods:
- Ovulation predictor kits are sold over the counter and detect the hormone changes that typically occur just before ovulation. Some people choose to use these in addition to tracking their basal body temperature and cervical mucus, too.
- Your Diana Health team can also order a hormonal blood test to determine if you have ovulated. This is not regularly done or needed, but it may be helpful in certain instances.
If Conception Isn’t Happening:
There is no set time for you to wait before contacting us. Some women prefer to wait and try for six months before reaching out, while others opt to reach out sooner. It often takes a few months for women to conceive. For women in their mid-30s or older, it may be wise to schedule an appointment with us sooner rather than later, so we can assist you.
Contact us at Diana Health. Our women’s health experts are here to help you. You don’t have to wait to visit us. It’s a great idea to have a preconception visit with one of our Diana Health professionals even before starting to conceive. We’re here to support you wherever you are in your journey.
