Tracking ovulation

Your menstrual cycle is divided into two phases: the follicular (before ovulation) and the luteal phase (after ovulation).

During the first phase, the hormone Estrogen keeps the temperature low (normally between 36.1°C to 36.4°C). Right before ovulation occurs the concentration of estrogen jumps up, causing even lower temperatures. Some women (not all) can see a slight dip in temperatures what means ovulation is about to occur.

In the second phase (Luteal Phase) that starts right after ovulation, hormone progesterone takes over. Temperatures usually rise between 36.4°C and 37°C and stay elevated until your next cycle begins.

If you become pregnant during that cycle it will remain high during the entire pregnancy.

A dip in temperature (not always) followed by a rise higher than all temps the previous six days and staying at or beyond this level for at least 3 days shows that ovulation has occurred.

If you are not trying to conceive at this moment just keep charting you basal temperature and in a couple of months you will see a clear picture: how long your cycle is, how stable it is, when you are most fertile and when your ovulation occurs.

If you are trying to conceive and never charted your basal temperature before follow this steps:

1. Take your temperature every day from the first day of your cycle. 

2. Start charting mucus changes from day 10 of your menstrual cycle (earlier if your cycle is less than 28 days). 

3. Use ovulation tests every day from day 10 (earlier if your cycle is less then 28 days) of your menstrual cycle.

Test line on the ovulation test gets darker then the control line about 1-2 days before ovulation occurs. At the same time your mucus should change from white, thick and sticky to clear, stretchy and slippery (consistency of raw egg white). So, if you are trying to conceive, have intercourse starting from the day you see a positive ovulation test.

Right after ovulation occurs temperature rises. You still have about 24 (sometimes 48) hours before the egg dies.

Most women have anovulatory cycles (1-2 per year). An anovulatory cycle means that no ovulation occurred during that particular cycle. During anovulatory cycle you will see many low and high temperatures throughout the entire cycle with no clear separation of a rise in level of temperatures. If you have anovulatory cycles more often then 1-2 times a year, consult your OB/GYN.