Mindsmaking

Ovulation Calendar

Pinpoint your most fertile days, optimize your chances of conception, and gain insights into your menstrual cycle.

How to Calculate fertile days

Written by Adejumoke Arinola

Fact Checked by Mindsmaking Professionals

24th February, 2025

How do I calculate fertile days

To calculate fertile days, you need to track your menstrual cycle and identify the days when you're most likely to ovulate. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Track Your Cycle Length
- Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period and ends on the day before your next period starts.
- The average cycle length is 28 days, but it can range between 21 to 35 days.
Step 2: Determine Ovulation Day
- Ovulation typically happens 14 days before your next period.
- If your cycle is 28 days, ovulation occurs around day 14.
- If your cycle is 30 days, ovulation occurs around day 16.
Step 3: Identify Your Fertile Window
- Sperm can survive for 3-5 days in the female body.
- The fertile window is about 5 days before ovulation + the day of ovulation + 1 day after ovulation.
- If you ovulate on day 14, your fertile days are days 9 to 15.
Methods to Track Ovulation
1. Calendar Method – Track your periods for a few months to predict ovulation.
2. Cervical Mucus Method – Fertile mucus is clear, stretchy, and egg-white-like.
3. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) – A slight rise in body temperature occurs after ovulation.
4. Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) – These detect LH hormone surges before ovulation.

How to increase the chances of getting pregnant

Track Your Ovulation
Since pregnancy is most likely to occur during ovulation (when your ovaries release an egg), tracking your cycle is key.
- Use ovulation predictor kits (OPKs).
- Track basal body temperature (BBT) – a slight rise indicates ovulation.
- Monitor cervical mucus – it becomes clear and stretchy like egg whites around ovulation.
- Use fertility-tracking apps to predict your fertile window.
Have Regular, Well-Timed Intercourse
- Have sex every 1–2 days during your fertile window (usually around days 10–16 in a 28-day cycle).
- Sperm can live for up to 5 days inside the body, so having sex before ovulation increases chances.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- Exercise moderately – too much intense exercise may affect ovulation.
- Maintain a healthy weight – being underweight or overweight can affect fertility.
- Reduce stress – stress can interfere with ovulation.
- Get enough sleep – poor sleep patterns may impact fertility hormones.
Avoid Fertility Disruptors
- Limit alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.
- Avoid exposure to toxins (pesticides, chemicals, BPA in plastics).
Consider Prenatal Vitamins
- Take folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) before conception to support early pregnancy.
- Consider a prenatal vitamin with vitamin D and iron.
Check Your Partner’s Health
- Male fertility is just as important! Your partner should maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking/alcohol, and get checked if necessary.
Get a Preconception Check-Up
- A doctor can check for any underlying conditions (PCOS, thyroid issues, etc.).
- If you’re under 35 and trying for a year (or over 35 and trying for 6 months) without success, see a fertility specialist.

Signs and symptoms of ovulation

Changes in Cervical Mucus
- Becomes clear, stretchy, and slippery (like egg whites).
- Helps sperm travel more easily to the egg.
Increased Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
- Slight rise (about 0.5°F–1°F or 0.3°C–0.6°C) after ovulation.
- Best tracked over a few months using a thermometer first thing in the morning.
Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz)
- Mild cramps or twinges on one side of the lower abdomen.
- Can last a few minutes to a few hours.
Changes in Cervix Position
- Becomes softer, higher, and more open.
- Can be checked with clean hands, but it takes practice to notice differences.
Increased Libido
- Higher sex drive due to hormonal changes.
Breast Tenderness
- Some women experience sore or sensitive breasts due to hormonal shifts.
Light Spotting
- Some women notice slight bleeding due to a small dip in estrogen levels.
Bloating
- Water retention can cause slight bloating.
Heightened Sense of Smell, Taste, or Vision
- Some women report being more sensitive to smells or tastes.
Positive Ovulation Test (OPK - Ovulation Predictor Kit)
- Detects the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation.
- A positive test means ovulation is likely to happen within 12-36 hours.

What women say about ovulation

Women describe ovulation in different ways based on their experiences. Here are some common things women say about ovulation:

"I Can Feel It!"
- Some women experience mittelschmerz (ovulation pain), a mild cramp on one side of the lower abdomen.
- Others notice a change in mood, energy, or libido during ovulation.
"My Body Feels Different."
- Many women notice increased cervical mucus (clear, stretchy, like egg whites).
- Some feel breast tenderness or bloating.
- A rise in basal body temperature after ovulation is common.
"Ovulation Tests Make It So Much Easier!"
- Women using ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) say they help pinpoint ovulation more accurately.
- Some find digital OPKs more convenient than traditional test strips.
"Tracking My Cycle Was a Game-Changer."
- Women who track ovulation with apps like Flo, Clue, or Natural Cycles often say they feel more in control of their fertility.
- Some say charting basal body temperature (BBT) helped them understand their cycles better.
"Ovulation Symptoms Are So Subtle (or Nonexistent)."
- Some women don't notice any signs of ovulation and rely on tracking methods or tests.
- Others find symptoms unpredictable from cycle to cycle.
"I Get SO Emotional During Ovulation!"
- Many women report mood swings, increased attraction, or feeling more social around ovulation.
- Some notice heightened senses, like better smell or taste.
"I Didn't Realize How Short the Fertile Window Is!"
- Many women are surprised to learn they’re only fertile for about 5–6 days per cycle.
- Some wish they had learned about ovulation sooner.