Hera Fertility - Beyond the calendar: Four techniques for ovulation tracking

Published by Hera Fertility

Posted on
September 21, 2023

Read Time
5 mins

Ovulation monitoring has long been practiced by people who are either seeking pregnancy or trying to avoid it. Having more intimate knowledge of one’s body and its biological patterns is a valuable tool for conceiving a baby and generally improving your health.

Decades ago, women looking to monitor their fertility used physical calendars or wrote everything down. These days, options for tracking include everything from temperature charting to using technology that provides instant feedback.

But first, how important is it to have a crystal clear view of your fertility window?

Obviously, knowing more precisely when you ovulate helps to identify the strategic times to have intercourse. But having a record of the presence of key physical indicators, such as temperature and secretions, are extremely helpful to establish patterns. These can be particularly illuminating if you’ve been trying to conceive for a while and decide to see fertility help.

Six months of tracking on your own is a really good amount of time, advises Cindy Golubisky, Clin Ops & Fertility Clinician at Hera Fertility. “It’s helpful for somebody to be able to say, ‘These are the things I did. This is what my temperature looked like. This was the outcome.”

Having that information documented is “super useful,” Golubisky explains, in helping to understand next steps when it comes to fertility help.

[Read our blog post: How couples can feel more empowered with joint fertility testing]

So, what are the best ways to track ovulation? Hint: You no longer need that pen and paper.

Basal body temperature tracking

Taking basal body temperature (BBT) measurements is one of the simplest and easiest ways to track your fertility window. This unique method was used even before oral contraception pills were available.

Here’s how it works. Take your temperature when you’re fully at rest (e.g. before you get out of bed) using a digital oral thermometer or one designed to measure BBT. Do this every day at approximately the same time. Record your results and look for a pattern to emerge.

Often, BBT increases noticeably — typically 0.5 to 1.0 degrees F — when you ovulate. You’re likely to be the most fertile two to three days before your temperature rises. Factor in that sperm can live up to five days in the reproductive tract, and you can determine the most strategic times to have intercourse.

Of course, BBT tracking isn’t an exact science. Be aware that some factors can impact your temperature, including:

Illness
Stress
Changes in waking time (e.g. for work)
Interrupted sleep cycles or oversleeping
Alcohol
Gynecologic disorders
Certain medications

[Read our blog post: The truth about female infertility diagnosis and testing]

Cervical mucus tracking

Our bodies do an amazing job of alerting us to changes, even subtle ones, in our systems. In addition to temperature changes, ovulation can also be tracked by examining cervical mucus.

Right before and during ovulation, women tend to have the most mucus. And when that mucus is clear, slippery, and stretchy — similar to raw egg whites — these are the most fertile days. This fertile cervical fluid helps sperm to easily swim up the cervix to fertilize an egg.

Checking cervical mucus can be done in two ways: simply observing the fluid found externally or collecting it from the cervix using your fingers. Examine its consistency between your finger and thumb.

Observing mucus to determine its fertility can be quite accurate — as much as 76% accuracy compared to ultrasound-detected ovulation.

Ovulation predictor kits

Technology can also play an important part in determining fertility windows. Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), for example, detect a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) production in urine. LH surges trigger ovulation, typically within 24-36 hours.

However, it’s important to use them correctly and start on the right day. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, start on Day 11. To test, urinate onto a test strip or into a cup and dip the test strip. Much like a pregnancy test, the test strip will indicate a positive or negative indication of an LH surge.

Like BBT testing, some factors can impact accuracy, such as some medications (e.g. antibiotics with tetracyclines, hormone replacement therapy, etc.) and age.

OPKs are easy to use and widely available at grocery stores and pharmacies (however, be aware: some brands can be expensive). They also require less time investment than methods like BBT — you only need to test for a few days.

There are some really good OPK options available, Golubisky says. Clearblue, who created the first at-home, one-step ovulation test in 1989, is still considered one of the best. “We always encourage people to choose Clearblue Easy,” she adds, because it’s accurate and easy to find.

[Read our blog post: Male infertility: Breaking the stereotypes and seeking solutions]

Fertility tracking apps

When you’re gathering daily temperatures and cervical mucus observations, it’s helpful to have a place to keep all of that valuable data. Technology can make tracking so much easier.

Fertility tracking apps allow you to record BBT, period start dates, and notes about spotting and cervical mucus. Algorithms use that data to provide you with details about your cycle and ideal times to try to conceive. Some apps have a community component where you can chat with others about their conception journeys.

Here are a few fertility tracking apps to consider:

Glow: Track your cycle and record sexual activity, symptoms and moods. Uses AI-powered tech to offer personalized insights and support
Ovia: Uses your period, sexual activity details and symptoms to provide customized fertility window projections, trends and charts
Flo: A simple but smart option to track your period, ovulation and fertility. Also integrates linear lifestyle habits (sleep, exercise, water intake, etc.)

However you decide to monitor your fertility, it’s a great way to get in touch with the rhythms of your body and more fully understand your reproductive health.

Unlocking the benefits of Hera Discovery

If you’re looking to take control of your reproductive health, we can help. The Hera Discovery Program offers a comprehensive review of your fertility health. Whether you’re looking to start a family, preserve your fertility, or simply learn more about your fertility status, our team of fertility experts can help you get the answers you need.

The program includes a personalized intake appointment, medical history review, baseline fertility testing and, if necessary, fertility treatment options.

Get in touch with our team to learn more or get started with Hera Discovery today.