Can ovulation happen more than once in a cycle?

Typically, ovulation occurs once per cycle. But in rare cases, multiple ovulations can happen if you're taking Ovulation Induction medicine.

Can birth control affect ovulation tracking?

Yes, hormonal birth control prevents ovulation, so tracking won’t be effective while using it.

What Every Woman Should Know When Tracking Ovulation

If you’re trying to get pregnant, one of the best things you can do is learn about ovulation. This is the part of your cycle when your body releases an egg. It’s also the time when you’re most likely to conceive.

Now, the important part is that your cycle is not the same as anyone else’s. In fact, it might not even be the same for you every single month. That’s why tracking ovulation makes such a difference. Instead of guessing or going by general timelines, you actually get to observe what’s happening in your own body.

Once you know your pattern, you’ll have a clearer idea of which days give you the best chance of conceiving.

What is Ovulation and Your Fertile Window?

Ovulation is a key moment in your menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from your ovary and travels down the fallopian tube, ready to be fertilised by sperm.

It usually happens about halfway through your cycle. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, ovulation might occur around day 14. But cycles can vary from 21 to 35 days, so it’s not the same for everyone.

Now let’s talk about your fertile window. This is the time when you’re most likely to conceive. It spans about 6 days: the 5 days leading up to ovulation and the day after.

This is because sperm can survive in your body for up to 5 days, while the egg is viable for about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. If you’re trying to get pregnant, having intercourse every two days during this time increases your chances.

Why Track Ovulation?

Keeping track of ovulation is really useful because it shows you when you’re most fertile. It takes out some of the guesswork and lets you plan better.

If you’re facing challenges getting pregnant, tracking ovulation period symptoms can also provide useful information to share with a fertility specialist.

Top Methods to Track Ovulation

There are several ways to track ovulation that you should know if you’re trying to conceive.
You can use one method or combine a few to get a clearer picture of how to track ovulation:

1. Calendar Method

This is a simple and free way to figure out your fertile window. Here’s how to calculate ovulation period using the length of your past cycles:

Track at least 6 to 12 cycles, counting from the first day of your period to the day before your next one starts
Find your shortest and longest cycles.
Subtract 18 from your shortest cycle to find the first fertile day. For example, if your shortest cycle is 28 days, your first fertile day is day 10.
Subtract 11 from your longest cycle to find the last fertile day. If your longest cycle is 34 days, your last fertile day is day 23.
Your fertile window lies between these days (days 10 to 23 in this example).

This method works best if your cycles are fairly regular.

2. Cycle-Tracking Apps

If all the counting and calculations feel like too much, you can use a cycle-tracking app to make things easier. These apps work just like the calendar method but do the maths for you. All you need to do is log the start and end dates of your periods for a few cycles, and the app will predict your ovulation and fertile days.

3. Ovulation Predictor Kits

Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are one of the most reliable ways to check if you’re about to ovulate. They work a lot like pregnancy tests. But instead of looking for pregnancy hormones, they detect a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. This surge usually happens about 24 to 48 hours before ovulation.

Some kits also measure oestrogen levels for extra accuracy. To use them:

Start testing 3 to 5 days before you expect to ovulate.
Test daily until you get a positive result, which means ovulation is likely to happen soon.
Have intercourse within the next day or two to maximise your chances.

When tracking ovulation, OPKs can be up to 99 per cent accurate if used correctly. But they require consistent testing and can be a bit costly.

4. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Tracking

Your basal body temperature (BBT) is your body’s temperature at rest. It rises slightly by about 0.4°F to 1°F after ovulation because of higher progesterone levels.

To track it:

Use a special thermometer with two decimal places for accuracy.
Take your temperature first thing in the morning at the same time each day (before getting out of bed).
Record your readings for a few months to spot the pattern of when your temperature rises. That’s your clue that ovulation has occurred.

5. Cervical Mucus Changes

Your cervical mucus changes throughout your cycle. Just before and during ovulation, your mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, like raw egg whites. This helps sperm travel to the egg.

Here’s what usually happens:

Early in your cycle, mucus is thick, white, and dry.
As ovulation approaches, it turns clear and stretchy, lasting about 4 days.
After ovulation, it becomes dry again until your period.

Other Signs of Ovulation

Your body gives you subtle ovulation period symptoms. These signs aren’t as precise as the methods above, but they can add to your understanding.

These are some common ones:

1. Cervical Position Changes

During ovulation, your cervix becomes softer, higher, and more open to allow sperm to pass through.

You can check this by gently feeling your cervix, but it takes practice to recognise the differences but usually to be avoided.

2. Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz)

Some people feel mild pelvic or abdominal pain on one side during ovulation, called mittelschmerz.
It may last a few minutes to a few hours and is caused by the egg being released from the ovary. Not everyone experiences this, but it’s a helpful clue if you are tracking ovulation.

3. Increased Sexual Desire

Hormonal shifts, especially rises in oestrogen and LH, can boost your libido during your fertile window. It’s basically your body’s way of encouraging intimacy right when you’re most likely to conceive.

4. Breast Tenderness

After ovulation, increased progesterone levels can cause breast soreness or tenderness. While not a direct sign of ovulation, this is one of the ovulation period symptoms that some people notice around this time.
Tracking ovulation the right way is an important step if you’re trying to conceive. It shows you when you’re most fertile and helps you understand the changes your body goes through each month. Just keep in mind that even with perfect tracking, getting pregnant can take time.

You’re not alone in your journey when trying to conceive. Join our supportive community to connect with others, share experiences, and find encouragement every step of the way.

FAQs on What Every Woman Should Know When Tracking Ovulation

Can ovulation happen more than once in a cycle?
Typically, ovulation occurs once per cycle. But in rare cases, multiple ovulations can happen if you're taking Ovulation Induction medicine.
Can birth control affect ovulation tracking?
Yes, hormonal birth control prevents ovulation, so tracking won’t be effective while using it.