Want to get pregnant fast? Step away from the fertility calculator.

I’m just going to go right ahead here and rip off the band aid.  Using a fertility calculator to identify your day of ovulation and the days you’re most likely to be fertile won’t necessarily help you conceive faster. In fact, it could actually slow the process the down.

What is a fertility calculator?

A fertility calculator, ovulation calendar or fertile window calendar is an online tool or app which uses an algorithm to predict ovulation. This prediction is based on the length of your menstrual cycles - meaning the length of time from the first day of bleeding, all the way to first day of your next period.  Most won’t disclose the algorithm they use, but we can assume it is all about averages and the myth of ovulation always occurring exactly 14 days before the period - even if your cycle is 28 days long, you still only have a 10% chance of ovulating on cycle day14.

So what’s the problem?

Accuracy. 

We are not merely an algorithm of the average woman.  There is so much cycle variation within and between women that using these apps is far too simplistic.  A study investigating the accuracy of apps using the calendar method/fertility calendar found a 21% chance of predicting the day of ovulation correctly.  If the ferry timetable was right only 21% of the time, I’d look for a more reliable method of finding out the ferry times, because with stats like that, I’m missing the ferry nearly 80% of the time. 

If you’re here, you probably already know the importance of predicting the day of ovulation and your fertile window, so let’s look at some more reliable ways of detecting ovulation.     

Better ways to detect ovulation

Ovulation predictor kit – aka ovulation predictor test, OPK or ovulation wee stick. 

Invest in a set and start testing from around day 8.  OPK’s test the urine for a hormone called LH which rises before ovulation, meaning they can tell us that ovulation is likely to occur soon.   They are simple to use and are pretty helpful in the early days of learning to understand the changes in your body around ovulation.  Keep in mind, they don’t confirm ovulation has occurred, just that LH is rising.  As a side note- they’re not helpful for women with PCOS. Women with PCOS tend to have a comparatively higher level of LH which can result in a false positive.

Basal Body Temperature charting – aka BBT charting or temping.

This is a little more time and effort intensive but can pay off dividends in terms of feedback. 

Here’s how it works:  Estrogen is the hormone dominant in the first half of the cycle, it’s comparatively colder and more yin.  After ovulation occurs, progesterone, a comparatively yang and warming hormone becomes more dominant.  By taking our temperature first thing every morning, we can confirm ovulation and retroactively identify the date based on the temperature shift.

Watch for more information about this, or download my welcome bundle (use the code wbfree for a complimentary copy)

Cervical Fluid - aka Cervical mucus, waiting for EWC

The vagina is lined with mucus membranes. As we shift through our cycle, cervical mucus is released from different regions. Lower is thicker, while higher is thinner and more slippery. This slippery texture indicates ovulation is close, and you’re about to drop an egg. I’ve written more about that in more detail here

Feel for your cervix:  Aka, getting up close and personal

Our whole body changes to facilitate conception including our cervix.  Outside of our fertile days, our cervix feels low, firm and closed, a bit like the tip of our nose.  As we get closer to ovulation our cervix becomes higher and softer and more open, and feels a bit like our lips.  You can read more about understanding your cervix here.

Tracking your unique signs and symptoms:  Aka, you do you boo

Keep a journal or use a tracking app (with the ovulation predication turned off) and really study your own glorious body.  Noting everything down will help you see what’s important and what patterns are occurring to help you predict your ovulation and your fertility window.   

Common signs and symptoms of ovulation include a little breast tenderness, mild abdomen pain (known as mittleschmerz ), a sense of confidence and optimism, libido firing up and clear skin. What a time.

Other less common signs women have reported include mild headaches, mid cycle bleeding, anxiety, strange dreams, grumpiness, lower back pain and sore nipples.

Bye algorithm, hello body literacy!

The most accurate way to identify your ovulation window is to use these techniques together and write everything down - even if it doesn’t seem important. I know that it can feel tedious at times. Please remember, it’s not forever but the learning is lifelong.

To work with a practitioner at The Fertility Suite, you can book online, or contact the clinic.

All the best.

Jenna