Ovulation is a core point of menstrual period in any woman, which happens approximately on the 14^th day from its beginning (if the cycle is as long as 28 days). Ovulation consists in ovule’s leaving the follicle, where it has matured. A certain point at which ovulation can happen is determined by several factors, like the estrogen hormone excreted by the ovule itself and the commands which brain sends to release it.  If ovulation happens it means that a woman can conceive. Normally, the duration of ovulation is one day on average, but the period for which a woman is fertile is as long as 4-5 days. So, it is possible to conceive if a sexual intercourse took place 2-3 days before ovulation and after it. The main reason why the ovule gets out from the follicle is to be impregnated.

Now that you know several facts about ovulation itself, it should be noted that tracking ovulation is considered one of the ways to avoid unexpected pregnancy. However, those who want to conceive successfully can also use this method for determining the fertile days (and they are more likely to succeed). As it has already been mentioned, the ovulation takes place on the 14^th day of 28-day menstrual cycle. So, to determine this day it’s necessary to count the duration of your monthly period. It should be noted here, that one period is not enough to judge when ovulation takes place. You should monitor your cycle for several months. You can start by taking a calendar and pointing out the days of your monthlies. If a cycle is regular you can count its duration: the cycle starts with the first day of your monthlies and ends with the first day of your next monthlies. The fertile days should be counted from the 11^th to the 19^th day of the menstrual period.

You will likely determine ovulation properly if your period is regular. In case it is not, your calculations will turn out useless. For this reason, a way, commonly used in combination with calendar method is measuring basal body temperature. These measurements will help you determine precisely when ovulation takes place. The fact is, that basal temperature falls as low as 96-97,16 F (36,2 C) on the day of ovulation and then rises to 98,6 F (37 C) or a bit higher for 2-3 days after it. Basal temperature is measured in the morning, before meals. Just opening your eyes and staying in bed you take a mercury thermometer, inserting it into the anus and wait for five minutes. It’s necessary that you measure basal temperature every day on a monthly basis to reveal the peculiarities of your own organism.

So, the two methods mentioned above can be easily used for tracking ovulation. They have once been considered to be helpful in avoiding pregnancy, but nowadays are used for getting pregnant. With a calendar and basal temperature measuring you will likely count the day of ovulation in your period.