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The mucous in a woman’s cervix has a different consistency depending on where she is in her cycle. Watching for these changes in your cervical mucous consistency can help you predict at which point in your menstrual cycle you’re ovulating or even give your doctor important clues about your cycle and reproductive health. Make sure to note the changes on your calendar to more effectively predict when you might ovulate so that you can promote or prevent pregnancy.  Examine any cervical mucous in your underpants or by inserting your fingers in your vagina. Remember that you aren’t doing anything wrong and have nothing about which to be ashamed. Look at the color and consistently of the mucous. You may also want to note if there is any odor, which can signal an infection. If you are about to ovulate, you will have more cervical mucous and it will be thin and slippery. This usually happens about 5 to 8 days after your period. Be aware that you are most fertile during this time and should either have sex or use protection if you’re trying to avoid a pregnancy. If you’re done ovulating, you will have less cervical mucous and it will be thicker and less noticeable. This cycle of cervical mucous usually lasts for two weeks Most women’s menstrual cycles average a standard time of between 26 and 32 days. Using the Standard Days Method by drawing upon the information on your calendar can help you predict when you’ll ovulate. Remember that you need to be very diligent in recording your cycle to use this method. Online tools and apps may also predict or figure out the most likely days you’re ovulating as a part of tracking your cycle. You will likely ovulate between day 8 and day 19 of your menstrual cycle. The first day of your period marks the first day of your cycle. If you’re trying to get pregnant, consider having sex more often during these days. If not, use extra protection or avoid sex during your most fertile period. A woman’s temperature while resting, or basal body temperature, will generally increase a bit when she ovulates. Taking your temperature every day as a part of your menstrual calendar can alert you to when you are ovulating. Record your basal body temperature in your calendar or online app every day. Look for your basal temperature to increase of 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit, a factor to which many apps will alert you. If your temperature seems slightly high, this could mean you’re ovulating. You may want to have intercourse more often when your temperature rises if you’re trying to get pregnant. If you’re trying to prevent pregnancy, consider abstaining or using extra protection. Depending on the type of calendar you are using to track your cycle, you may be able to figure out ovulation simply by looking at an app on your device. In some cases, the app might even alert you to days that you are ovulating. Be aware that you can get apps specifically for ovulation in addition to your menstrual calendar. Consider getting an app that integrates both a menstrual and ovulation calendar. No matter what way you are tracking your ovulation, make sure to record your results every day on your menstrual calendar. This can help you anticipate when you should have sex, abstain from it, or just use more protection. It may also alert you to potential issues you may be having with ovulation. If this is the case, make sure to consult your doctor. Doctors have patients track their cycles for different reasons such as that they’re trying to get pregnant, figure out cycle length and symptoms, or even detect problems. If you have any concerns while tracking your cycle, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist. He or she may suggest tracking other symptoms or elements of your cycle and then sending them on a regular basis to him or her. These can cue your doctor into potential problems or irregularities and help him or her formulate a treatment plan for them. Remember that it’s important to be as honest as possible when keeping your calendar and reporting to your doctor. You don’t have anything about which to be embarrassed and even the most seemingly irrelevant information may be important to your doctor.

Summary:
Observe changes in cervical mucous. Follow the Standard Days method. Measure your basal body temperature. Consult your app. Remember to record results. Talk to your doctor.