ovulation

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Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of a woman's cycle: the mature, fertile egg cell detaches from the ovary and travels through the fallopian tubes into the uterus. Doctors call this process ovulation. The fertile days around ovulation are most likely to get pregnant. Various methods are designed to prove ovulation.

Cervical mucus

During the cycle, the cervix changes under the influence of sex hormones. At the time of ovulation, it is ready to let sperm pass into the uterus: the cervix has widened, the production of mucus has increased and its composition has changed. The cervical mucus is now liquid, watery and clear and can be pulled into long threads between two fingers.

Basal body temperature curve

Body temperature can also be used to determine whether ovulation is taking place. However, it takes a lot of time and even more discipline to get a meaningful measurement result. You have to take your body temperature every morning at the same time and before you get up and record it on a graph. It does not matter whether you measure under the tongue, in the vagina or in the anus, it is only important that you stick to one spot and always use the same thermometer. The measurement under the arm is too imprecise and therefore unsuitable.

The temperature is lowest just before ovulation. Immediately after ovulation, it rises by around 0.5 ° C under the influence of the luteal hormone (progesterone) and remains at this level until the menstrual period (12 to 14 days).

The most fertile time is around ovulation. On the third day after the temperature rise, the fertile days are over. If the temperature drops after less than ten days, this can indicate a luteal weakness, which can make it difficult to start a pregnancy.

The basal body temperature method is very error-prone and very unsafe as the sole method of contraception. Alcohol, medication, colds, and even lack of sleep can change body temperature.

Ovulation tests (ovulation tests)

Various (technical) aids are available in stores with which couples can determine the fertile days at home. The minicomputers measure and analyze either body temperature or hormones in the urine.

Temperature computers are based on the basal temperature. They save the measured values, calculate the best time for conception and indicate fertile and sterile periods by means of light signals.

Hormone tests / computers measure sex hormones (LH and estradiol) or their breakdown products in the urine. On certain days of the cycle, the device prompts you to perform a test. The computer calculates the fertile days from the course of the hormone concentration.

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