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Many have heard that pregnancy can happen on any day of the cycle, which is technically true, but once the journey to conceive (TTC) begins, it becomes clear that there’s actually a smaller window of opportunity — roughly five or six days each month (the five days leading up to ovulation plus 24 hours afterward).
The good news? Tracking ovulation isn’t as complicated as it might sound. Here, we’ll break down each of the most popular methods: basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus monitoring, ovulation test strips, and PdG testing — plus budget-friendly ways to identify the fertile window. By mixing practical know-how with modern tech, you’ll be tracking your ovulation like a pro (and boosting your chances of a positive result).
How to know when ovulation is going to happen
Sometimes the body offers little “clues” that ovulation is right around the corner — like a subtle cramp on one side or a shift in cervical mucus that’s tough to miss once you know what to look for. These telltale signs are the body’s natural way of saying, “Hey, now’s a great time for baby-making!”
Exploring the physical changes that happen during and before ovulation can help make sense of these signals and bring a bit of reassurance (and timing know-how) to anyone on a fertility journey (even if you have an irregular period), so let’s break them down first:
1. Basal body temperature (BBT)
Determining your basal body temperature might be one of the simplest ways to track your fertility. Your BBT is your body’s natural temperature when it’s at rest. While people tend to believe that our body’s ‘normal’ temperature rests at 98.6, the truth is that BBTs can vary.
Figuring out your own unique resting temperature is important to tracking fertility. Not only can your basal body temperature be higher or lower than 98.6, but it can also change throughout the day and month. Our BBT changes when we exercise and eat, and it fluctuates according to our sleep and, of course, our hormone levels.
So, how can your own BBT help track your fertility? Begin by taking your temperature every morning, first thing. That’s before you eat, drink, exercise, etc. Wake up and take your temperature at the same time every morning each day of the month. A slight rise (around 0.4–0.6°F) often follows ovulation, but tracking it over a few cycles makes it easier to predict a typical ovulation pattern.
2. Cervical mucus monitoring
Despite its less-than-desirable name, cervical mucus plays an important role in fertility tracking. Cervical mucus, or cervical fluid, is exactly what its name indicates: fluid produced by your cervix. This fluid changes throughout the month, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle, and plays a crucial role in ensuring that the sperm can make its way to the egg during ovulation.
At the beginning of your cycle (your follicular phase), you might be pretty dry down there, with minimal or no visible cervical mucus. When ovulation is around the corner, fluid becomes clear, stretchy, and slippery (with an egg-white consistency), which creates a more sperm-friendly environment. After ovulation (your luteal phase), the mucus will get thicker, creamier, and possibly more milky-white in color — showing that it’s less conducive to fertilization.
In order to conceive, three things need to be working together: a healthy sperm, a healthy egg, and fertile cervical mucus. Fertile cervical mucus supports the healthy sperm by lowering the vagina’s natural acidity levels, providing necessary nutrients to the sperm so it can survive for up to five days, and lubricating the pathway for the sperm to safely swim through for fertilization.
So, how can we use cervical mucus to track our fertility and determine the optimal time to try to conceive? Because cervical mucus can sustain healthy sperm for up to five days, this creates a fertile window leading up to the day of ovulation. In other words, your best chance of conception begins five days prior to ovulation and lasts about 24 hours post-ovulation. This is your fertile window.
3. Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs)
For those seeking a clear-cut method, ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) — also known as LH strips or ovulation test kits (OTKs) — are extremely popular. These urine-based tests detect when luteinizing hormone (LH) increases in your body, which indicates that you will begin ovulating soon.
Ovulation test kits come with several test strips that you can either urinate on directly or dip into a cup of your own pee. These predictor tests detect the LH surge in your urine for 12 to 36 hours leading up to ovulation. LH increases before ovulation in order to push the egg into its final stages of maturity before it’s released.
When you get a positive result on an ovulation test, you and your partner should try to conceive — in other words, have sex — each day for the next two to three days.
4. PdG tests
PdG, a progesterone metabolite, appears in your urine when your progesterone levels are high. Okay, cool, but what does that mean for our fertility? Progesterone is widely known as the pregnancy hormone, and it peaks in a normal cycle to confirm ovulation. The hormone helps regulate your menstrual cycle and is a crucial participant in the reproduction process.
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Progesterone levels peak after ovulation as your body’s way of preparing for the fertilized egg. Increased progesterone levels make the lining in your uterus “sticky” enough for the egg to properly implant. The time span between ovulation and your next period is called the luteal phase, which should last at least 11 days. If your luteal phase is cut short because of inadequate progesterone levels, this can lead to failed implantation.
Best ovulation tracking apps
In the smartphone era, there’s no shortage of apps promising to track ovulation at the tap of a button. Lots of period-tracking apps have won fans for turning daily logs — think mood, cervical mucus, or basal body temperature — into easy-to-read fertility forecasts. And even better, they’ve been proven to be effective (even if they might not get it right every time).
Some even connect with wearable devices or provide deeper cycle insights for that extra layer of confidence. Plus, their built-in reminders and user-friendly charts can take some of the guesswork (and stress) out of figuring out when you’re most fertile. It might take a little trial-and-error to find the right fit, but once you do, it can feel like having a personal fertility coach in your pocket.
Here are the best of the best:
- Clue: Blends inclusive design, science-backed insights, and a clean interface to simplify daily symptom logging and generate clear, data-driven cycle forecasts.
- Flo: Combines AI-powered predictions, versatile symptom tracking, and a vibrant user community to create personalized ovulation insights and in-app peer support.
- Premom: Syncs seamlessly with LH and PdG test strips, offering color-coded charts that pinpoint fertile windows and a built-in community for question-and-answer support.
- Fertility Friend: Pioneers advanced BBT charting and cycle analytics, delivering detailed stats on ovulation timing and fertility patterns with a longstanding track record of reliability.
- Stardust: Puts a fun, cosmic spin on cycle tracking by pairing astrological guidance with fertility logging, easing stress through playful reminders and a quirky, lighthearted style.
- Natural Cycles: Gains FDA clearance as both birth control and a TTC tool, leveraging a smart algorithm and daily BBT inputs for precise, data-driven cycle predictions in either mode.
Best wearable ovulation trackers
Wearable technology has made its way into fertility tracking with impressive momentum. Various smart rings and watches measure biomarkers — like skin temperature, resting heart rate, and respiratory rate — to detect ovulatory changes.
Some of these are rings that track ovulation or smartwatches that can track your cycle, with one taking a bit of a different approach.
Oura Ring
Does Oura Ring track ovulation? Yes! The Oura Ring is known for tracking sleep and wellness data, yet many individuals note that its temperature-sensing capabilities help reveal monthly thermal shifts. While it’s not FDA-approved as a fertility predictor, it can indirectly provide clues based on subtle temperature variations associated with hormonal changes. It’s clear to see why it’s one of our favorites!
Femometer Cyra Ring
The Femometer Cyra Ring is another ring device designed to track basal body temperature and other vitals discreetly throughout the night. By syncing with the Femometer app, it provides daily insights into fertile windows and ovulation patterns. Its continuous monitoring aims to give a more accurate overview of subtle hormonal shifts that simple spot checks might miss. For those looking to move beyond daily thermometer routines, the Cyra Ring offers a convenient, hands-free alternative.
Evie Ring
The Evie Ring is a next-gen wearable that keeps tabs on temperature changes overnight, laying out a clearer fertility timeline without all the daily fuss. Rather than juggling thermometers or logging symptoms by hand, it quietly gathers data while the wearer sleeps. The companion app then breaks down those readings into approachable, day-to-day ovulation insights. It’s a handy option for those who want reliable cycle info with minimal disruption to their routine.
Ultrahuman Ring
The Ultrahuman Ring zeroes in on overnight biometric signals, capturing temperature shifts that can hint at ovulation. Each morning, its companion app lays out these readings in a friendly, digestible way — cutting down the guesswork around fertile days. There’s no juggling daily thermometers, because the ring handles data collection while the wearer sleeps. It’s an appealing choice for those who want a comprehensive approach to fertility that also folds into bigger-picture wellness goals.
Apple Watch ovulation tracker
Although Apple Watch doesn’t come with a built-in fertility feature, compatible apps can integrate heart rate and basal temperature data (if an external thermometer is used). It may not match the precision of dedicated ovulation devices, but it’s a practical all-in-one option for current Apple Watch owners.
Google Pixel Watch
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The Google Pixel Watch brings everyday wellness tracking under one sleek interface, giving users a convenient way to monitor fertility-related metrics through Wear OS apps. By syncing heart rate, sleep, and activity data, it helps uncover cyclical trends that can suggest ovulation windows. While not explicitly designed for reproductive health, pairing it with third-party apps can expand its capabilities. It’s a neat option for those already immersed in the Android ecosystem who want a single gadget for both general wellness and fertility insights.
Fitbit
The Fitbit is known for its fitness edge, but certain models also include cycle tracking options that can hint at fertile windows. By observing resting heart rate and other day-to-day metrics, users can get a better read on when ovulation might occur. Although it’s not a dedicated fertility device, syncing Fitbit data with the right app can reveal helpful patterns. It’s a practical choice for those who prefer to combine reproductive insights with a broader view of health and wellness.
Withings ScanWatch
The Withings ScanWatch combines a timeless design with robust health metrics that can shine a light on potential ovulation timing. By capturing heart rate, sleep quality, and daily step data, it adds extra layers of insight into the body’s rhythms. Though it doesn’t specialize solely in fertility, connecting it to a cycle-tracking app can highlight key fluctuations. It’s a stylish pick for those who want everyday wellness data that can also inform reproductive health.
Galaxy Watch
The Galaxy Watch combines advanced health tracking and convenient connectivity, making it a versatile wearable for daily life. Although it doesn’t single out fertility as its main focus, its heart rate monitoring, stress analysis, and sleep metrics can still highlight potential ovulation windows. Linking these stats with a specialized cycle-tracking app adds an extra layer of fertility insight. It’s a smooth way to blend everyday wellness goals with a clearer picture of the body’s fertile phases.
kegg
Now for something a bit different — the kegg not only detects the electrolytes present in cervical fluid but also serves as a kegel ball. The electrolytes mimic hormonal changes throughout your cycle, allowing you to track your cycle and determine when it is your fertile window. The easy-to-use device can read and provide your results on the free kegg app in just two minutes.
Free ovulation trackers
Not everyone wants to shell out money for fancy devices or apps right away, and that’s where free ovulation trackers can really shine. Think of them as the low-key yet surprisingly effective way to keep an eye on fertility patterns without draining the budget:
- Calendar method: Log the days of each cycle to estimate ovulation.
- Notebook and pen: Record daily symptoms, moods, cervical mucus changes, and BBT data.
- Basic free apps: Many cycle-tracking apps offer a free tier with essential features, like Premom, Flo, and Clue.
Tracking ovulation after IUD removal
When an IUD is removed, ovulation can resume relatively quickly — often within a few weeks. However, it may take one or two cycles for the body to return to a more predictable rhythm. Whether it’s BBT, LH strips, or a wearable, tracking methods can offer insights into when the cycle stabilizes.
Some experts suggest waiting at least one full cycle to establish a baseline. For those eager to conceive right away, it’s completely possible to begin tracking immediately.
Choosing the ovulation tracking method that works best for you
No matter which strategy or tool feels right, the end goal is simple: gain confidence in understanding when that ovulation window opens each month. From old-school paper charts to slick wearable devices, each method offers a distinct path toward learning more about the body’s rhythms and perfectly timing baby-making efforts.
Whether it’s your first foray into fertility tracking or you’re already a pro, this journey can be both empowering and enlightening. With the right combination of methods — and a little patience along the way — the quest to conceive becomes less mysterious and far more manageable. And we’re right in your corner, always.
Tassia O'Callaghan is an experienced content writer and strategist, having written about a vast range of topics from chemical regulations to parenting, for brands like Peanut App Ltd, Scary Mommy, Tally Workspace, and Office Christmas. She's an advocate for realistic sustainable living, supporting small businesses (author of A-Z of Marketing for Small Businesses), and equity across all walks of life. Follow her on LinkedIn or TikTok, or see more of her work on Authory or her website.