There are five days per month when you can get pregnant. If you want to get pregnant, you need to identify these days. There are many methods used to find out when you’re most fertile.

A fertility calculator is one popular way women track their ovulation cycles. Below you’ll learn more about this method and how it works. You’ll also find more tips and tools used for fertility tracking.

What Is A Fertility Calculator?

A fertility or ovulation calculator is a free digital tool. Many websites and apps offer this simple resource. To use them, you need to provide a few details.

You type in the start date of your period and your menstrual cycle length. These two factors are used to predict your fertile window. Here’s a step-by-step look at how it works:

1. Your period starts on August 25th.
2. Your menstrual cycle is usually 28 days.
3. Your estimated fertile window is September 3rd through 7th.
4. Your estimated ovulation date is September 7th.

These calculators use a simple formula. Below is the formula and an example using the dates above.

(day of your next period – 14 days = ovulation date) and (ovulation date – four days before date= fertile window)

(September 22th – 14 days = September 7th) and (September 7th – four days before the 7th = (fertile window of September 3rd through September 7th)

And this is because the egg only lives up to 24 hours after you ovulate.

As you can see, the process is quick and simple. The results are shown on an easy-to-read calendar. Try an ovulation calculator if you want a fast way to estimate your fertile window.

How Accurate Are Fertility Calculators?

All fertility calculators rely on estimates. One major study showed that fertility tracking tools are often inaccurate. These are the main points from the study:

1. 53 fertility apps and websites were tested.
2. Four of the tools accurately predicted fertile windows.
3. 97.8% of the results were incorrect.
4. Only 2.12% of the results were correct.

This shows that fertility and ovulation calculators aren’t too precise. There are few main factors that can cause faulty outcomes.

1. Calculators use a fixed formula.
2. Many women have irregular cycles that can not fit the formula.
3. All women have unique fertility and ovulation patterns.

You may have a consistent or predictable menstrual cycle. Even if you do, ovulation is a highly unique process. It can change month to month, and so can your fertile window. This causes low accuracy, so fertility calculators should only be used for estimates.

This doesn’t mean you need to rule out ovulation calendars and calculators. Once you use them for a few months, you may notice patterns in your cycle. This information can be helpful in general, but it is not likely to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Other Methods For Tracking Fertile Days

Fertility calculators aren’t the only way to track ovulation. The three methods below are often used to improve the chances of conceiving.

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Cervical Mucus Changes

Cervical mucus changes are a common sign of ovulation. There are a few changes that happen during your fertile window. Look for these signs:

1. Increased vaginal mucus.
2. Mucus that is transparent.
3. Mucus that has the consistency of egg whites.

During the days before ovulation, your mucus is somewhat watery. It thickens during ovulation to keep sperm safe. These changes are due to increased hormone levels.

You need to track cervical mucus for several cycles. This helps you notice patterns each cycle, so you’re familiar with changes. Learn more about cervical mucus changes during ovulation if you want to try this method.

Basal Body Temperature

Many women track their basal body temperature when trying to get pregnant. Your basal body temperature is your temperature when your body is completely at rest. Ovulation can cause a small rise in temperature.

Your most fertile days are two to three days before the increase. Tracking your temperature every day is how you’ll note this increase. To use this method, you need to track your temperature for several cycles.

Ovulation Test Kits

Ovulation test kits are used to find a woman’s most fertile times. They work by detecting the rise of luteinizing hormone. The tests use a small amount of your urine to detect LH surges.

Once you test your urine, you usually have results within a few minutes. The tests usually use words or symbols to indicate low, high, and peak fertility days. Have intercourse during high and peak fertility days if you are trying to get pregnant.

It’s possible for ovulation test kits to provide false negatives and false positives. The tests use a fixed LH threshold, and every woman has unique hormone levels. If your LH level doesn’t meet the threshold, you’ll miss your peak fertile days.

All ovulation test kits detect LH surges, but some provide additional helpful info. Choose a kit with in-depth tracking features to boost your chances of conceiving.

What Is The Most Accurate Way To Track Fertility?

Ovulation test kits are the most accurate way to track fertility. Other methods may help you estimate when you’re ovulating. This can be useful, but estimates aren’t fully reliable and don’t track hormones.

Ovulation tests are 99% accurate. They also use your actual hormone levels. If you want highly accurate results, use Mira’s fertility tracking kit. Mira has many unique features, including:

1. Displaying the exact amount of luteinizing hormone instead of saying ‘high’ or ‘peak’ or using symbols.
2. Lab-grade hormone testing.
3. Automatic charting of your hormone cycles.
4. An AI system that learns your unique hormone patterns.
5. Syncing with a smartphone app to keep records, display easy-to-read data, and provide personalized information.

These helpful features aren’t available in drugstore ovulation test kits. Mira combines accurate hormone tracking with unique technology to help you conceive.