Monthly Cycle Tools
Menstrual + Fertility
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Health Resources
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| Return to Ovulation Calculator |
| How the Ovulation Calculator Works |
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Based on the first day of your last period, the average number of days in your
menstrual cycle, and your average luteal phase length, this calculator predicts
ovulation dates and fertile days. The predicted ovulation date
and fertile days in each cycle are approximate dates only; this calculator is intended for use
by those with regular cycles.
The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is the number of days between
ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary) until the day before your next
period starts. For many women with regular cycles, the luteal phase is
generally from 10 to 16 days, with 14 days being the average length. If you know
your luteal phase length (because you've either charted your fertility cycles in
the past, or have used ovulation prediction kits), you can specify it in the entry
field on the criteria screen; otherwise, you can leave 14 (the average) as the
default, which is what most other ovulation calculators automatically use.
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While this calculator may be helpful,
please be aware that there are other ways to determine and
understand your fertility cycles.
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These include:
- Charting your fertility
cycles - BBT and cervical fluid
- Using
ovulation/fertility prediction tests that you can purchase.
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Talk to your healthcare provider or medical doctor about
which methods are best for you.
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More about ovulation tests and
fertility charting.
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To calculate the approximate ovulation date for a given cycle, the calculator
does the following:
- It calculates the first day of your next menstrual cycle. That is, the
day when your next menstrual period begins. This calculation is performed by
adding your cycle length to the first day of the preceding menstrual period.
For example, if the first day of your last period was January 1, and your cycle length
is 28 days, your next period would begin on or about January 29th.
- Next, the calculator subtracts your luteal phase length from the first day of your next
period, yielding the approximate date of ovulation in the current cycle.
Continuing the above example, if your luteal phase length is 14 days, it would
subtract 14 from January 29th. The result, January 15th, is the approximate date
of ovulation for the menstrual cycle that began on January 1st.
The fertile days are calculated based on the following: male sperm can live from 3 to 5
days in fertile cervical mucus. A female egg, once ovulated, can survive for up to 24 hours.
As a result, you are likely fertile a few days before ovulation, up to and including the
day of ovulation, and for 12 to 24 hours thereafter, as shown on the resulting chart.
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Disclaimer:
The information on this ovulation calendar should not and cannot be used
to reliably prevent pregnancy. This calculator is not intended for
those having irregular cycles; if your cycle is irregular, talk to your healthcare
provider regarding methods that can help determine your fertility cycles.
Even if your cycles are regular,
we make no guarantee that your period, ovulation, and/or fertile days
will occur on the predicted dates shown on the calculated ovulation calendar,
since each person's menstrual and fertility cycles
can vary in any given month for a variety of reasons.
All information provided on this ovulation calculator, including predicted dates
of menstruation, ovulation and fertile days, is for educational purposes only.
It is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a medical
doctor or qualified healthcare provider. You should not use this information
for self-diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease. If you have any
questions whatsoever about your medical health or believe you have a medical
problem or disease, you should contact your medical doctor or healthcare provider.
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