Understanding when you’re ovulating is one of the best ways to maximise your chances of conceiving. Your fertile window—the 4-5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation—is the most important time to try. Tracking your body’s natural signs can help you pinpoint these days, even if your menstrual cycle is irregular.

‍If you get your periods regularly, you will also benefit from this article that clears up misconceptions on tracking ovulation by counting days.

How to Track Ovulation

1. Observe Changes in Cervical Mucus

Cervical mucus is one of the clearest signs of fertility. It changes in texture and appearance as ovulation approaches:

💡 How to Check: Wipe with clean tissue before urinating or observe mucus on your underwear. Record changes daily using an app like Taylor to help you identify patterns over time.

• Dry Days (usually after your period)
  • How it Feels: You’ll likely feel dry or nothing at all.
  • What You’ll See: The tissue will stay clean with no visible mucus or dampness.
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• Damp Days (as your cycle progresses)
  • How it Feels: You might notice slight dampness, but it’s minimal and doesn’t feel slippery.
  • What You’ll See: Mucus is barely noticeable, and there’s little to no stretch.
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• Sticky or Creamy Days (approaching ovulation - the start of your fertile window)
  • How it Feels: The mucus becomes thicker and feels stickier or creamy, similar to lotion.
  • What You’ll See: It may appear white or slightly yellowish but still won’t stretch between your fingers.
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• Raw Egg White Day (the day of ovulation)
  • How it Feels: A wet, slippery sensation that’s hard to miss.
  • What You'll See: Mucus will be clear, stretchy, and resemble raw egg whites. It can stretch a few centimetres between your fingers without breaking—this is when you’re most fertile!

2. Track Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

BBT is your body’s resting temperature, which rises slightly (by 0.2–0.6°C) after ovulation due to hormonal changes.

💡 Pro Tip: BBT tracking only confirms ovulation after it’s happened, so pairing it with cervical mucus tracking helps you predict ovulation ahead of time.

• Take Your Temperature: Use a thermometer that shows two decimal places and measure your temperature as soon as you wake up, before getting out of bed or moving around.
• Look for a Temperature Rise: After ovulation, your temperature will increase slightly and stay higher for several days. This consistent rise confirms that ovulation has happened.

Why Mucus Tracking Matters for Irregular Periods

If your menstrual cycles are unpredictable, these tracking methods can be especially useful.

• Cervical mucus shows you when you’re fertile in real time, no matter how long or short your menstrual cycle is.
• BBT confirms when ovulation has happened the day before, helping you identify ovulation more accurately for your next cycle.

Fertility trackers like the Taylor app allows you to track ovulation and pinpoint your fertile window using these natural signals.

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How Often Should You Try?

Once you’ve identified your fertile window, timing is key:

• Best Approach: Have sex once a day during the 4-5 fertile days leading up to ovulation and on ovulation day—this is ideal if sperm health is normal.
• If Sperm Count is Low: If your partner has a low sperm count (oligospermia), try every other day during the fertile window to allow sperm to replenish.
• Throughout the Month: Since ovulation isn’t always easy to predict, having sex 2-3 times a week, every week, ensures you don’t miss your fertile days.

Be Patient and Consistent

Conception often takes time, and it’s perfectly normal not to conceive straight away. Keep tracking and trying—each cycle helps you understand your body better.

At Taylor, we support you through your journey to getting pregnant through the Conceiving with PCOS programme. If you have already been timing intercourse according to the tips above and are seeking more clarity on your reproductive health, you may also wish to consider more in-depth evaluation like a fertility screening for couples.

By focusing on understanding your body’s natural signals and timing things right, you’re giving yourself the best chance of success. You’re on the right path—trust the process! 🌟