Ovulation is the name for the process in which your body releases a mature egg from the ovarian follicle. It occurs about 10-16 days before the start of your next period. Your most fertile days are around 4-5 days before you begin ovulating and ends 24 to 48 hours after the egg is released. 

 

There are physical signs that indicate you may be ovulating. These symptoms are often associated with pre-menstrual symptoms and include breast tenderness, bloating, mild abdominal pain and slightly increased body temperature. Also watch out for changes in vaginal discharge which goes from a white, creamy texture or non-existent to clear, stretchy and slippery during ovulation. 

 

It is possible to experience the physical symptoms of ovulation and get your period but this does not mean that an egg has been released. To get a more accurate picture of when you are ovulating there are lots of home fertility tester kits and monitors that can tell you when your body is ovulating each month. 

 

Ovulation test work by detecting an increase in your Luteinising Hormone (LH) levels, which indicates that, your body is getting ready to release an egg. Once this boost is detected you have about 24 hours to fertilise before the released egg disintegrates. It is best that fertilisation takes place before you are ovulating as sperm can live up to 3 days in the womb. They are not miracle workers but they will allow you to plan in order to maximise your chances of getting pregnant and help you feel a little more in control. Also you wercontraception you should wait 2 cycles before beginning testing and test more then one cycle before beginning to try to get pregnant because you do not ovulate at the same time every month.

 

 

 

The Fertility monitor is designed to help you identify the days you are most likely to be ovulating. Monitoring when you are going to ovulate is the best way to test at home and increase your chances of getting pregnant. As it may differ from month to month an ovulation monitor is a worthwhile investment when trying to conceive. It works by testing your body temperature throughout the night in order to identify when you are ovulating a can store information about past cyles so you get a more accurate result. They are quite pricey and start at £100, Clear Blue and Fertility Focus both produce fertility monitors.   

 

 

 

They work by detecting your LH surge and often are 99% accurate. The LH hormone is present in the bloodstream, saliva and urine. Ovulation test are non invasive and usually detect LH levels through the urine or saliva. 

 

Maybe Baby detects the hormone in your saliva using the saliva plate that you spit in order to test your hormone levels. There is also First Response, which has Daily Sticks which contain 20 for every day of your cycle and Easy-Read Ovulation Test that detects the hormone in your urine. In addition to this they have teamed up with midwife and fertility expert Zita West to create pinktimeline.com, a site that gives you advice and support while trying to conceive. Each of the products promise 99% accuracy rate but recommend using at different times of the day for a more successful result.