For example, if the first day of your LMP was May 15th, then write or type a number 1 on that day on the calendar. Day one of your cycle is always the first day of flow, not the first day of spotting. [2] X Expert Source Debra Minjarez, MS, MDBoard Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist & Infertility Specialist Expert Interview. 31 March 2020.

For example, if your period started on May 15, and your next period started on June 13th, then you would count from May 15th through June 12th to identify a cycle length of 29 days. If you’re using an app, it will track the days for you, so you won’t need to count forward on a calendar to find your cycle length.

For example, if at the end of 6 months, you had cycles ranging from 26 days to 31 days, then 26 would be your shortest cycle and 31 would be your longest. If the cycles were 26, 28, 28, 26, 28, and 31, then the average cycle length would be 27. 8, which you would round up to 28. This means your average cycle length would be 28 days.

Increased cervical mucus Spike in basal body temperature Lower cervical position Positive ovulation predictor test

For example, if the total number of days in your shortest cycle was 27, then subtracting 18 would give you a result of 9.

For example, if you got a result of 9, then you would count forward to day 9 on your current cycle calendar and mark this day. This is the first fertile day in your fertile window for the current cycle.

For example, if the total number of days in your longest cycle was 32, then subtracting 11 would give you a result of 21.

For example, if you got a result of 21, then day 21 on your calendar would be the end of your fertile window for the current cycle.

For example, if you are most fertile between days 9 and 21 of your cycle, then have intercourse daily or every other day during this window.

Basal Body Temperature. A spike in basal body temperature usually indicates that you are about to ovulate. Cervical mucus. Cervical mucus takes on an egg white consistency when you are at your most fertile. Cervical position. Your cervix will feel low and soft when you are at your most fertile.

Keep in mind that using a fertility calendar to prevent pregnancy is not a good choice in some situations. For example, if you have an irregular cycle, recently gave birth, recently stopped using birth control, have PCOS, or are approaching menopause, then your cycles may be unpredictable.