by Shola Oslo

It's vital to know the signs of ovulation if you're trying to get pregnant in the shortest time possible. This is because there is a very short window of time in your menstrual cycle for you to conceive. In some women, this window of time can be as little as 12 hours! The timing of your love-making is vital, as it's so easy to miss your most fertile time of the month. In fact, many couples struggle for years, trying to conceive, and waste a lot of time because they simply don't know when the woman is conceiving.

Ovulation is simply one part of the monthly cycle all women go through during their child-bearing years. At some point around the middle of the cycle, a matured egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube. This process is triggered by a hormone called luteinizing hormone, which is released in greatest amounts 13-36 hours before you ovulate.

Rising LH can be detected in urine samples, and tested at home. These types of tests are said to be just as accurate as the more invasive tests that can be done in laboratories to detect LH if the directions are followed carefully. The brand that was reported by the study to be the most accurate is the ClearPlan Easy Ovulation Test Pack (Inverness Medical). You need to test at least 2 days before you think you will ovulate, and if your periods are not regular, you need to test a wider window of time.

There are other ways to test for the chemical signs of ovulation. As estrogen levels rise prior to the increase in LH, there is an increase in the amount of sodium chloride (salt) in the saliva and the cervical mucus. This salt content causes the mucus to crystallize when dried, resembling a fern pattern. There are home tests that can help you examine your saliva for the signs of increased salt, using a pocket sized microscope. An online review for the Fertile Focus states that the kit can be reused indefinitely, is discreet, and is also inexpensive. This system is said to give you 1-3 days of warning before you ovulate, providing you take samples before you eat or drink in the morning.

You can also check your cervical mucus for changes. Most days of the month, the mucus is thick and stiff in consistency, but while you're ovulating, it becomes almost transparent , and has a more runny consistency. It can be very stretchy if you try to pull it apart between your finger and thumb.

These methods work very well if your cycle is regular and and you do not have any reproductive disorders such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, uterine fibroid tumors, or endometriosis. These conditions are primarily caused by hormone imbalances, and tend to throw the cycle out of balance, making it difficult to identify the signs and symptoms of ovulation. If you suffer from any of these conditions, and would like to get pregnant naturally, you may wish to consider a body cleanse for fertility, along with a fertility supplement such as FertilPlus For Women, as these natural remedies can bring your cycle back into balance.

Experts recommend using a combination of methods to determine when you are ovulating. First, carefully monitor your cycles. Measuring basal body temperature helps determine when you typically ovulate in your cycle. Once you have an idea of when you tend to ovulate, some of the other methods mentioned earlier can help you pinpoint the best time to have intercourse to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Knowing the signs of ovulation help you not only have a better understanding of your body and its cycles, but also will help you to conceive.

About the Author: