A normal woman’s menstrual cycle lasts between 28-35 days and ovulation should occur in the middle of the cycle, around day 14. How to detect ovulation with irregular menstruation? In addition to the menstrual cycle, we can also look for signs of ovulation by observing the development of follicles and hormone secretion as a way to determine the time of ovulation for the purpose of conception. The common methods are as follows. Basal body temperature to detect ovulation This is the simplest and easiest method and can be done at home by yourself. In an ovulatory cycle, after the egg is expelled, the corpus luteum is formed. The progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum has the effect of raising the body temperature, which can raise the body temperature by 0.2℃ to 0.4℃ and maintain it for 12 to 14 days. This method requires the preparation of a special basal thermometer with a rounded front end, which has a minimum scale of 0.05℃. How to do it: Take the sublingual temperature for 5 minutes in the early morning, just before waking up and before any activity, and this is the basal body temperature. The body temperature before ovulation continues to be around 36.5°C, with fluctuations within 0.1°C. This is the low temperature period, the follicular phase. In the morning after the end of the low temperature period, the temperature will be 0.3℃ to 0.4℃ lower than the previous day, which is the ovulation day. Soon after ovulation, the body temperature rises about 0.2℃ to 0.4℃ and enters the high temperature period, which is the luteal phase. Therefore, you should seize the time when the basal body temperature decreases and have intercourse, when the chance of conception is high. If you work at night for a long time, you need to monitor it after 6 to 8 hours of rest. Its disadvantage is that ovulation can only be inferred and estimated from the previous month, and it is greatly influenced by emotions, activities and other factors, and there are errors, which may bring some difficulties in determining the ovulation period. Vaginal discharge and cervical mucus examination method If you observe carefully, the vaginal discharge changes periodically. Before ovulation, as estrogen secretion increases, cervical mucus appears from the beginning in minute amounts, clear and transparent, gradually increasing to the largest amount of mucus on the day of ovulation, and spreading to the vagina and vulva, making it moist and lubricated. It is generally believed that the cervical mucus on the day of ovulation is clear and transparent, egg-white in shape, with a drawing length of more than 10 cm. After ovulation, the amount of cervical discharge gradually decreases and turns cloudy and thick. Therefore, you can find the time of ovulation by observing the vaginal and cervical discharge. How to do it: You can use the opportunity after waking up, before taking a shower or before urinating. There are two ways to do this: First, wipe your vulva with clean, white toilet paper and watch for mucus on the paper. The second is to take mucus from the vaginal opening with your finger and observe the appearance and consistency of the mucus on your finger, as well as the pulling reaction with your finger. Gradually train yourself to judge the secretion of cervical mucus and record your observations in detail to determine the day of ovulation. Urine LH test strips are available in pharmacies to detect ovulation, and you can also use them to find the time of ovulation. This is due to the fact that after the follicle grows and matures, its secretion of estrogen also increases to a certain level, inducing ovulation. Operation: The blood LH peak usually appears early in the morning and the urinary LH peak is 6 to 8 hours later than that in the blood, therefore, the urinary LH should be tested after 2 pm and before 7 to 8 pm. The results of urinary LH measurement are affected by fluid intake and the time of measurement, and it is best to avoid drinking large amounts of water for a short time before the test. Usually the test with urine LH ovulation paper is started from the 11th to 12th day of menstruation. The test is performed by immersing the end of the test strip indicated by the arrow in urine, holding it for 30 seconds and then removing it. After a weak positive test, test every 6 to 8 hours. A strong positive test indicates ovulation. Ovulation usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours of a strong positive test, when the chances of pregnancy increase with 2 consecutive days of intercourse. However, the duration of the urinary LH peak is short, lasting only about 24 hours, and can only be detected before ovulation. Therefore, it is best to combine basal body temperature or vaginal or cervical discharge testing and detect it when ovulation is expected to be imminent for best results. Observe the ovulation pain method About 14 days before the next menstrual period, some women may feel pain in the lower abdomen, which is called “ovulation pain”. Ovulation pain is a painful sensation caused by the egg expelling from the ovary, and is a sign of ovulation, usually occurring 2 to 3 hours before or during ovulation. Some people may feel a sudden pain in the lower left or right side of the abdomen, while others may feel like a cramp or a bout of gas. The majority of the pain is in the left or right lower abdomen, and some people have pain near the top of the pubic bone. Usually, ovulation pains are not easily noticed, but most people can feel them if they pay attention, which is the most accurate time to ovulate. If ovulation pain is combined with the basal body temperature method and urine LH test strip test, you will be able to grasp the ovulation time more accurately. V. Ultrasound method If you still haven’t found the time of ovulation by using the above methods, then you need to seek help from your doctor. At present, all major hospitals in China can use negative ultrasound to observe the development of follicles to determine the ovulation time. If the observation day happens to be the day of ovulation, sometimes you can even see the follicle rupture on the ultrasound.