To monitor properly you must test your ovulation cycles by physically analyzing the “discharge” of your vagina. This test is the only ovulation test that doesn’t look back at other cycles to determine where a woman is in her cycle. The test is actually done by getting a sample of the mucous from her outer lips and genitalia area and then stretching it between two fingers to determine the texture. The consistency of the mucous changes due to hormone fluctuation.
Before Ovulation
Before you ovulate you pretty much have no chance of getting pregnant. The eggs are simply not there. In fact, no discharge is present the first few days after menstruation. After a few more days and once you’ve began approaching your ovulation cycle your chance of becoming pregnant slightly rises. Your discharge should be moist and sticky and either white or cream in color. The mucous should break easily during the finger test.
Mucous Monitoring At and After Ovulation
Once you’ve reached your ovulation cycle your chance of becoming pregnant skyrockets. The mucous should look like egg whites and be at its thinnest and clearest form at this point. You should be able to completely spread your fingers apart without breaking the mucous. Sperm survives up to 72 hours when it’s trapped in this mucous. After ovulation you start over again with little to no chance of becoming pregnant. The mucous returns to its sticky stage and the feeling of dryness tends to return to the vagina area.