How to Chart a Menstrual Cycle

Charting menstrual cycles is a valuable tool, whether trying to become pregnant or trying to avoid pregnancy. Charting pinpoints ovulation, which is a woman's most fertile period of her monthly cycle, and the time she is most likely to become pregnant. Menstrual charting also allows women to discover if they are not ovulating at all.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Start the first month by keeping data on a calendar. Begin keeping data on the first day of the menstrual cycle. Daily data on moods, as well as stress level, or anything else that can be affected by hormones, is useful to keep noted also.
2. Take a temperature reading every morning immediately after getting out of bed. Waiting more than a few minutes will make the reading invalid for charting purposes. This is known as the basal body temperature, or the body's temperature at rest. After ovulation, the temperature rises between .4 and .8 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that this difference is only noticeable after ovulation, but can be valuable for future cycles and patterns of ovulation.
3. Note the consistency of cervical mucous daily. This is mainly important to detect ovulation. Around ovulation time, the mucous becomes clear and resembles egg white consistency.
4. Check cervical position. During ovulation, it is low and soft. At other times it is high and hard. High and hard means that the cervix is closed tight, and low and soft means it is open and therefore easy for sperm to penetrate.
5. Continue charting the current month until menses begins. The first day of a new menstrual period begins a new month of charting.