Page 137 - Sex Manual Ebook

you're likely to ovulate next. (If your periods are irregular, you may

not notice a pattern.) Your BBT is your lowest body temperature in a

24-hour period. You have to measure it every morning with a special

thermometer and record it. On the day after you ovulate, you should

see an uptick of 0.5 to 1.0 degree Fahrenheit in your BBT. This

temperature increase typically lasts until your next period. Cervical

mucus is the vaginal discharge you sometimes find in your

underwear. For most of the month, you may have very little of it, or

it may be thick and sticky. But in the three to four days before,

during, and immediately after ovulation, you'll notice an increase in

cervical mucus and a change in its texture. It'll be clear, slippery, and

stretchy, like raw egg whites. Charting is free (after you buy the

thermometer), but this method takes time and effort to do

accurately.

4) Take note of mild cramping

Some women report that they feel mild cramps or twinges of

abdominal pain, or a one-sided backache around the time of

ovulation. These sensations are known as mittelschmerz. Although

it isn't a precise way to determine when you're ovulating, it may be

helpful to be aware of these symptoms (if you have them) while

using the calendar, BBT, or cervical mucus methods.