Ever heard of an ovulation calendar? You don’t always hear about ovulation tracking in school, so it’s super common to have questions about it. If you’re trying to get to know your body better, you’re in the right place! ThriVe+ is your BFF for women’s health. Are you thinking about your future? Looking to empower yourself?
Learning more about your cycle is a great way to take charge of your health and boost your confidence. It’s amazing that you’re here, advocating for yourself by learning more. Here at ThriVe+, we are pro-woman. That’s why our blog section is full of information about all things ovulation, pregnancy, abortion, and cycle info (like how to use an ovulation calendar). We’ve got you.
So what’s an ovulation calendar?
An ovulation calendar is a tool you can use to know your body better. Using one can help you keep track of your menstrual cycle and figure out when you might ovulate. What’s ovulation? It’s when your body releases an egg from your ovary. This happens to prepare your body for a potential pregnancy.
Whatever style you like, you can make an ovulation calendar work for you. It can be as simple as marking it on your physical calendar or using the one on your phone. Or, you can download an app to make it even easier. It’s great for understanding your cycle and just getting to know your body. Every woman deserves to know her body so she can feel confident.
Back to the basics: period tracking
Just getting started with an ovulation calendar? It’s as easy as writing the dates of your period on your calendar. Keeping track of dates will help you know when ovulation is coming.
1. Mark the first day of your period: Start by noting the first day of your period (when you start bleeding) on a calendar or in an app. This is Day 1 of your cycle. Don’t want to write “period” on your calendar? Get creative! You could use a unicorn emoji or a red dot to mark it, too. You’re in charge! Make it fun!
2. Observe patterns: Remember making observations in science class in high school? Don’t worry — you won’t need any equipment for this. After a few months of keeping track of your period, you’ll start to see patterns in your cycle. For example, you’ll see how long your period lasts and how many days until your next one starts. Having trouble remembering how heavy your flow is each day of your period? Jot down some notes about your observations on your ovulation calendar.
3. Recognize ovulation signs: Your body gives you clues about when ovulation is coming. Isn’t the female body amazing? You might notice changes in your body, like:
– Cervical mucus: Around ovulation, your cervical mucus (discharge) might become clearer and stretchy, like egg whites. Since ovulation preps your body for a potential pregnancy, the cervical mucus changes to help potential sperm meet an egg.
– Other signs: Some women feel slight pain on one side of their lower abdomen, have a slight increase in body temperature, or notice breast tenderness.

Woman-friendly apps
There’s a whole variety of apps out there to help you track your cycle. There are some just for periods, some for an ovulation calendar, and some that cover everything. Here are some popular apps that make tracking your cycle easy and even fun:
– Clue
– Flo
– Ovia
– Period Tracker
– Glow
These apps can help you log your period days, track ovulation signs, and even predict when your next period will begin.
Why bother with an ovulation calendar?
You might be thinking, “I’m not sure I want to do extra work by tracking my cycle. What can keeping an ovulation calendar do for me?” It’s totally your choice, of course! But here are some benefits of tracking your cycle:
1. Menstrual cycle awareness: Understand the phases of your cycle, hormonal changes, and patterns.
2. Preparation for menstruation: Ever been surprised by your period (and left your menstrual products at home)? Know when your period will start so you can be prepared.
3. Personal empowerment: Knowing your body’s rhythms helps you feel more in control and empowered.
4. Mood and behavior analysis: See if there’s a link between your cycle and changes in mood or behavior.
You’re in charge of your future
Understanding your cycle through an ovulation calendar is huge in taking care of your health. It helps you plan for your future. Thinking about postponing sex for now? Knowing your cycle can help you make informed choices. Postponing sex is a super empowering choice because you’ll be in charge of your health and your future. You can secure your goals and avoid STDs. Lots of women choose to delay sex (for now) to gain more confidence.
If you’ve been sexually active and need a pregnancy test, ThriVe+ offers no-cost pregnancy tests. We care about you and your choices. It’s your body and you deserve to feel confident and get answers asap. We’re non-judgmental and totally pro-woman.

Should I take a pregnancy test?
If you’re looking into an ovulation calendar and wondering whether you might need to take a pregnancy test, here’s a quick quiz. It might help you figure it out. Answer the questions below and see your results at the end.
1. Have you been sexually active in the last month?
– A. Yes
– B. No
2. Is your period late?
– A. Yes
– B. No
– C. I’m not sure
3. Have you noticed any signs of pregnancy? (e.g., nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, increased urination)
– A. Yes
– B. No
– C. I’m not sure
4. Are you experiencing unusual spotting or light bleeding?
– A. Yes
– B. No
5. Do you feel different than usual? (e.g., mood swings, food aversions, or cravings)
– A. Yes
– B. No
Results
– Mostly A’s: You might want to take a pregnancy test. Having sex and getting a missed period, combined with other signs, could mean a possible pregnancy.
– Mostly B’s: You probably don’t need to take a pregnancy test right now. If your period arrives and everything feels normal, you’re likely not pregnant.
– Mostly C’s: If you’re unsure about your symptoms or if your period is late, it might be a good idea to take a test to ease your mind. Check your ovulation calendar if you have one. Remember, ThriVe+ offers no-cost pregnancy tests. We’ll give you support and info to empower you. You deserve top-notch care and confidence. Knowing your status can help you make the best decisions for your health and future. Looking into an ovulation calendar is an awesome step towards self-empowerment. Good for you! Please come see us if you have questions about your health or need a pregnancy test, STD screening, or pre-abortion screening. We’ve got your back.