Basal body temperature (BBT) charting and fertility kits are two methods you can use to gauge your fertility.
Each method has its own pros and cons, and we will examine those shortly.
First, let's explore each method's unique characteristics.
BBT charting Your basal body temperature is your body's temperature at rest.
You measure this with a basal body thermometer on the first day of your menstrual period, as soon as you wake up and before you do any physical activity such as brushing your teeth or drinking your morning beverage.
To get accurate results, take your BBT at the same time every morning, before doing any physical activity.
How BBT determines fertility In reality, true basal body temperature is somewhat lower than the one you measure just after you wake up.
When you ovulate, this increases your basal body temperature from one-half to one degree Fahrenheit or one-quarter to a half degree Celsius.
This tendency to have a lower, pre-ovulation temperature and higher post-ovulation temperature is called a biphasic pattern.
Charting this pattern will make you more aware of your most fertile window over time.
How to chart your BBT Recording your daily BBT in graph form makes it easy to see any rise in your temperature.
Higher temperature that lasts for at least three days most likely indicates ovulation.
Record your BBT for a few menstrual cycles, to give you more accurate results about your ovulation period.
Advantages of BBT charting

1. You don't spend on anything else other than the basal body thermometer-no surgery, no medications, no clinical tests.
   
2. BBT charting is much less expensive than urinary LH measurements.
   
3. Perfect use of this method can result in a two-per-year pregnancy rate, depending on other fertility factors.
   
4. This method does not manipulate fertility in any way.
   

Disadvantages of BBT charting

1. Ovulation is only detected after it has occurred, meaning you will miss your most fertile time to conceive unless you have been using this method for several months and can predict it in advance.
   
2. Any illness or variation in sleep pattern can throw off the pattern you are developing in your chart and render it inaccurate.
   

Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) If you suffer from fertility issues, you have all the more reason to use ovulation predictor kits.
OPKs are another method that can determine female fertility.
This type of fertility method measures the luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine.
You experience higher amounts of LH one or two days prior to ovulation.
In fact, this is a very helpful method in determining your specific ovulation days.
Using the OPK Begin using this method after your menstrual cycle.
Refrain from drinking at least four hours before the test.
Repeat the method the following days at the same time.
This will ensure a greater chance of success.
Advantages of the OPK

1. This method is easy and convenient to use.
   You can administer this method in your own home.
   
2. Ovulation kits are quite affordable.
   
3. OPKs can give you results in just five minutes and with an accuracy rate of as high as 98 percent.
   

Disadvantages of OPKs

1. Conditions, like menopause and polycystic ovarian syndrome may lead to increased LH levels and cause the test to look positive, whether you ovulate or not.
   
2. OPKs only allow testing for a limited number of days due to its own limited amount of materials.
   
3. Urine concentration can affect the outcome of the test.
   
4. It can be hard to tell when the ovulation surge began with this kind of method.