Irregular Periods & Fertility: Understanding Ovulation Naturally

Question
Last year, due to stress, i was experiencing changes in my normal 31 day cycle and in between spotting. I was on the pill for 3 months. It got back to 31 day cycle for a month and now every month since then(dec) im on a 36 day cycle. Im hoping to get pregnant. I know i would be ovulating around day 20-21. But other then those expensive ovulation kits, how do i know im ovulating? Do  i need to go back on the pill again? THanks for giving your time to people like me who dont seem to be getting any answers from their docs!

Answer
Dear Aimee

The most popular and cheapest method to monitor ovulation is the basal body temperature chart. You record your basal teperature daily, before getting up from bed in the morning and before u have ur morning tea or starting any activity, starting the first day after the end of your menstruation. Around the time of ovulation, there will be an increase by 0.2 to 0.5 degrees centigrade in temperature dure to the thermogenic effect of progesterone hormone which is released immediately after ovulation. U need to ask a pharmacist or check any of the available websites to convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit if u are living in the USA.

The disadvantage of this method is that any infection which causes a rise in temperature may affect its accuracy and you should be careful about this point.

Good Luck