Ovulation Tracking Challenges: Understanding Basal Body Temperature & Fertility

Question
WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET PREGNANT FOR SOME TIME, BEEN TO THE DOCTOR AND THEY SAID I AM HEALTHY. BUT I AM HAVING TROUBLE FIGURING OUT WHEN I OVULATE. I TAKE MY TEMP. AND OVULATION TESTS. MY TEMP. DOESN'T RISE WHEN THE STICK SAYS I AM OVU. I HAVE A REGULAR 27 DAY CYCLE AND OVU. TESTS SAY I OVULATE AROUND THE 8TH DAY AFTER MY PERIOD. MY TEMP. EVENTUALLY DOES RISE AROUND THE 21ST DAY AFTER PERIOD BUT NEGATIVE ON STICK. DO MOST PEOPLES TEMP. RISE SHORTLY AFTER OVULATION? SHOULD I GO WITH THE STICK OR TEMP? ANYTHING YOU CAN TELL ME WILL HELP...THANK YOU

Answer
If you have a normal 29 day cycle (from the first day of your period until the first day of your next period) ovulation occurs on cycle day #15. You can only conceived if you have unprotected sex on cycle day #14,15,16, or 17 each month. The ovulation kits measure a rise in LH (luteinizing hormone) which precedes ovulation by around 12 hours. I would suggest that you start having intercourse on cycle day #14 (counting from the first day of your period). and continue having sex until cycle day #17 each month. A temperature chart is a very inaccurate method of determining ovulation time. It may be easier to purchase a digital ovulation predictor monitor to help pinpoint the date of ovulation. When ovulation occurs there is a hyperthermic reaction, which is why the temperature slightly rises at the time of ovulation. YOu have to use the special ovulation thermometers that measure only from 97-100 degrees in tenths.