You want to know the dates of your next period, ovulation or due date? You came to the right place. If you’re in a hurry you can go straight to our menstrual cycle calculator (click here) or Infographic with key information about calculating your period (click here).
Check the full table of content below.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Period & Ovulation Calculator
- How Do Menstrual Cycle Calculators Work?
- Using a Period Calculator
- How To Calculate Your Next Period & Ovulation Infographic
- Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Properly
- Understanding Your Next Menstrual Cycle and Fertilization.
- Some Important Information Regarding the Calculator
- Learn more
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
If you want to stand the best chance of getting pregnant, then you need to know when you are ovulating. This is the time of the month when women are in their most fertile period. Ovulation usually happens around day 14 of the cycle [1]), while there is a greater chance of a sperm reaching the egg and fertilizing it.
However, one of the biggest problems and question that people have is knowing how to calculate their next ovulation date and when is the best time to aim for intercourse. This is where technology can come in handy. You can use an ovulation calculator, like the one below, to get a rough estimate of when you are going to ovulate next.
Ovulation & Period Calculator
Use this period calculator to calculate your next period (menstruation), fertile period, ovulation, and due date. To give you an estimate as to when those time frames are, please provide the requested information and press the Calculate button (results will be shown below, together with a fertility calendar):
When did your last period start?
How many days did it last?
How long is your cycle?
Below are the results based on the information you provided:
Your next menstrual period is expected to start on
Your next most fertile period is from to
If you conceive within this timeframe, your estimated due date will be
- Pre-Period
- Period Days
- Post-Period
- Peak Ovulation
Please note that this is only an estimation of your menstrual cycle
A period calculator is not the same as talking to a healthcare professional, so this is just to aid you in coming up with the most accurate calculation possible, on your own.
Also, keep in mind that these calculators will be useful to women with a fairly regular menstrual cycle. For women with irregular menstrual cycle tracking other ovulation symptoms or using an ovulation predictor kit might give more accurate results, all of which we’ll cover later one.
How Do Menstrual Cycle Calculators Work?
Menstrual Cycle Calculators vary in complexity. Some will ask you for information such as your average body temperature, as well as various other bits and pieces about what your body is currently going through.
While there are women who measure their basal body temperature, it’s not something that the everyday woman uses.
However, it is a rather accurate way (when done 100% correctly) to determine when a woman is ovulating.
Some feel that these types of cycle calculators are “overkill”, but for those who are using the basal body temperature to prevent and plan a pregnancy, they have this information handy.
If you aren’t into this type of strict monitoring, a simple calculator like the one provided here can give you really good results and help you plan.
Using a Period Calculator
The first thing that the period calculator will ask you is the date of your last period. With so many apps available now, this should be information that is readily available.
And just remember, when calculating your period, you use the first day of your last period. This was the beginning of your cycle.
If you don’t know the exact first day, calculate back from the last day however long it lasted, and start tracking now. Especially if you are trying to get pregnant.
Some will use a menstruation calculator to figure out when to expect their periods and when to expect PMS. PMS is due to the change in hormones that cause periods and pregnancy.
When you are pregnant or during your period, these emotional and physical symptoms subside [2]. Some women can then plan to change their diet a few days before they expect PMS and help to alleviate some of the symptoms.
The next piece of information that you will be asked for is the average length of time between your periods. This is the length of the menstrual cycle. Of course, the human body does vary wildly here, and whilst some months there could be 30 days between your period, others it could be as low as 25.
However, you are only after an average here. Being as accurate as possible is important as this will affect the results that you are given which can have a profound effect on when the calculator tells you is the ideal time to try for a child.
Finally, you will be given your results. Based on the information you provided, it will calculate when your next period is anticipated and also your fertile period which is when you stand the best chance to get pregnant.
How To Calculate Your Next Period & Ovulation Infographic
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Properly
While you may already have a fair understanding of your own menstrual cycle, there are women who have cycle lengths that vary. Sometimes, your own cycle can be as short as 23 days on cycle and 28 or 30 days the next.
When a variation in menstrual cycle length occurs, it usually happens before you ovulate. This is referred to as the follicular phase which encompasses menstruation as well and ends when you ovulate [3]. A woman generally ovulates between days 12-16 of their cycle which is the start of the luteal phase [4].
There is a multitude of reasons as to why your period could be altered, be it stress or medications, even weight gain/loss or travel. Unless you think you are pregnant, it could be a myriad of reasons that have your period coming irregularly.
Understanding Your Next Menstrual Cycle and Fertilization
If you are trying to get pregnant you need to understand how the menstrual cycle works. The process starts when the thick lining of your womb starts to break up due to the decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels.
Without a sufficient amount of these hormones, your body will shed the lining and it will start to prepare for your next menstrual cycle.
However, if a sperm does make contact with and fertilizes the egg, it will close all pores to prevent more sperms from getting in there. The fertilized egg will stay in the fallopian tube for 3-4 days and then move to the uterus and attach to its wall, staying there for the long haul of pregnancy.
Your body will produce human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) or pregnancy hormone right away (which can be seen within 6-8 days by a blood test and can take about 2 weeks if not longer to be seen in urine tests) [5].
The body will continue to produce the required estrogen and progesterone hormones so that the womb lining will not be shed and the placenta can grow mature enough that it can support the pregnancy.
Some Important Information Regarding the Calculator
The period calculator above also comes with a fertility calendar. You can navigate through different months by clicking on the NEXT 2 MONTHS and PREVIOUS 2 MONTHS links. This allows you to plan and prepare for your fertile and menstrual periods in the upcoming months.
What you do need to remember though is that the information isn’t 100% accurate as it is impossible to predict the human body.
Your fertile period gives you a good range in when to have intercourse to potentially get pregnant. You can learn more about the likelihood of conception in this article.
That being said, the menstrual calculator is still an extremely useful tool. It provides a simple way of knowing when to anticipate your next period and when is the best time to try for getting pregnant.
This could be a huge help for those with busy schedules to plan their days to start their family.
Learn more
Want to learn more about your menstrual cycle? Find out how does the Fertility Calculator work or how to to calculate your period manually.
Want to know if you’re pregnant? Take this online pregnancy test, read more about the most common reasons why your period might be late or find out when it’s the best time to take a home pregnancy test.
FAQs
How do I calculate the length of my cycle?
Can I have sex during my period?
What is the average length for periods?
My period is really heavy; what can I do to change that?
Can I get pregnant if my periods are irregular?
How do I know if I need to see a doctor because my heavy periods?
Can I prevent PMS?
Do you have any other question about your period, ovulation, pregnancy or other related topics? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
References
- Your Fertility. Women’s Guide to Getting the Timing Right [link]
- Mayo Clinic. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). [link]
- Better Health Channel. Menstrual Cycle. [link]
- see above #3
- WebMD. Pregnancy and Conception. [link]
- Eleanor Jones via Cosmopolitan. 10 Questions Period All Guys Want Answered [link]
- Playtex. Period 101. [link]
- The University of Iowa. Birth Control Pill Fact Sheet. [link]
- WebMD. Slideshow: Answers to Your Top period Questions. [link]
- see above #9
This post is so cool. I never expected to find an answer relating to this topic Thank you for explaining it beautifully and for providing the links.
Do tender breasts indicate pregnancy? Also, if a woman feels pain in her lower areas, is it a cause for concern? I just hope I am pregnant though. I have taken tests and maybe this pregnancy calculator will help me.
Tender breasts could indicate pregnancy but also PMS and ovulation. Please take the online pregnancy test to check out the rest of the early symptoms.
If you feel sudden bouts of pain, please have a physical examination done by your gynecologist. You might be advised to go for a scan but do not panic as it is usually done to ensure there is no problem.
Hi,
I get my periods within 24 days. I know it is a bit frightening but never once has it changed. So, which days should I choose to have intercourse in order to become pregnant?
Please use the menstrual cycle calculator in order to avoid the days on which you stand the highest chance of becoming pregnant. You don’t need to worry about your periods as long as you are healthy
Thank you for the detailed information. It will be very useful for women who would like to become mothers. The calculator will also help in finding the right time.
I saw my period on 8th jan 2015 then on 30th jan I was confirmed preg but on 3rd feb I now see another period, does it mean I am not pregnant
Hi , if you had a confirmed pregnancy by pee on a stick test be careful, some medication can give false positive. Also … it is unfortunately happening after a positive test that … nature decide otherwise and making you miscarrying, please if you have doubt in this way, consult a physician.
Good luck
Hi , I had my period Dec 31 ,2014 and was suppose to start Feb 1 ,2015 and I know sometimes I’m a little late but my breast are really sore I’m having a little bit of cramping on my lower right side. I’ve had a lot of clear mucous discharge and I keep thinking it’s my period and it’s mucous can I be pregnant or to early to know?
hi,
those are ovulation symptoms ! try to conceive if it is your goal !
Good luck !
Hi, I had my last period on the 4th of january 2015 and I had sex on the 16th, I have been having a on and off cramps and I haven’t seen my period. Am I pregnant?
hello konyin, i need to know a bit more about your cycle to be able to answer this. for example how many days does your cycle last so I know your fertile period. you said you haven’t seen your period? konyin you need to take a pregnancy test to be sure. good luck
My last period was Dec,28th 2014 its now February 3rd,15 and still have no period. we are trying to conceive and had intercourse on most of my fertle days. could I be pregnant?
It is way too early to know, but if you have been trying to conceive there is a big possibility that you are pregnant. It is not of my concern, but if you have been using any hormonal pills, antibiotics or if you have been ill recently – that could have messed up your period as well.
I had my last period on 2nd of January 2015 and since than have not see my period for this month, but I had sex before my ovulation.
I had My last period December 25th and I had sex after My period and I haven’t got My period yet, I’m scared what do I do. is It to early to decide, I Don’t get My periods the same day, so i don’t know My cycle
Just after the period there’s a minimum chance for conceiving. Since you have not mentioned on which day you had intercourse, it is hard to tell for sure. If you feel uneasy or are experiencing some problems, please take a home pregnancy test. If it turns out to be positive, please go for a clinical examination.
I had last period date on 9th Jan 2015, had sex on 25th Jan… yet now…no periods… my nipples are tender .. pain in nipples and pain in abdomen… am i pregnant?
Hi my last period was january 1, I have a 32 days cycle i had sex within my ovulation period and expected to have my period today but i haven’t seen any sign of my next period.. Is it possible for me to get pregnant?
of course it’s possible if you didn’t use any kind of protection.
But it’s too early to say if you’re pregnant. wait a couple more days and then take a home pregnancy test
good luck!
Hello
I had my period december 20th 2014 i am a 37-38 day cycle . i had sex on january 10th but did not ejaculate inside but there i know of precum that could have live sperm , first time having sex in about a year. I did have a period on january 27th and the 28th 2015. bleed not to heavy , no spotting, as my period is normaly heavy so this was just a bit off, i did not take a test yet cause im uncertain if i am, my normal periods are about 3-4 days. i don’t have many symtoms if i am. I do have a bit of quzzyness an headaches and tired alot more then normal.
If I started a menstrual cycle on Dec 28,2014 Dont I still suppose to have a period for the month of Jan.2015?
Me too, I had my last period Dec 29, 2014. It is now Feb 2, 2015 and still no period?
i had my last period on the 31st of last month i haven’t seen a sign of my next period.what can i do?
Hi Oluchi
Use the free online pregnancy test. It is a series of questions and if you answer positive to the questions asked, there could be a possibility that you are pregnant. This will help you determine whether you must go for a clinical confirmation.
Sometimes, it is too early to predict. So, please observe if you are experiencing any symptoms of pregnancy as mentioned in the online pregnancy test. If you answer positive, go ahead for a consultation with a gynecologist.
Hi,
I am suppose to see my period y’day which is 29 January 2015 but to-date nothing. My last period started 01 January 2015 and i am 28 days cycle . My only worry is i took some tabs to stop period on 04-05 January and i had sex. Then on 9-10
January i see again my period. On 23-25 i had sex again. I am pregnant?
Dear Irene,
Please do not panic. Do give yourself a few days before you start worrying.
After a few days, check whether you have any pre menstrual pains or signs. If not, please attempt the online pregnancy test and then go for a clinical test. I hope this helps.
Hi did u receive my question