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
Show my period on the 3rd of Aug, and now I have not seen my period. could I be pregnant?i will be happy if I am,wish me luck!
Hi Ellla, If you had unprotected sex then yes it is possible you are pregnant.
Hi steffy.. I got my period August 13 thru 16 I had unprotected sex on the 18 and the 21 is there a chance for me to be pregnant
If you have a regular 28 days cycle, you were most fertile on August 25 to 29. Note that if your cycle is irregular or if there are more or less days in your cycle then your fertile days would be different.
Hi. I saw my period last July 25 to 29 and had sex on August 8. Today is the 31st and no period. Do you think I’m pregnant?
The number of days in your cycle would help to determine your fertile days and provide a more accurate response to your question.
Had my period on Aug. 9. Baby dance on the 18, 20, 23 and 25. Cycle days range 29 or 30 days. Will this boost my conceiving chance? We’ve been trying for 6 years.
Based on the information, you were most fertile on August 22 to 26, 2015. Assuming that both of you are fertile, since you’ve been trying to get pregnant for so long, it’s best to monitor your cycle with an ovulation predictor kit. This link has the details http://womanjunction.com/ovulation-predictor-kits/
Hello. My last period was from July 25th-August 1st.. I was supposed to get my period sometime the 26 or so.. and it’s late. I have cramps but no signs of a period no spotting little to no discharge. I took a pregnancy test early response and was negative. Should I wait? I’ve been waiting for 2 weeks since I began having cramps 2 weeks ago. I normally get cramps a week ahead and they’re mild then spotting and the my actual period and I breakout from my face a lot. Is anybody experiencing this? Or have gone through this?
This link will guide you on how soon you can take a pregnancy test http://womanjunction.com/home-pregnancy-test/ The symptoms of spotting and acne are normal before or during a menstrual cycle. Many girls and women continue to have this experience.
Hi my name is Marie and I had my last period on August 1 through the 5 and I didn’t have sex I had oral sex and my boyfriend ejaculated on my stomach and my arms but when I look down I saw some fluid on the side of my vagina. It took like a good few minutes to wipe it off so now it’s been a week and I been peeing a lot my breast hurts sometimes and my stomach feels bloated and my period tracker said I’m supposed to get my period on August 29. I don’t usually get my period twice a month. Can I be pregnant because I’m afraid …I’m only 17. Help please.
It seems you have a 27 days cycle and that would explain why it would come twice in a month. The odds of becoming pregnant are low because he did not ejaculate inside you. The symptoms may be attributed to PMS. A delayed period may be attributed to other factors such as fatigue and stress. If your period is late by a week be sure to take a pregnancy test for confirmation.
Hi, my last period was July 30th, I had sex August 20th. I should have had my period on August 30th but it has not come. Could I be pregnant?
Hi Danielle, It’s always a possibility for you to become pregnant if you have unprotected sex I dont think you are pregnant though i think maybe you are just late.
Hello, I’m Carey. My last period was June 29th. I’ve taken four tests and they’re all negative. I have an appointment on Sep 10th for an obgyn. Wish me luck!
Good luck Carey!
Hi my last period was 7/21/15. Me and my husband had unprotected sex on 7/31, 8/3 . I take diuretic pills. Will the diuretic pills affect the pregnancy test because I took 5 tests and they were all negative?
Yes, diuretics can cause false negative results and it also dries the cervix. If you are trying to conceive, you must inform your doctor so that you can be properly treated.
Hi again. I’m Joan and my menstrual period has not come till now…it’s the 31st of August…so I’m pregnant now…because I have used a pregnancy test on August 26 but the result are negative.
If the test is negative and you still believe that you got pregnant then it’s best to take another test within another week. If you had unprotected sex while you were ovulating then the risk of being pregnant would surely be higher. If you didn’t then your period may be delayed because of other reasons.
My name is Josephine. I had my period on the 29th of June and I was supposed to ovulate on the 27 to 31st of July and I had sex on 31st but couldn’t get pregnant. Why did that have to happen?
Your not getting pregnant at this time can be due to many factors. It can take time to become pregnant but one way to increase your chances is to have sex before and during your fertile days, not just the last day.
hi my name is mara …… was spotting on the 18,19 of this same month of July 2015 my period came down brown then turn to a bright red period-it went from light to heavy it was over on the 29 of July …..i would like to know when can I really have sex to get pregnant? me and my husband want a baby so bad. i had sex from the 29, which was last-night. please help
In order to provide a more accurate response, you need to confirm the length of your cycle (that is the number of days from the start of one period to the start of the next period). You also need to state if you have a regular or irregular menstrual cycle.
I had my period on the 26th of July and it came again on the 28th of August. Please help me. When should I have sex with my husband because I want to have a baby?
Based on the information provided you have a 33 days cycle. Using the menstrual cycle calculator on our site http://womanjunction.com/ you were most fertile from August 12 to 16, 2015. You can use the calculator to track fertile days for September. All you need to enter is the first date of your last menstrual cycle and the usual number of days in your cycle.
If you still have a 33 days cycle, your next menstrual period is expected to start on September 30, 2015 and you will be most fertile period from September 14 to 18, 2015.
My period started on August 9 and ended on 20 August 2015. When will I ovulate?
Please confirm the number of days in your cycle. In other words, how often do you have a period? Some women will have a period every 25 days, other’s -every 28 days, etc.
Hi my period came on July 21 2015 I have not had my period this month. Me and my husband had sex on July 31 and August 3. I done countless pregnancy test and they where all negative. Could you give me an idea of why this could be happening? Thanks!
A missed period can be caused by many factors including fatigue and stress. The two links below will provide some perspective on your situation http://womanjunction.com/what-if-your-period-is-late/ and http://womanjunction.com/8-mess-period/
I had 2 mentrual period last july 2015. and the the first day of my last period is july27(My second menstrual period). my boyfriend and i had s*x last aug.14 15 16 is it possible for me to get pregnant?? Please reply..