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
I saw my period on 3rd September 2015 and I had sex with my husband on 21 and 22nd of September. My menstrual cycle is 45 days.I have severe headaches and sometimes I try to vomit. Any chance that I’m pregnant? I’m worried because I took alcoholic drink.
Based on the information provided, you were most fertile on October 02 to 06, 2015. Your next menstrual period is expected to start on October 18, 2015. You may not be pregnant but if your period does not come on October 18, you should wait another week and then take a pregnancy test.
I Was Nexplanon Birth Control Implant Since January 7 2015 To September 17 2015 . My Period Came On Normal Each Month When I Was On The Birth Control. My Last Period Was September 10,2015 . I Was Off The Birth Control September 17,2015. I Had Sex September 18, 21, 29-30, October 7 & October 9 . I Still Have Not Received My Period Yet. Could I Be Pregnant? & When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
The best time to take a test would be at least one week after you’ve missed a period. Read this post under our FAQ section (see Question 5) http://womanjunction.com/faq-frequently-asked-questions-menstrual-cycle-pregnancy-ovulation-abortion/
I had my period on the 28th of September…
Ended the second and had unprotected sex the fourth. Could I be pregnant?
My first day of my last period was on the October 3rd I had sex today with my boyfriend. Could I get pregnant?
Your chances of being pregnant depend on whether you were fertile on or around the date that you had sex. Can you confirm the number of days in your menstrual cycle? This information is needed to provide you with the most accurate response.
My last period was on Sep 22 usually I was supposed to have had my periods on 5 to 9 Oct. I have been having unprotected sex since then. What could be delaying, please help.
thank you 🙂
Hello, Yes you can get pregnant anytime if you have unprotected sex .
Had my period around 30th August to 5th September and had unprotected sex with my 5th day. I have not had my period in this month.
If your last period was August, you can take a pregnancy test now to confirm if you’re pregnant. If you’re not pregnant then you need to determine why you’ve been missing your period.
My period was due on the 11th October still no sign did a test on 11th but had a faint bfp then did one yesterday and bfn. When shall I do a test again?
Hi. You can get the most accurate result if you wait at least one week after missing your period. In addition, the result might be even more accurate if the test is done first in the morning as the urine is far more concentrated at this time. The urine-based home pregnancy tests offer great accuracy.
The last time I had a period was in August it stayed on for 2 weeks, then went off for a week, then came back around the 25th of August. I had huge blood clots and the pain was unbearable. I didn’t get any medical attention I just lived through it. Well that lasted until the 30th of August and here it is October and I haven’t seen my cycle yet. Someone help and tell me what I should do.
You first need to determine if you’re pregnant by taking a pregnancy test. If you’re not pregnant; you need to determine why your period is late. Some of the causes of a missed menstrual cycle include stress, change in regular schedule, travel, illness and use of certain medications. It would be best to consult your doctor for help in identifying which factor is causing the delay.
Hi, I’m 21 years old, I had sex with my boyfriend on 9 0ctober and my period time is before last month, it’s date was 20th of September and my boyfriend he released the sperm on me two times… So am I pregnant?
Your chances of being pregnant depend on whether you were fertile on or around the date that you had sex. Can you confirm the number of days in your menstrual cycle? This information is needed to provide you with the most accurate response.
Had my period on the 14th -17th of September had sex on the 30th Sept my cycle is 31 days. I took Postinor 2 within 12 hours should I be worried about being pregnant? My period is due on the 15 th of Oct, had spotting on the 12th of Oct. I’m worried.
Since you took the Postinor within a reasonable time you should not be too worried. Wait to see if your period will come on the expected date. The Postinor is known to delay menstrual cycles so don’t be too worried if it is a bit delayed.
Hi, my last period was Sept 5 my expected period is Oct 3 or 7 and I haven’t had my period yet. Should I already take the pregnancy test? Thank you.
You can get the most accurate result if you wait at least one week after missing your period. In addition, the result might be even more accurate if the test is done first in the morning as the urine is far more concentrated at this time. The urine-based home pregnancy tests offer great accuracy. You can take a test now.
My last period was September 4-8. I had sex September 10th, 25th & 26th. Took a test came back positive after I never received my October period. What could be the best date I actually got pregnant?
The most accurate answer can be provided if you indicate the number of days in your cycle.
Usually its every 30 days
Hi, my last period was Sept. 8, and I stop my pills on Sept. 17 and have unprotected sex til Oct. 6 and I got spotting on Sept. 22 to 24 which was my highest fertile day. But until now I don’t have my period which suppose to be this Oct. 8. is there any chance I get pregnant? And when is the best day to take a pregnancy test. More thanks!
It is always possible to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex. You can get the most accurate result if you wait at least one week after missing your period. In addition, the result might be even more accurate if the test is done first in the morning as the urine is far more concentrated at this time. The urine-based home pregnancy tests offer great accuracy.
My period started the 8 of October 2015 when my ovulation started I’m trying to get pregnant can you help me please I want to get pregnant before December please help me.
The best way to increase your chances of getting pregnant is to have sex during your fertile days. To do this you must keep a record of your menstrual cycle on a calendar or on a smart phone; there are many ovulation apps available. Track your start date every month for several months – this will help you to determine the constancy of your periods and the number of days between each period (also known as the number of days in your menstrual cycle). You can use our menstrual cycle calculator link download to help you to chart your fertile days. Plug in the relevant information and the calculator will do the rest.