Trying to conceive when your cycles aren’t regular can feel like shooting in the dark. One month you ovulate early, the next month it’s late — or it doesn’t seem to happen at all. But the good news is: you can track ovulation, even with irregular periods. You just need the right tools and a little know-how.
Here’s how to do it.
1. Understand What “Irregular” Really Means
An irregular cycle means your cycle length varies from month to month — maybe it’s 28 days one cycle and 40 the next. This can happen for lots of reasons, including:
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
- Endometriosis
- Coming off hormonal birth control
- Stress, travel, or illness
- Thyroid or hormonal imbalances
Irregular doesn’t mean impossible. It just means your fertile window is harder to pinpoint — which is why tracking ovulation is key.
2. Use Ovulation Tests (OPKs) Regularly
Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) detect the LH (luteinizing hormone) surge that happens 24–48 hours before ovulation.
✅ What to do:
- Start testing earlier than usual — around day 8 if your cycles vary a lot
- Test once a day, at the same time, and increase to twice a day when the line starts to darken
- Look for a positive — the test line should be as dark or darker than the control line
Pro tip: Women with PCOS may get multiple surges or false positives. That’s why combining OPKs with other methods can give a fuller picture.
3. Track Your Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
BBT tracking involves taking your temperature first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed. After ovulation, progesterone causes your body temperature to rise slightly.
✅ What to do:
- Use a digital BBT thermometer
- Record your temperature daily in an app or notebook
- Look for a pattern: a slight rise (about 0.3–0.5°C) that stays elevated
Heads up: BBT tells you after ovulation has happened, so it’s most useful when combined with OPKs to confirm it.
4. Watch Your Cervical Mucus
Your body gives you clues every day — cervical mucus changes throughout your cycle.
✅ What to look for:
- Dry or sticky: not fertile
- Creamy: maybe approaching fertile
- Egg white, stretchy, slippery: very fertile — ovulation is near!
This is a completely free, real-time clue that’s often very accurate (and works even when periods are irregular).
5. Use a Fertility App — But Don’t Rely on Predictions Alone
Apps can help you track your data, but if your cycles are irregular, the predictions won’t always be spot-on.
✅ What to do:
- Use the app to log OPKs, BBT, and symptoms
- Look for patterns over time
- Ignore the predicted fertile window and go by your own data
6. Know When to Get Help
If you’ve been trying for over 12 months (or 6 months if you’re over 35), or if you suspect something like PCOS or endometriosis is making things harder, it’s worth checking in with your GP or a fertility specialist. You can still get pregnant — but a little expert support might save you time and heartache.
In Summary
You can track ovulation with irregular cycles — it just takes a bit more patience and a few extra tools.
👉 Combine OPKs + BBT + cervical mucus for the most accurate picture
👉 Start testing early, track daily, and look for patterns
👉 Don’t wait too long to ask for help if things don’t feel right
Need reliable ovulation tests?
At FruitfulStore.co.nz, we offer high-quality, easy-to-read ovulation and pregnancy tests that ship fast and discreetly across New Zealand — perfect for irregular cycles and TTC journeys that need a little extra support.