Having a baby is one of the biggest milestones of life. It is the beginning of a new journey that changes the lives of couples forever. However, getting pregnant is not always easy, and many couples struggle to conceive.

One of the biggest challenges in conceiving is finding the right time to have sex. A fertility tracker is a device that helps couples in tracking their menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertile days to increase the chances of getting pregnant.

What is a Fertility Tracker?

A fertility tracker is a device that helps women in tracking their menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertile days. It is a small device that can be worn on the wrist or placed in the vagina.

The device tracks the changes in hormones and temperature to predict the most fertile days of the month.

How Does a Fertility Tracker Work?

A fertility tracker works by detecting the hormones that change throughout the menstrual cycle. These hormones are estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH). Estrogen levels rise as the egg starts to mature, and then LH levels surge just before ovulation.

A fertility tracker detects these hormone changes to predict the most fertile days of the month. Some fertility trackers also measure the basal body temperature, which rises slightly after ovulation, indicating that the fertile window has closed.

Types of Fertility Trackers

There are two types of fertility trackers: basal body temperature (BBT) and hormone-based trackers.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Trackers

Basal body temperature (BBT) trackers measure a woman’s temperature every morning before she gets out of bed. BBT trackers can predict when ovulation has occurred by tracking the slight increase in temperature after ovulation.

Some BBT trackers also come with an alarm to remind women to take their temperature every morning.

Hormone-Based Trackers

Hormone-based trackers use urine tests to detect the levels of LH hormones in the body. LH hormones surge just before ovulation occurs. Hormone-based trackers can predict the fertile window for the next few days.

Benefits of Using a Fertility Tracker

Using a fertility tracker has several benefits, including:.

Increases chances of getting pregnant
Reduces the stress and anxiety of not knowing when to have sex
Helps in identifying any irregularities in the menstrual cycle
Helps in planning for contraception
Can be used as a natural family planning method

Factors That Affect Fertility

Several factors can affect fertility. Understanding these factors can help couples increase their chances of getting pregnant.

Age

Age is one of the biggest factors that affect fertility. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and as they age, the quality and quantity of their eggs decrease.

The chances of getting pregnant start declining after the age of 30, and the decline becomes steeper after the age of 35.

Weight

Weight can also affect fertility. Women who are overweight or underweight may have irregular menstrual cycles, making it difficult to predict ovulation. Studies have shown that a body mass index (BMI) of between 20 and 24 is ideal for conception.

Smoking

Smoking can negatively affect fertility for both men and women. Smoking can damage the eggs, impair the quality of the sperm, and increase the risk of miscarriage. If you are trying to conceive, it is best to quit smoking.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Alcohol and drug use can also negatively affect fertility. They can interfere with hormone production and disrupt ovulation. It is best to avoid alcohol and drugs when trying to conceive.

Conclusion

A fertility tracker can be a useful tool for couples who are trying to conceive. It can aid in identifying the most fertile days of the month and increase the chances of getting pregnant.

However, it is important to remember that a fertility tracker should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, and it is always best to consult a doctor before embarking on the journey of parenthood.