Usually a regular menstrual cycle and premenstrual tension means that a woman has a normal ovulation. There is a simple method of ovulation testing. It means taking basal temperature. Any woman can do it in her home and on her own. It takes a little time and does not require a visit to a doctor.

A basal body temperature is a temperature taken from the parts that are close to viscous, i.e. oral cavity, rectum, or, vagina. It is taken in the morning immediately after awakening, even before getting out of bed, before breakfast.

A woman should take a basal body temperature at the same time each morning, and at the same place for 5 minutes in her oral cavity, or, for 7 minutes in the rectum or vagina.

It is best if she uses an electronic thermometer. A regular thermometer is also appropriate - but you should use it with great care. In this case, a necessary precaution is to put a condom on the thermometer.

This method is used to determine the occurrence and time of ovulation. It is performed by observing a temperature curve during several cycles. The basal body temperature grows by 0.30C during the period after menstruation and before ovulation. After it the basal body temperature reduces a little bit and stabilizes at a level that is a little bit higher than the level before ovulation (about 37.0C). The data should be noted in a table and then a basal body temperature graphics chart is made. Thus a woman can accurately define the best period of time for conception. It is 4 days before a temperature jumps and 4 days after it.

If the basal temperature remains lower than 37.0C it means that there is no ovulation during this cycle.

Sometimes it means that a woman has so-called anovulatory cycle. It can occur in case of ovary dysfunction when an ovary does not release any ovum. At the same time, the ovary does not release any sex hormones that regulate contraction of the uterine tube and normal development of endometrium.

We can name the method of basal body temperature as the most effective one. But it would be better if a woman also will test follicle diameter by ultrasonic scanning.

There are some biochemical investigations that can show if an ovulation occurs in the current menstrual cycle. For example, an ovulation is shown by an increase of progesterone in the blood.

If a woman has any ovulation disorders she can stimulate it. There are many ovulation induction medications: clomiphene, gonadotropin, and others. Its effectiveness is quite high. In 80 per cent of cases of its intake an ovulation occurs, and a pregnancy occurs in 40 per cent of cases.

But these medications are very expensive and have many serious side effects. So a woman should take it only under medical supervision.

There are also many folk remedies for stimulation the reproductive function. For example, common plantain. One tablespoon of common plantain seeds and one glass of water are drawn for 15-20 minutes in warm place. Then it is boiled for 5 minutes. Then it is cooled and filtered. You should take one tablespoon of the decoction three times a day for 1-2 months.

Usually folk remedies are very effective and practically have no side effects. But still it is better to consult a doctor before taking and be very careful.