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TCOYF shows more than one ovulation day, why?

While TCOYF may show more than one day with "Ovulation (method)" displayed in a single cycle in the Calendar, it only displays a single ovulation icon to represent the definitive ovulation estimate for that cycle. This can occur if, in addition to the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), you are using other methods to estimate ovulation and determine your fertility (such as ovulation predictor kits and/or an electronic fertility monitor). 

Different methods can yield different results for the ovulation estimate.  TCOYF displays each method's result on the appropriate day but only displays the ovulation icon on the definitive day, as determined by your Calculation sequence setting within the Calculations tab of the Preferences window.  Note that if your primary method in the calculation sequence does not identify ovulation but one of the other methods does, TCOYF will use the ovulation estimate of the other method and show the ovulation icon on that day.  If ovulation is later predicted by the primary method, then TCOYF will move the ovulation estimate to day predicted by the primary method.

Since this can be confusing, let's review an example:

    Suppose you have selected "Fertility signs" as the primary indicator under the Calculation sequence... setting, with "Electronic fertility monitor" as the secondary indicator. 

    "Peak" fertility monitor results on cycle days 16 and 17 predict ovulation will occur on cycle day 17, however your fertility signs do not yet reflect this. 

    TCOYF will show CD 17 as the definitive ovulation estimate until 4 days later, your fertility signs do show that CD 18 was the likely day of ovulation.  When this happens, the ovulation icon moves from CD 17 to CD 18, CD 17 continues to show "Ovulation (Monitor)", while CD 18 is now labeled "Ovulation (FAM)". Your luteal phase and all "DPO" ("days past ovulation") counts will be based upon the CD 18 ovulation estimate.

    If your fertility signs do not reflect ovulation (or you do not enter enough data to make a determination), then TCOYF will continue to use your fertility monitor results as the primary indicator of ovulation in this cycle.

My ovulation icons ("eggies") disappeared after a recalculation, how can I get them back?

TCOYF provides great flexibility in letting you determine how it interprets your fertility signs.  Generally, if TCOYF is unable to calculate for ovulation, it is due to a single preference setting, the Signs to use... option under the Calculation tab of the Preferences window. 

To determine whether this is your problem, click the Edit option in the main TCOYF menu and select Preferences from the list.  Click the Calculations tab when the Preferences window opens.  If the setting for the Signs to use... drop-down has "no further prompting" in it such as in the example below, unlock the cycle for editing and change this back to "Temperature and Cervical Fluid":

The "Temp and cervical fluid, no further prompting" selection was made by TCOYF during a calculation when it asked if you wanted to use either temperature or cervical fluid alone in your ovulation analysis in the current cycle.  This is because one, but not both, of your primary fertility signs seemed to indicate that ovulation had already occurred.  TCOYF advised you that it wouldn't ask again if you answered this question No. 

When you answer it No, you're essentially telling TCOYF that you want to use both signs, regardless of whether one is in disagreement with the other.  Because of this, if one of them indicates ovulation has occurred and the other doesn't, no ovulation determination will be made until both are in agreement.  If no thermal shift or no cervical fluid dry-up occurs, then ovulation will not be estimated for the entire cycle.

You should also check the TCOYF rule interpretation setting, setting it to Normal is recommended, as this makes it easier for TCOYF to estimate your ovulation date.

If you use ovulation predictor kits and/or an electronic fertility monitor, you should also review the Calculation sequence... option on this tab to make sure you have them set appropriately.  The help text that appears to the right of the window (not pictured in the illustration above) explains in detail how each of these options works.

If you make changes to your Preferences TCOYF will ask you if you want to recalculate the cycle in question when you close them -- click Yes.   If your fertility signs indicate it, then ovulation will be calculated this time, provided you pay close attention to the questions presented and the answers you provide during the recalculation.  If TCOYF asks you if you want to use a temperature-only or cervical fluid-only rule in the cycle in question, you should probably answer Yes.

If this is not the cause, then please refer to Analysis & Calculation Issues FAQ Item 1 for more things to check.

Whenever I enter a temperature TCOYF changes it to something else, why?

The time you take your temperature each morning is important -- for the proper practice of Fertility Awareness you must take it within 20 minutes of the same time each day.  This is because your temperature begins rising in a predictable and consistent pattern from very early in the morning (around 3:30 a.m. or so) up until the point it reaches your normal waking body temperature of 37° Celsius / 98.6° Fahrenheit.  If you take your temperature 20 minutes before or after your normal waking time then TCOYF may adjust it to what it would have been had you taken it at the proper time.  How it does this is dependent upon the setting for Adjust temperatures disturbed by early or late entry option within the Temperature & Time tab of the Preferences window.  Please refer to the help text on that window for more details.

If the temperature changes to something completely different as soon as you enter it, then you should check the decimal separator you are using.  TCOYF adheres to the standard Windows regional settings for the decimal symbol, therefore, you must use the decimal symbol specified by Windows when entering your daily temperature. For example, if your settings indicate that a comma is used as a decimal symbol, then to represent "thirty-six and six-tenths degrees Celsius" you would enter "36,6". If your settings indicate a period is to be used, then you would enter "36.6". If in doubt, you can always just click the up/down arrows on the spin button next to an empty temperature box and the program will show you how your decimal symbol should be entered.

To confirm or change your current Windows settings for the decimal symbol, you can click Start in the Windows taskbar, then Settings, then Control Panel, then open the Regional Settings icon and click the Number tab. The decimal symbol is the first option on this tab and can be modified here.

How do I change the colors and icons on the Calendar?

Click Edit in the main TCOYF menu, then select Preferences from the list of options.  When the Preferences window opens, click the Icons & Colors tab and make your selections there. 

The Calendar colors sometimes come up as black, brown and/or an ugly shade of green. Why is this happening and how can I fix this?

This is a known issue that currently has no known cause, other than a Windows system "mistake."  It can sometimes happen on the Calendar, usually when one of its icons are being redrawn by TCOYF after a change.  We're working on finding the root cause and implementing a solution, but until we do, you can fix it by closing TCOYF and restarting it (normally you do not need to reboot to fix it, just close and restart the program itself).

What are the colored days in the future that I see on my Calendar? I know I didn't enter them, so why are they there?

These are days created by the Fertility Planner, specifically within the Cycle Forecasting and/or Delivery Planning tabs.  If you turn on Cycle Forecasting by checking the Forecast future cycle events box within this tab, then TCOYF will optionally project the start date, menses days, fertile days, and ovulation date for the specified number cycles into the future.  It will also project your fertile days and ovulation date for the current cycle, provided you have not yet gone beyond its estimate. 

If you turn on Delivery Planning by checking the Show planning dates in Calendar box within this tab, then TCOYF will identify the necessary conception date and the days you need to have intercourse in order to reach your targeted delivery date.

These projections are made using your own historical cycle information, so they are more accurate than the typical day-counting calculators available on many websites today.  If you know that TCOYF's calculated historical cycle information is not consistent with your own history, you can even override the values it uses to make these projections.

I see the word "triphasic" on my Calendar, what does this mean?

This indicates that TCOYF has identified a possible triphasic temperature pattern for the current cycle. 

Sometimes the implantation of a fertilized egg causes additional progesterone to be released, which in turn may cause your temperatures to rise again after ovulation. This may result in a clear identification of three temperature levels on your chart: 1) pre-ovulation "low" temperatures; 2) immediate post-ovulation thermal shift temperatures; and 3) post-implantation temperatures above the thermal shift level temperatures. It is this third level which is responsible for the term "triphasic" in describing this condition.

Implantation does not always cause a triphasic pattern, so the absence of such a pattern is not necessarily indicative of not being pregnant. Additionally, not all triphasic patterns are evidence of implantation, so you may experience them and not be pregnant. TCOYF will identify triphasic patterns when they occur and notify you within the Fertility Advisor.

I see "DPO" on my Calendar, what does this mean?

DPO is an acronym for "days past ovulation" and indicates how many days after your estimated ovulation date the selected cycle date is.  Many women like to count DPO because if it exceeds 17 DPO (or 3 days beyond your normal luteal phase length), pregnancy is likely.  Additionally, most home pregnancy tests are not accurate enough to detect pregnancy hormones until 12 DPO, so counting days can save you money by avoiding unnecessary testing at too early a time in your cycle.

How do I recalculate a cycle?

From the Calendar, select the date you wish to recalculate from (it can be any date, not just the start of a cycle) and right-click it.  Then select Recalculate from this Date... from the pop-up menu that appears.

 
I messed up my data. How do I start over with a new database? How do I delete everything?

Click File in the TCOYF menu, then select New Database...  Then follow the instructions presented in the New Cycle Database Wizard.

How do I delete days in TCOYF? It seems that every time I try to do this, it adds them back!

If you are deleting a day which is between two existing days in the Calendar, then TCOYF will have to have to add it back, but it will remove all of the fertility signs that had previously been recorded.

If you want to delete a range of dates at the end (or the beginning) of all of your other entries, then click Edit in them main TCOYF menu and select Mass Delete... from the list of options.  This will bring up a window that lets you delete a large number of days in a single step.

Whenever I change previous entries, it takes forever for TCOYF to recalculate them. Is there anything I can do about this?

There are date scrolling buttons on either side of the date box at the lower left within the Fertility Signs window. After editing data on a particular day, do NOT click the OK button.  Instead, use the scrolling buttons to move to the other days that require editing.  When all editing is complete, you can click the OK button and TCOYF will begin recalculating all days that were edited, starting with the "oldest" first.

If you need to "jump" ahead or back months at a time, using the scrolling buttons can be tedious.  In that case, simply double-click the date box itself and a mini-calendar will appear. Simply select the day you wish to edit from the calendar, using the scroll buttons within the mini-calendar if you need to move to a different month.  Again, when you are finished editing all days, simply click the OK button within the Fertility Signs window and TCOYF will begin recalculating your cycles from the earliest day you modified.  Note that you can edit as many days as desired before closing the Fertility Signs window.

How do I interpret my cervical fluid and vaginal sensation signs?

Because it is such an important sign in determining your fertility, your cervical fluid should be observed starting the first day after menstruation or on the day that TCOYF recommends via the Fertility Advisor (within the "Signs to Record" section). It should continue to be monitored until ovulation is identified and TCOYF advises you that you may stop observing it.

Vaginal Sensations
Focus on the vaginal sensations you experience throughout the day. These sensations are very useful and are easily distinguished by most women when they are understood. Does the area outside the vagina feel dry, sticky, wet, or slippery/lubricative?

Check your cervical fluid each time you use the bathroom during the day. When you urinate, wipe clean toilet paper, folded instead of crumpled, across your labia. Note the sensation as you wipe: does it feel dry, wet, or lubricative?

Cervical Fluid
After urination, separate your labia and check the quality of your cervical fluid at the lower opening with either clean toilet paper or your fingers. Again, does it feel dry, sticky, wet or lubricative?

If using toilet paper, touch the paper to feel your cervical fluid. Lift your finger off of the toilet paper to see if the fluid stretches, and if so, how far. If using your fingers, touch them together. Lift a finger off of the other to check the stretchiness of the fluid.

Observe the color of the cervical fluid. Is it opaque, cloudy, or clear?

Throughout the day, check your underwear when you use the bathroom. The most fertile quality cervical fluid (wet and stretchy) frequently leaves a symmetrical circle in your underwear, the less fertile sticky-quality fluid leaves a rectangular or linear mark.

During a bowel movement, pay close attention to your cervical fluid as the process may cause the eggwhite-quality fluid to flow out quickly.

Recording Your Observations in TCOYF
After making these observations throughout the day, record the most fertile quality cervical fluid observed. Most cervical fluid can be described as follows, from the least fertile to the most fertile:

    * Dry: No fluid is present or there is just a slight dampness that dissipates quickly on exposure to air. The equivalent vaginal sensation is "dry," as well.

    * Sticky: Not truly wet, feels sticky or tacky to the touch, perhaps similar to rubber cement. May be opaque white or yellow in color, although it is also clear sometimes. The equivalent vaginal sensation is "moist."

    * Creamy: Has a smooth feel similar to hand lotion, typically cloudy in appearance, either white or yellow. Is sometimes wet and watery, although it is very thin and doesn't stretch much. The equivalent vaginal sensation is "wet."

    * Eggwhite: Typically clear, but may have brown, bloody or cloudy streaks. Similar to raw eggwhite in appearance and feel, very slippery. May stretch from 1 to 10 inches. The equivalent vaginal sensation is "lubricative."

 I just had a miscarriage, how do I record this in TCOYF?

As bad as this may sound, you should mark the day of miscarriage as Menses in TCOYF's Fertility Signs window, as this is how your body will respond to it. If you had previously indicated in the Fertility Planner that you were pregnant during this cycle, TCOYF will automatically exclude this cycle from statistical calculations. If you did not indicate that you were pregnant, you should select Edit in the TCOYF menu, then select Override Calculations...  Select the cycle where you were pregnant and had the miscarriage, unlock the cycle by clicking the lock icon (you will see it "unlock"), then select the option at the bottom labeled Exclude cycle, regardless of what TCOYF determines. Then click Close.  Depending upon how long it takes your body to get back to normal, you may wish to do this for the cycle after your miscarriage, as well. Frequently, however, your body resumes its normal fertility patterns immediately after a miscarriage.

We will be adding an option for you to record a miscarriage without marking it as menstruation in a future release.

The Fertility Advisor shows an error when retrieving a date, how can I fix this?

Recalculate from the date where the error is occurring by following the instructions above.