There is a simple technique designed to tell you when you are ovulating or not. Women have used these methods as a means of birth control and fertility planning, however it also allows those residents of the jungle to check if the ovaries are working properly.

You will need a glass basal body thermometer. (The glass type is best as it is most accurate. It is divided into tenths and easier to read the small differences.) Ask your pharmacist for a glass basal thermometer.

You will need some paper to chart your temperatures. This website is a great help, providing downloadable files and charts: http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/bbt/bbt.html

Important: Take your temperature when you first wake up in the morning, before you get up to go to the bathroom or have anything to eat or drink. THese activities can alter your body temperature even slightly and alter the results of your temperature charting. You should see a slight rise in your temperature at some point in the cycle. The slight rise is indicative of ovulation. Your temperature should stay at this "elevated level for 14 days, and then drop and remain at that lower temp until you ovulate again."

Each woman's cycle is different but should be approximately what it was pre-hysterectomy.

Idea: Keep a diary of how you are feeling on each day.

Take your chart with your to your doctor's visit to discuss Hormone Therapy Replacement and other options. Knowing how you are feeling and providing the chart will help your doctor to provide the best input he/she can provide.