| How to Determine Fertility Posted: 18 Jun 2020 01:00 AM PDT Fertility, or the ability to become pregnant, is very important for all sexually active adults to consider, whether you're trying to start a family or looking for ways to practice safe sex. Although it's easy to chart, tracking, determining, and improving your chances at fertility requires a lot of patience. While it's always best to bring any serious fertility concerns to a medical professional, there are plenty of methods and procedures you can use as you plan for the next big step in your adult life. [Edit]Choosing the Best Time to Conceive - Take an at-home ovulation test for a quick way to find out when you ovulate. Pick up an ovulation test online or at your local drugstore. Around 3-5 days before you expect to start ovulating, pee on one of the sticks in the fertility kit, then wait a few seconds to see if the right hormones are "surging." Use the other sticks in the kit to test your hormone levels multiple days in a row. Once your hormone levels increase dramatically, you can probably assume that you'll ovulate in a day or so.[1]
- Read the instructions that come with your kit for more specific guidance.
- Track your menstrual cycle to figure out how long it is. Use a spare notebook to jot down some basic info, like your temperature, or if you're currently on your period. If you're on your period, mention if your bleeding is regular or especially heavy, or if you're experiencing a lot of pain. You can also use this diary to track how long your average period is.[2]
- Your menstrual cycle refers to the total length of time between 2 periods, while your period refers to your menstrual bleeding.
- For a regular diary entry, you can include the date, your body temperature, as well as any symptoms you had throughout the day.
- Calculate your most fertile day using your past cycles. Look at your past 4-6 recorded cycles, and find the shortest one. Remove 18 days from the total length of that cycle. Transfer that number to a calendar or journal where you're tracking your current menstrual cycle. To figure out when your fertile window ends, subtract 11 from the length of the longest menstrual cycle you've had.[3]
- For instance, if your shortest cycle was 27 days, subtract 18 from that number, which gives you 9. If your most recent menstrual cycle started on the 6th of the month, you'd circle the 15th as your first fertile day.
- If your longest cycle was 32 days, subtract 11 from 32, which gives you 21. If your current menstrual cycle started on the 6th, you'd mark down the 27th as the end of your fertile window, which is 21 days after the 6th.
- Try to get pregnant between the 8th and 19th days of your cycle. Use your tracking journal to figure out how long your menstrual cycle is. If your average cycle is between 26 and 32 days, check a calendar to figure out when the 8th and 19th days of your cycle are. Try having intercourse consistently during those 11 days, which may lead to a successful pregnancy.[4]
- If you're not trying to get pregnant, use extra caution when having sex during this part of your cycle.
- This is also known as the "Standard Days" method.
- Don't be discouraged if you don't see results right away! It may be tricky to get the timing exactly right.
- Look for stretchy, slipper cervical mucus to confirm your fertile days. Look at your underwear or vaginal canal to see what kind of mucus, or vaginal discharge, shows up. If your discharge is dry, you probably aren't fertile. When your discharge is slippery and stretchy, there's a chance that you may be fertile. As you continue to check your discharge, use your journal to track the texture and amount of mucus that you have.[5]
- Once you've had slippery mucus for at least 2 days, you can assume that you're fertile.
- You can also check your cervical mucus by rubbing a clean finger inside your vagina.
- Dry, cloudy, slippery, sticky, and wet are all different words you can use to describe your discharge.
- Record your temperature throughout your cycle to determine when you're infertile. Visit a pharmacy or health supply store to pick up a traditional or rectal (basal) thermometer. Take your temperature for 5 minutes, then write down the average temperature in your menstrual cycle journal. Try to track your temperature throughout your cycle, and take note of whenever it goes up. Note that when your temperature is consistently higher than average for at least 3 days, you likely won't get pregnant.[6]
- The infertile window, or "safe days" end once your average temperature drops before the beginning of your period.
- This method isn't super effective on its own—it's best if you use the cervical mucus method (or another method of your choice) to see if you're fertile or not.
- You'll likely have the most accurate results if you check your vaginal temperature.
- Use the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) if you're a new mother. Examine your current lifestyle, especially if you've recently had a child. Try tracking your menstrual cycle, as well as how often you're breastfeeding. If you haven't had a period since giving birth, have a child that's younger than 6 months, and breastfeed your child on a regular basis, you may be infertile.[7]
- Live a healthy lifestyle to improve your fertility as a male. Cut back on smoking and drinking if you do either of these on a regular basis, as these habits may lower your sperm production overall. Additionally, opt for comfortable, breathable underwear to prevent any heat stress.[8]
- Certain medications, like anabolic steroids, may lower your fertility.
[Edit]Improving Your Ability to Conceive - Test your sperm to see if it's fertile. Find a home sperm test online or at your local pharmacy. Use this test to analyze a sample of your sperm to see how concentrated it is. If you ejaculate at least 20 million sperm per millimeter, you may not have to worry about any fertility issues. If you ejaculate less than 20 million sperm per millimeter, then you may want to talk to a doctor about further fertility tests.[9]
- Keep in mind that sperm count may not determine if you're fertile or not.
- This test can let you know if you need to see a doctor or not.
- Try having sex on a regular basis when you're fertile. During your fertile window, plan to have intercourse with your partner every 2-3 days. When you have sex consistently, you're more likely to conceive a child.[10]
- Talk to your doctor about stopping contraception. If you're currently on birth control, you probably won't have much luck getting pregnant. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to figure out the best way to adjust your daily regimen so you can safely and successfully conceive a child.[11]
- Other forms of contraception, like condoms, will greatly lower your chances of conceiving a child.
- See a doctor for fertility tests if you can't conceive. Ask your doctor if there are any tests that you can do to find out if you're fertile. If you're having trouble conceiving, there might be something more serious that's causing the problem. Depending on your doctor's professional opinion, you may want to get a hormone or imaging test to see what the issue is.[12]
- A hysteroscopy or hysterosalpingography lets your doctor examine your uterus and other reproductive organs for damage. Men might get a vasography, which examines the vas deferens.
- Blood tests and other procedures may also be taken to check testosterone levels, as well as any pre-existing conditions. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome or premature ovarian failure may be less likely to conceive.
- Ask your doctor if there's any medications that can improve your chances at fertility and conception, like a treatment for erectile dysfunction.[13]
- Look into surgical options if your at-home tests aren't working well.[14]
- Having sex more often may increase your chances of conceiving a child.[15]
- A low-stress, low-caffeine lifestyle may help boost your chances of conceiving a child.[16]
[Edit]Warnings - As frustrating as it is, infertility doesn't always have a discernible cause. Keep this in mind when you visit the doctor.[17]
[Edit]References |
| How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner Posted: 17 Jun 2020 05:00 PM PDT Cleaning your window air conditioner regularly is vital to keeping it in good working order. Remove and rinse the filter monthly during the cooling season. When it's not in use, store the unit indoors and cover it with a sheet of plastic or tarp. Before you install it at the start of warmer weather, disassemble it and give it a thorough seasonal cleaning. Comb its aluminum fins, blow the coils with compressed air, and vacuum and wipe down the interior tray. If your unit is especially dirty, deep clean it with a coil cleaner or oxygenated household cleaner. [Edit]Cleaning the Air Conditioner Daily - Look and smell for signs of mildew. If a mildew smell is noticeable when you first turn the A/C on, this method may help.
- Fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide. The 3% solution sold in stores will work.
- Do not use alcohol, as this is flammable and could start a fire.
- Do not use bleach, as those fumes are toxic and bleach could damage the unit.
- While safer than bleach or alcohol, hydrogen peroxide should still be clearly labelled and kept out of the reach of children.
- Turn the unit off. Spray the intake area and outflow area on the front of the unit.
- Avoid getting spray in eyes or inhaling it. Once it settles on surfaces, the fumes are no longer a concern.
- Rinse hands after spraying.
- Allow it to dry. Then turn the unit back on.
- Spraying when the unit is turned off for the night is ideal, as that allows plenty of time to dry before morning.
- Do a deeper clean if needed. If this method isn't sufficient, remove the filter, with the unit off, and spray further inside the unit.
- Place a drip tray underneath the unit to catch any drips, which might otherwise bleach carpet, fabric, or wood.
- A turkey basting tray is one possible option.
- Avoid turning the unit on and off often. Before the condensate evaporates, that's the ideal breeding period for microbes. While the unit is on, the temperature extremes and continuous flow of condensate washing old water outside (you may see it dripping) prevents the build-up of microbes.
[Edit]Cleaning the Filter Monthly - Remove the unit's front panel to access the filter. Turn the unit off and disconnect the power cord before removing the front panel. Your air conditioner's front panel is secured with screws or tabs. Remove the panel, locate the filter, and pull it out of its slot.[1]
- Depending on your model, you'll either pull the filter up or slide it down out of its slot. Check your manual for specific information about how to remove your front panel and filter.[2]
- Run water through the filter. Rinse the filter under running warm water. Use a vacuum hose attachment to clean the filter if it's caked with dirt or grime.[3]
- It's best to clean your filter at least once a month. Clean it more often if you live in a dusty environment or have pets.[4]
- Replace your air filter at least every 3 months.[5]
- Let the filter dry then put in back in place. Shake off excess water and pat the filter with a dry towel. Let it sit out until it's completely dry. When it's dry, put the filter back into its slot and replace the unit's front panel.[6]
- Never run an air conditioner with a wet filter or without a filter.
- Replace a worn filter. If your filter is worn or torn, you should replace it. If the filter is designed specifically for your unit, identify your model number and order a new one online or from your unit's manufacturer.[7]
- If your unit has a universal foam filter, you can purchase a cut-to-fit air conditioner filter online or at your local home improvement store.[8]
[Edit]Cleaning an Air Conditioner Seasonally - Remove the unit's casing. Make sure the unit is off and that power is disconnected. Remove the front panel and fins that attach the unit to the window. Remove all the screws that attach the exterior casing to the unit's interior. Carefully slide the casing away from the interior, and make sure you don't snag the casing on any of the parts inside.[9]
- The screws are small, so be sure to keep them in a safe place, like an envelope or small can.
- Comb the aluminum fins. Use a fin comb or soft bristle brush to comb away dust and debris from the aluminum fins. You can find inexpensive combs specially made for window unit fins online or at a home improvement store.[10]
- Wearing work gloves when you clean the fins will prevent you from getting cut.
- Blow the coils and fan with condensed air. Purchase a canister of condensed air online or at your home improvement store. Spray into the fins and around the coils at the front and back of the unit. Blow away dust around the fan and motor at the center of the unit.[11]
- You can also use a small brush to wipe away debris from the coils.[12]
- Vacuum and wipe down the tray. Use a shop vac or vacuum hose attachment to remove debris from the tray, or the base of the unit's interior. Spray it down with a household cleaner, scrub it, then wipe it with a damp cloth.[13]
- Hand dry the tray with a clean towel then let it air dry for a few hours before reassembling the unit.
- It's important to clean the drain pan after you clean the coil, because the tray is connected to your drain line. It can easily clog, causing leaks and water damage.[14]
- Store your air conditioner inside during cooler weather. When it's not in use, you should store your window unit indoors. Remove it from the window and keep it in your attic or basement. Cover it with a plastic sheet or tarp to keep dust and debris from accumulating.[15]
- If you can't remove the air conditioner from the window, cover the exterior portion of the unit with a tarp or cover designed for air conditioners.
[Edit]Giving Your Unit a Deep Clean - Take the unit outside and remove its case. Place the unit on a table outside within reach of a hose. Take off the front panel and side fins that attach to the window. Remove the screws that attach the casing to the unit, store them in a safe place, and carefully slide off the casing.[16]
- Choose a warm, sunny day to deep clean your air conditioner outside.
- Spray the casing and interior with cleaning solution. Use an air conditioner coil cleaner or an oxygenated household cleaner. You can also mix warm water with a few drops of dish detergent. Spray the front panel, case, and window fins with the cleaner.[17] Then spray the interior coils, fan, aluminum fins, and interior base.[18]
- Let the parts soak for about 10 minutes.
- Scrub the unit and case and spray again if necessary. Use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub all the parts you sprayed with cleaning solution. If you encounter stubborn grime, such as around the fan blades, spray the areas again and let them soak for another few minutes. Then give them another scrub with your soft bristled brush.[19]
- Use a hose to rinse the case, coils, and tray. Set your hose on low pressure, as high pressure could damage the coils or aluminum fins. Spray down the exterior panel, casing, and window fins. Then hose down the coils, fan, and aluminum fins. Tilt the unit to spray and drain the interior base.[20]
- Avoid getting the control panel wet when you hose down the unit.
- Let your unit dry before reassembling it. Leave your unit outside to dry in the sun for a few hours. You can towel dry as much excess water as possible to make the process go faster. Wait until the unit is completely dry before you reassemble it.[21]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Prune Tomatoes Posted: 17 Jun 2020 09:00 AM PDT When growing tomatoes, the ultimate goal is to help the plant yield as much ripe fruit as possible. If you're growing indeterminate or "vining" varieties (Big Boy, Beef Master, most heirlooms), pruning your plants to remove unwanted shoots and leaves ensures that all the nutrients are going to the tomatoes. If you're growing a determinate variety (Biltmore, Heinz, Patio), too much pruning is counterproductive. [Edit]Deciding When to Prune Tomatoes - Determine which variety you're growing. Before you make any cuts, figure out whether you're growing an indeterminate or determinate variety of tomato plant. Indeterminate varieties grow like vines, and they must be trained upright on poles and pruned in order to grow correctly. Determinate varieties contain themselves before they grow into a bush, and they naturally direct their energy toward fruiting without needing as much intervention. Here are the common varieties of each:
- Indeterminate: Big Boy, Beef Master, Black Prince, German Queen, most cherry tomato varieties and most heirloom varieties.
- Determinate:Ace 55, Amelia, Better Bush, Biltmore, Heatmaster, Heinz Classic, Mountain Pride and Patio.
- Check the plant for signs of yellowing. One way to know when it is time to start pruning is to wait for the stems and leaves below the first set of flowers to turn yellow. When you notice this color change, you can start pruning.
- Check for suckers. Look for the tiny new branches sprouting in the spot where a branch meets the stem on an indeterminate plant. These are called "suckers" and they're what you want to remove. Suckers left to grow will take energy from the rest of the plant and cause the plant to bear more fruits, but can cause the tomatoes to be smaller. This isn't always a bad thing, but strategically removing suckers will help your plant bear large fruit all season long.
- Look for flowers. It is a good idea to start pruning your tomato plants early, as soon as there are flowers on the plants. At this point, the plants should be between 12 and 18 inches.[1]
[Edit]Using Proper Pruning Techniques - Remove all suckers and their leaves below the first flower cluster. Do this no matter what kind of tomato plant you have. This keeps the plant strong by helping it grow a sturdy central stem. [2] This should ensure that the majority of the nutrients are sent to the fruits, instead of being wasted on the unwanted growing tips.
- To remove a sucker, grab a growing tip by the base between the thumb and forefinger and bend it back and forth until it snaps cleanly. This should ideally be done when the shoot is young and supple. The small wound will heal quickly. This is called "simple pruning".
- As for stems and leaves, not the suckers, growing below the first flower cluster: If you live in a warmer zone such as Zone 9, you should leave them on until they turn yellow. They are important for helping to shade the ground until the plant matures. On the other hand, if your plant is in a humid environment (such as a greenhouse), remove everything below the first flower cluster to improve ventilation. Humidity can make it easier for sicknesses to flourish, and it also causes the wounds that are created while pruning to dry up more slowly making the plant longer vulnerable. By improving ventilation, you're helping to protect the plant.
- Leave the thicker shoots. Thicker suckers should not be snapped off, since this could damage the whole plant. If it's thicker than a pencil, use the "Missouri pruning" method and pinch out just the tip of the sucker, leaving one or two leaves behind for photosynthesis and to protect developing fruit from sun scald. The drawback is that suckers will develop from the stem that you leave behind, which will require additional pruning. This technique is better when you're dealing with large suckers; if the wound becomes diseased, it will be further away from the main stem. This method also leaves a few inches on the sucker to reduce the shock to the plant.
- Prune suckers all summer long to keep the plant healthy. They grow quickly, so you may need to prune once or twice a week.[3]
- Pinch off all but four or five fruit bearing trusses for indeterminate varieties. These are the branches that grow from the main stem above the first flower cluster. Four or five will produce large, healthy fruit, but any more than that and the fruit will be small and scant. Choose four or five sturdy trusses to keep, then pinch out any additional side shoots, leaving the plant's top shoot intact, known as the terminal shoot.
- Make sure the vine-like plants are tied to supports after flowering occurs. Otherwise, the vine will grow along the ground and won't produce healthy tomatoes.
- Determinate plants already have a predetermined number of stems that will naturally grow, so there's no need to do any pruning above the flower cluster. If you prune above the flower cluster, you'll be removing fruit-bearing branches without helping the plant.
- Remove yellow leaves. Yellow leaves are leaves that use up more sugar than they produce. As the plant begins to mature, the lower leaves will naturally begin to yellow and wilt. This is perfectly normal, so pull these from the plant when they appear. It will keep the plant fresh and help ward off disease.
- Top the plant. To get the best out of the last growth of the season, it is necessary to "top" the plant. About a month before the first expected frost, or when the plant hits the roof of your greenhouse, remove the plant's terminal shoot. At this point in the season, the tomatoes currently growing will have a limited time to reach maturity, so all nutrients must be directed straight to the fruit.
- Determinate or "bush" varieties do not need pruning (or staking, for that matter). They are bred to grow to a compact height, produce one "wave" of fruit during a two weeks period and then die. Indeterminate varieties, also called "vining" tomatoes, grow as tall as people and produce and grow all season long. Common determinate varieties are Rutgers, Roma, Celebrity (called a semi-determinate by some) and Marglobe. Common indeterminate varieties are Big Boy, Beef Master, most "cherry" types, Early Girl and most heirloom varieties. [4]
[Edit]Warnings - If you smoke, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling tomato plants. Tobacco smokers can easily infect tomato plants with "Mosaic Virus."
- To avoid infecting your tomato plants, always prefer fingers over blades for removing shoots (the resulting wound can be easily infected). However, for older, tougher shoots, you may have to resort to using a blade; if so, sterilize your cutting implement thoroughly for each use.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Growing tomatoes
- Clean hands
- Sterilised cutting implement if using (hands preferred)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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