Ovulation is the phase in menstrual cycle where an egg is released from the ovary, ready for potential fertilisation. Understanding ovulation helps not only in knowing your body better but also in planning pregnancy.
The menstrual cycle is a natural monthly process that prepares the body for possible pregnancy, typically lasting 28-30 days. Understanding the menstrual cycle can help you track your fertility and maintain your reproductive health.
The menstrual cycle includes four distinct phases, each playing a unique role in preparing the body for a potential pregnancy.
The ovulation phase is when a mature egg is released from the ovary, indicating peak fertility. Let's look at how you can track your ovulation phase to get pregnant faster.
For most people, the timing of ovulation after their period depends on the length of their cycle.
Fertility is highest on ovulation day and up to 24 hours after. Symptoms to track ovulation include
Using an ovulation test can help identify your most fertile days.
It's especially useful if you are trying to conceive. An ovulation test kit detects the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that happens right before ovulation, providing a clear indicator of peak fertility.
Wondering when to take an ovulation test? It’s best to start testing a few days before the expected ovulation date, usually mid-cycle, to catch the LH surge. A positive ovulation test indicates that ovulation is likely to occur within 24-36 hours. Knowing exactly when to take an ovulation test can significantly improve your chances of conception.
Recognising ovulation symptoms can help identify peak fertility days.
If you are planning to get pregnant, look out for the following symptoms to track ovulation:
You may experience mild, one-sided abdominal discomfort known as ovulation pain during ovulation.
This sensation happens as the ovary releases an egg. The pain can last from a few minutes to several hours. While generally harmless, ovulation pain can be a helpful indicator of peak fertility timing.
During ovulation, you may notice changes in cervical mucus, often referred to as ovulation discharge.
Typical signs of ovulation discharge include a clear, stretchy texture, which signals peak fertility. The most common comparison to determine high fertility discharge is to look for cervical mucus resembling raw egg whites. Typically, after ovulation, the discharge goes back to thick and dry.
Ovulation usually lasts 12-24 hours when the egg travels down the fallopian tube.
This marks the brief period when an egg is viable for fertilisation. If it doesn't happen during this period, the body reabsorbs the egg.
Knowing when your ovulation happens and how long your ovulation lasts can help in tracking your fertility more accurately.
Cycle tracking
A menstrual cycle log helps you identify the best time for intercourse to conceive.
Prenatal boost
Start adding prenatal vitamins with folic acid in your diet to help with conception.
Time it right
Understand your ovulation cycle and time of intercourse to help increase conception chance
Ovulation typically occurs around day 14 in a 28-day cycle, but this can vary widely among women.
Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovary, which then travels to the fallopian tube, where it may meet sperm and become fertilised.
If ovulation does not occur, pregnancy is not possible. Various factors, including hormonal imbalances or medical conditions, can disrupt ovulation.
Physical signs, such as changes in cervical mucus, mild abdominal pain, and increased basal body temperature, can help identify ovulation.
The fertile window lasts about 12-24 hours after ovulation. However, since sperm can live up to five days, the days leading up to ovulation are also fertile.
If fertilisation does not occur, the egg disintegrates, and the body prepares to shed the uterine lining in the next menstrual cycle.
