Ovulation

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is a phase in the menstrual cycle when your ovary releases an egg (ovum). Once an egg leaves your ovaryit travels down your fallopian tube where it waits to be fertilized by sperm. On averageit happens on day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle.

Ovulation and your menstrual cycle

The process of ovulation begins when your hypothalamus (a part of your brain) releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH causes your pituitary gland (a gland in your brain) to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Between days six and 14 of your menstrual cycleFSH causes follicles (small sacs of fluid in your ovaries that contain a developing egg) in one ovary to begin to mature. During days 10 to 14 of the cycleonly one of the developing follicles forms a fully mature egg. Around day 14 in the menstrual cyclea sudden surge in LH causes the ovary to release this egg. This is ovulation. After ovulationthe hormone progesterone rises which helps prepare your uterus for pregnancy.

Ovulationconception and pregnancy

Once ovulation occursyour egg travels through your fallopian tube. It’s in your fallopian tube that your egg meets sperm for fertilization. If conception occurs (sperm fertilizes your egg)the fertilized egg travels down to your uterus. After about a weekthe fertilized egg (now a blastocyst) attaches to the lining of your uterus. This is called implantation. Release of the hormones estrogen and progesterone causes the endometrium to thickenwhich provides the nutrients the blastocyst needs to grow and eventually develop into a baby. As cells continue to divide — some developing into the fetusothers forming the placenta — hormones signal your body that a baby is growing inside your uterus. This also signals your uterus to keep its liningwhich prevents you from getting your period. Not getting a period is usually the first sign you’re pregnant.

When does ovulation occur?

In an average 28-day menstrual cycleovulation occurs about 14 days before the beginning of your next menstrual period. The exact timing varies — your cycle length may be longer or shorter. You may find it helpful to track your menstrual cycle using an app on your phone or a calendar. This can help you determine when ovulation is most likely to occur. Most people will have a period 14 to 16 days after ovulationregardless of the length of their overall cycle.

How many hours does ovulation last?

An egg only survives 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. If sperm doesn’t’ fertilize the eggyour body reabsorbs it. Unlike your eggsperm can survive for several days in your body.

How do I know I’m ovulating?

Pinpointing ovulation can be tricky. There are several methods people use to track their menstrual cycle and estimate when ovulation occurs. Since each method has its drawbacksit’s always best to use more than one for the most accurate answer.

Menstrual cycle

Ovulation happens at around the midpoint of your cycle if you have a 28-day cycle (day 14). Howevera “normal” cycle is anything between 21 and 35 daysso this means ovulation is unique to your menstrual cycle. Keep track of your cycle on paper or on an app on your phone for several months. Take note of any unusual symptoms. Most people ovulate 14 days before their period beginsregardless of cycle length.

Calendar method

People using the calendar method to predict ovulationanalyze six months of menstrual cycles to determine when they’re fertile. To calculate when you may be ovulatingyou find your shortest cycle and your longest cycle in a six month period. You subtract 18 days from your shortest cycle and 11 days from your longest cycle. These two numbers give you the days in your cycle you’re most fertile. For exampleif your cycle lengths are 31 and 18your fertile time is day 10 to 20 of your cycle.

Cervical mucus

Cervical mucus is a vaginal fluid produced by your cervix. Your cervical mucus goes through stages during your menstrual cycle. Your cervical mucus is thickwhite and dry before ovulation. Just before ovulationyour cervical mucus turns clear and slippery (like egg whites). This consistency makes it easy for sperm to swim up to meet your egg.

Basal body temperature

Your body temperature increases slightly during ovulation (typically about 0.5 to 1 degree). Take your temperature every morning using a digital thermometer meant specifically for measuring basal body temperature. This method only works if you take your temperature before you get out of bed and before you eat/drink. Record your results for several months and note what day of your cycle a temperature increase occurs.

Ovulation kits

Ovulation kits work similarly to at-home pregnancy tests because you pee on an indicator strip in the comfort of your own home. They work by detecting LH (luteinizing hormone) in your pee. LH is the hormone that surges before ovulation. A positive result means you’re about to ovulate (usually within 36 hours).

What are the symptoms of ovulation?

Every person is different and not everyone has signs of ovulation. In those that dothe most common symptoms are:

• Tender breasts.
• Bloating.
• Minor pelvic or abdominal pain.
• Light bleeding or spotting.
• Changes in the position and firmness of your cervix.
• Increased sex drive.
• Heightened sense of smelltaste or sight.
• Mood changes.
• Appetite changes.

How many days during ovulation can you get pregnant?

Even though your egg only lives for 24 hourssperm can live in your uterus for between three and five days. This means you can get pregnant from having sex from about five days before ovulation to one day after ovulation. If pregnancy is your goalit’s better to have sperm already in your body when you ovulate. The highest probability of conception occurs when intercourse takes place one to two days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation.

Is pain during ovulation normal?

Yesmany people experience ovulation pain. Ovulation pain (or mittelschmerz) is cramping or pelvic pain that happens around ovulation. You typically feel the pain in your lower abdomen and pelvisin the middle or on one side. Ovulation pain may happen when an egg bursts from a follicle (the sacs in your ovaries that contain eggs). It can even cause light bleeding.

Pain during the time of ovulation may also be caused by a medical conditionso it’s best to contact your healthcare provider to be sure the pain isn’t something more serious.

What happens if I’m not ovulating?

Certain health conditions or life events may affect ovulation or cause you to stop ovulating. Some of these are:

• Breastfeeding or hyperprolactinemia.
• Menopause.
• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
• Primary ovarian insufficiency.
• Amenorrhea from things like high or low body fatexcessive stress or fatigue or excessive exercise.

If your period is irregular or you go months without a periodyou may have not be ovulating. Contact your healthcare provider if this is the case so they can rule out any serious conditions.

Do you still ovulate if you’re on birth control?

Noif you’re taking birth control pills or other hormonal contraception as directedyou shouldn’t ovulate. Keep in mindthis is only the case if you’re using pillspatchesIUDs or other devices exactly as prescribed. The hormones in birth control work by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus (which makes it harder for sperm to swim).

Can you ovulate but not get your period?

Yes. You can ovulate but not get your “period.” Technicallyif you’re ovulating regularlyyou should also get your period regularly. Howeverit’s possible to get your period without actually ovulating and to ovulate but not have a true period.

Can medicine help you ovulate?

Yesthere are fertility medications to induce ovulation. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and goalssuch as if you wish to become pregnant. They can work with you on the best treatment based on your condition.