Ovulation is the process that happens when hormone changes cause an ovary to release an egg. This usually happens once during each menstrual cycle. The only way to become pregnant is for a sperm to unite with an egg. Most women ovulate between 12 and 16 days before their next period. Your ovaries are where the eggs are kept. During the first part of each cycle, one of the eggs grows and gets ready to be fertilised.
Reproductive organs of a woman
As you get closer to ovulation, your body makes more and more of a hormone called oestrogen. This hormone makes the lining of your uterus thicken, which makes it a good place for sperm to live. These high levels of oestrogen cause a sudden rise in luteinizing hormone, which is another hormone (LH). The egg is released from the ovary when the LH level goes up. This is called ovulation. The LH surge is a good predictor of peak fertility because ovulation usually happens 24 to 36 hours after the LH surge. After ovulation, the egg can only be fertilised for up to 24 hours. If the egg doesn’t get fertilised, the lining of the womb sheds, taking the egg with it, and your period starts. This means that the next period will start soon.
What’s the difference between ovulation and fertile days?
Sperm can stay alive for up to five days, but an egg can only live for 24 hours. Because of this, it may come as a surprise to learn that a couple can get pregnant by making love four to five days before the egg is released.
Taking into account how long both the sperm and the egg live, the “fertility window” lasts about six days. The “fertile days” are all the days during your menstrual cycle when you can get pregnant if you have unprotected sex.
Finding out about more fertile days gives couples more freedom to plan sexual activity around their schedules and also gives them more chances to get pregnant, which may make the process of trying to get pregnant less stressful.
What is the ‘fertility window’?
The day of ovulation and the day before it are the most fertile days of each cycle. This means that you are most likely to get pregnant from unprotected sex on these two days. There are also a few days before this when you are more likely to get pregnant because you are more fertile. Outside of this ‘fertility window’ of about six days, the chances of getting pregnant are low.
When does ovulation happen?
The length of a woman’s menstrual cycle varies from cycle to cycle and from woman to woman, but it is usually between 23 and 35 days. Most women ovulate 12 to 16 days before their next period. Many women think they ovulate on day 14, but this is just an average. Most women will actually ovulate on a different day of their menstrual cycle, and this will also change from cycle to cycle. In fact, 46% of periods are different by seven days or more!
Some women say they feel a little pain when they ovulate, but many don’t feel anything at all. For many there are no other physical signs that ovulation has happened. It’s important to have sexual activity on your fertile days if you want to get pregnant. If you want to know when your most fertile days are, you should get to know your own body and menstrual cycle.
How long does it take to ovulate?
Since ovulation is when an egg is released from an ovary, it happens very quickly. The follicle bursts, and the egg is quickly pushed into the Fallopian tube. Knowing your ovulation cycle can help you get pregnant, but if you need help or support, always talk to your GP.
For more advice and content on trying to conceive click here
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