The correct calculation of the timing of ovulation. What happens during ovulation in the female body

After birth, the ovaries of a girl who later becomes a woman contain approximately one million germ cells, which in the future will become eggs. By adolescence, when puberty occurs, not all of them survive. Those who have matured carry one of the most important female functions - the birth of a new life. In the article, we will consider in detail what ovulation is and what are the signs and symptoms of ovulation.

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube as a result of the rupture of a mature follicle. From the follicle, the egg travels to the fallopian tube, where fertilization takes place. If a girl does not ovulate, then it is impossible to get pregnant. Therefore, in the female menstrual cycle, the so-called safe days, menstruation days and fertile days (days when there is a chance of becoming pregnant) are distinguished.

Ovulation duration

For a better understanding of how ovulation occurs and on what day, you can familiarize yourself with the 30-day cycle schedule. With a normal cycle without delays in menstruation and deviations in the female body, the day of ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle.

The most important information! In girls with a cycle of 21 days, ovulation can occur before, after and during menstruation. Accordingly, you can get pregnant during the period when ovulation has occurred. This graph only shows the approximate day of ovulation. Every woman ovulates at different times in her cycle. Also an exception may be a cycle of 30 days. Repeatedly in practice, it was found that even women with a 30-day cycle could become pregnant immediately after menstruation, that is, almost at the beginning of the cycle. Therefore, experienced women keep the so-called ovulation calendar and mark the days of a possible pregnancy.

Very rarely, ovulation can occur twice in one cycle. In this case, the interval between the release of eggs is about 2 days. Several eggs begin to awaken in the first half of the cycle at once (from 10 to 15). They mature and grow along with the follicle. But only one of them will be released after about 10 days, and a mature egg will come out of it. Such a follicle is called a dominant or haaf vesicle. It is the largest in size.

The regularity of ovulation is disturbed in the postpartum period, before the onset of menopause, and also for several months after an abortion. Ovulation is completely absent during pregnancy and after menopause.

Only a few of these eggs are unable to perform their functions. From the time a girl has her first menstruation, an egg is released from the ovary once a month. This moment is called ovulation. Prior to this, each egg is in a dormant state and is located in a separate follicle. There she waits in line to go outside.

Many sex cells die while still in their infancy, so by the time of puberty, from 300 to 400 thousand follicles remain. In the reproductive age of a woman, about 400-500 eggs ready for fertilization are ovulated.

The importance of ovulation for women planning a pregnancy

The probability of pregnancy exists on any day of the cycle, but it is highest during the period of ovulation. At this time, the chance of conception reaches 33%, and in the first days of the cycle it is only about 2%.

Also, the likelihood of getting pregnant decreases sharply after ovulation. This is due to the fact that the mature egg enters the fallopian tube and dies there within 12 to 24 hours. Without ovulation, conception simply cannot occur. The lack of ovulation for several menstrual cycles indicates some problems in the female body. It is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a course of treatment.

It is for these reasons that it is important for women planning a pregnancy to know when ovulation occurs, as well as the signs and symptoms of ovulation. It is worth noting that the normal absence of ovulation for 1-2 cycles per year. With age, the number of such periods increases. Also, 2 eggs can be released at the same time. In this case, the onset of multiple pregnancy is possible, when each of the released eggs is fertilized.

When does ovulation occur?

The menstrual cycle of a woman is divided into 2 periods or phases:

  1. Follicular.
  2. luteal.

The length of these periods is different. So, the follicular phase lasts from 9 to 21 days, and the luteal phase lasts 12-16 days. The duration of the second phase is stable, and the first can change even in the same woman. Its lengthening or shortening is associated with the maturation of the follicle, which is regulated by complex hormonal processes in the body. That is why the calculation of the onset of ovulation is carried out according to the luteal period.

During the follicular phase, the maturation of the follicle, in which the egg is located, occurs. In this case, the female body carefully prepares for possible fertilization, the following changes occur:

  • thickening of the endometrium covering the uterus;
  • the amount of estrogen increases;
  • the epithelium grows in the mammary ducts of the mammary glands;
  • the cervix becomes loose and opens slightly.

With a standard 28-day menstrual cycle, the egg leaves the ovary on the 13-15th day. This moment is ovulation, it occurs between two periods of the cycle. After this, the luteal phase begins, when a corpus luteum appears at the site of the ruptured follicle. It is necessary for the production of the hormone progesterone. Together with estrogen, it helps to secure the embryo in the uterine cavity. If the egg is not fertilized in this cycle, the corpus luteum dies off, and the top layer of the endometrium is also rejected, which leads to the onset of menstruation. At the same time, a new egg begins to mature in one of the ovaries.

For many women, the cycle can be less than 28 days, or, conversely, up to 35 days. This is not a pathology, but simply such a feature of the body. As a rule, with a short cycle, ovulation occurs earlier, and with a long one - later.

To calculate it in these cases, you need to know that ovulation usually occurs on a certain day of each cycle. This occurs approximately 14 days before the onset of menstruation, there may be slight changes for 1-2 days. And what day it will be depends on the length of the cycle. That is, if a woman has a cycle of 32 days, then ovulation will occur on day 18 (32-14 = 18).

If the menstrual cycle is irregular, it is impossible to calculate ovulation in this way. This will require special methods. To determine the day of ovulation, it is important to keep a menstrual calendar, which indicates the beginning and end of the cycle. Thus, you can track all the changes in it and calculate the favorable period for conception.

The menstrual cycle is affected by:

There are such concepts as early or late ovulation. The first occurs a few days before the middle of the cycle, and the second, respectively, towards the end of the menstrual cycle.

Some factors influence the frequency and duration of ovulation, as well as the general hormonal background:

  • the lifestyle that a woman leads;
  • taking medications;
  • food;
  • ecological situation;
  • the psychological state of the woman.

It is worth noting that the release of the egg does not always occur alternately in each of the ovaries. One of them is the main one, and ovulation can occur in it for several cycles in a row.

How many days does ovulation last?

It is impossible to calculate how long ovulation lasts. Its duration can only be determined by the life span of the egg, during which fertilization is possible. Conventionally, this time interval is 16-48 hours. During this period, there is a high probability of fertilization of the egg, and, consequently, the onset of pregnancy.

The process of ovulation is similar to a small burst in the ovaries. It can occur at any time and cannot be predicted. The release of a mature egg indicates that ovulation has already taken place, this process lasts approximately 15 minutes. In this case, a hole appears on the wall of the follicle, similar to a wound, through which a small cell passes. The egg then waits for fertilization in the fallopian tube.

The egg released from the ovary is captured by the villi of the fallopian tube, which, through uterine contractions, carry it towards the sperm. If fertilization does not occur, the egg dies.

For every woman, this interval is individual. Viable sperm cells can wait quite a long time for an egg (about 72 hours), so you can add a few more days before and after ovulation to this time. It is this period that will be the most favorable for the onset of pregnancy. It is also called fertile.

If the egg and sperm meet, fertilization occurs. Thus, the moment of ovulation and conception differ in time.

Signs of ovulation

There are some signs of the onset of ovulation that only a gynecologist or a special test can determine. These include:

  1. Ultrasound to monitor the growth of the follicle and the moment of its rupture, which indicates the onset of ovulation. The most accurate method in diagnostics for determining the moment of ovulation. The first ultrasound examination is performed after the completion of menstruation, approximately on the 5-7th day of the cycle. After that, repeated ultrasounds are performed every 2-3 days to monitor changes in the thickness of the endometrium. This helps to accurately predict the onset of ovulation. As a rule, the method is used in case of failure in the cycle, when ovulation has not occurred for a long time.
  2. Determination of the level of LH (luteinizing hormone) in the urine in dynamics. This hormone is responsible for stimulating the female body and the release of a mature egg. This method is simpler and can be done independently at home using ovulation tests, which are sold in a pharmacy. They are done twice a day, starting 5-6 days before the calculated ovulation, strictly following the instructions. The principle of the test is based on the fact that a small amount of LH is always present in a woman's urine, but 24-36 hours before the release of a mature egg, that is, the onset of ovulation, its content increases dramatically.
  3. Blood test for pituitary hormones (LH). The principle of operation is the same as that of the ovulation test.
  4. A sharp increase in the level of progesterone in the blood. Check it in the second phase of the cycle, about a week before the start of menstruation.

When determining ovulation by ultrasound, at least 3 procedures will be required, but it's worth it. At the very beginning of the cycle, several follicles of approximately the same size will be visible. Over time, one of them will begin to increase, which means it is in it that ovulation will occur. Its size from 1 mm gradually reaches 20 mm. It is after reaching the largest value that the doctor concludes that ovulation has occurred.

A few days later, you need to do another ultrasound. If the follicle is not observed, it means that it has burst, and, accordingly, ovulation has already passed.

Ovulation symptoms

Symptoms of ovulation are individual and differ for all women, but there are some general changes in the body:

  • Pulling pain in the lower abdomen or tingling. Moreover, unpleasant sensations arise from the side where the egg has matured. Even small bleeding may appear. Pain can last from a few minutes to several days.
  • Change in vaginal discharge. Their number increases, they become more liquid, similar to egg white.
  • Increased sexual desire. It is associated with the readiness of the body for fertilization at the hormonal level.
  • Increased sensitivity, nervous irritability. It is also associated with an increase in hormonal levels.
  • Increased flatulence and bloating, which is also due to changes in hormonal levels.
  • Exacerbation of taste buds and smell.
  • A decrease in basal temperature on the day of ovulation and its increase the next day.

Every woman planning offspring or just looking after her health should know the timing of ovulation. This is important in view of the need to introduce the necessary measures and restrictions into your life. Most often, the question of timing is asked by women who want to conceive a child. And this is no accident. Indeed, at this moment, the fertilization of the egg is most possible.

The essence of the process

Periodic begins at the time of puberty and ends during the onset of menopause. Each newborn girl, and subsequently woman, has about a million eggs. Some eggs die before puberty. And those that are ripe are able to fulfill their main purpose - the formation of the fetus.

Physically, ovulation is the release of an egg from the follicle. The egg is fertilized only when it is in one of the woman's fallopian tubes. After fertilization, the egg enters the uterine cavity, where it is fixed for further development. The remaining unfertilized egg after a certain time bursts and is brought out. This process is called menstruation.

The female menstrual cycle is approximately 28-32 days long. The countdown should start from the first day of menstruation. Ovulation occurs approximately 12-14 days before the start of the menstrual cycle. Deviation from these indicators is considered the norm. This period lasts about a day, and the release of the egg from the follicle is no more than 1 hour.

It is considered normal in a woman for several menstrual cycles. After 30-35 years, the number increases, and the chance of a quick conception decreases. After the age of 40, long periods of non-ovulation are possible. The onset of menopause leads to the complete end of this process in the body.

Determination of the ovulation period

What if you need to know when ovulation occurs? You can use the calendar method, which is a simplified way to determine the right moment to conceive. The essence of this method lies in the preliminary maintenance of the calendar of menstrual cycles for a longer period, establishing the exact number of days of the menstrual cycle, taking into account climate change, taking medications and other factors affecting women's health. This method does not give 100% results. A woman cannot be sure whether ovulation occurs every month and what it is connected with. Ovulation can occur on the 12th day of the cycle, or on any previous or subsequent day. This method should also not be used as a means of contraception. Even having correctly determined the day of the release of the egg into the fallopian tube, it is easy to forget about the ability of spermatozoa to stay in the uterine cavity and tubes for a long time (about 3 days). At the same time, the life span of spermatozoa in a humid environment is almost 1 week.

The temperature method for determining the ovulation period is more reliable. With it, you can determine the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. Temperature measurement should be carried out immediately after waking up. If the thermometer shows changes upward by 0.25-0.5 ° C, it can be assumed that the right moment has arrived. By combining this method with calendar calculations, more accurate results can be obtained.

The method of ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian follicles is carried out only in medical institutions, which is somewhat inconvenient. At the same time, it is the most accurate method for determining the ovulation period. Ultrasound diagnostics is very effective when combined with the calendar method. Knowing the approximate days of ovulation, you can conduct an examination.

Ovulation occurs or not during this period, it is possible to find out by determining the concentration of luteinizing hormone in the blood. At home, you can conduct a urinary test to find this hormone in the blood.

It should be remembered that the classic ideal variant of ovulation is extremely rare. Having a 28-day menstrual cycle, it is impossible to count that this event will occur exactly on day 14. On average, the ovulation period falls on days 11-21 of the cycle. Each new cycle may have its own individual ovulation date. It all depends on the physical and emotional state of the woman. An important role in this process is played by the hormonal background. Some women have up to several ovulations per month per cycle.

Calculation methods

Why do you need to know when ovulation occurs? If the reason is a peculiar method of contraception, which is not very effective, then it is better to choose another method of protection against unwanted pregnancy. The monthly cycle depends on many factors, whether it is the internal state of the body or external influences. To determine the moment of ovulation with an accuracy of 80%, you need to spend too much time and do a lot of manipulations, especially since this method of contraception is not able to protect against STDs. Another thing is if it is connected with the desire to plan a pregnancy. Anything can happen in people's lives. Some women associate the inability to conceive with sexual intercourse on the wrong days. The above methods, used in combination, will help you most accurately determine the right days for having sex with the possibility of conception.

How to correctly calculate the time of ovulation? We use the calendar method, take the monthly cycle and cross off the days up to 11 from the list. You need to count from the first day of menstruation. Further, starting from the 12th day, we measure the basal temperature. Measurements are taken rectally or vaginally only after a sleep period of at least 3 hours. Before the start of measurements, we do not perform any physical actions, it is best to first put the thermometer on the bedside table. With noticeable changes in temperature by half a degree, you can additionally test for the presence of hormones in the urine. To do this, simply dip the test strip into a small amount of collected liquid. Check the result following the instructions in the instructions for the test. If everything points to ovulation, we boldly set off to create a new life.

Ovulation- the process of release of the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube as a result of the rupture of a mature follicle, which occurs 12-15 days before the onset of menstruation. The period of five days before the onset of ovulation and one day after it ends is called the fertile period - it is at this time that there is the greatest chance of becoming pregnant in the event of unprotected intercourse.

The first signs of ovulation are the result of the production of a large number of hormones that provoke three main symptoms: fever, pain in the lower abdomen, and changes in cervical mucus. Also, during the period of ovulation, some women feel discomfort in the chest area, physiological changes in the uterus and increased sexual desire.

When does ovulation occur?

In 90% of women of childbearing age, the menstrual cycle lasts from 28 to 32 days and is divided into three main phases: follicular, ovulatory and luteal.

Follicular phase

The first phase begins with the onset of menstrual bleeding and lasts for 10-14 days. Under the action of hormones in the ovary, a certain number of primary follicles are activated and their maturation begins. At the same time, the uterus begins to prepare for pregnancy, initiating the formation of a new layer of the endometrium.

During the last five days of the follicular phase, one (rarely two) of the follicles separates from the cohort and continues its maturation to a dominant state. It is he who will subsequently release the egg for its passage through the fallopian tubes and subsequent fertilization.

ovulatory phase

The levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones that have reached maximum values ​​​​at the end of the follicular phase lead to the rupture and release of the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes, from where it begins its journey to the uterus with the help of cilia pushing it. In place of the bursting follicle, a corpus luteum is formed, which begins the production of progesterone and preparation for a possible pregnancy of the uterine mucosa.

The timing of ovulation varies from cycle to cycle and from woman to woman, but usually occurs 14 days before the next period. The fertile period, taking into account the lifespan of sperm and egg, is from 12 to 24 hours from the moment the egg is released. The exact time of ovulation can be determined by basal temperature charting and an ovulation calendar.

luteal phase

A fertilized egg within 7-10 days moves to the uterus, where, in the process of its attachment to the wall, implantation and development of the embryo occurs. The corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone to maintain the pregnancy and prevent the release of new eggs. By 10-12 weeks, its main functions are taken over by the placenta, and it disappears.

In case of failed fertilization, the egg dies within 12-24 hours after the onset of ovulation. Hormone levels return to normal, the corpus luteum gradually disappears.

In about 1-2% of cases, two eggs are released into the fallopian tubes during ovulation. This condition usually occurs in women over 35 years of age. The fertilization of two different eggs by two different sperm results in the birth of twins.

Signs of ovulation

Symptoms of the process vary from woman to woman and may not always be repeated during each cycle. Only two signs remain unchanged: an increase in basal body temperature and changes in the structure of cervical mucus. A small part of women do not experience any symptoms at all, in this case, the only correct method for determining ovulation is ultrasound.

Monitoring the sensations during ovulation not only increases the chances of pregnancy, but also helps a woman to identify complications associated with the reproductive system.

1. Increase in basal body temperature

Basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature at rest after prolonged sleep. In the first phase of the menstrual cycle, the indicator is at a level slightly below 37 ° C and, as it approaches ovulation, it gradually decreases to values ​​of 36.3-36.5 ° C. The process of egg release and a surge of progesterone increase the temperature to a mark of 37.1-37.3 ° C, the fertile period begins.

Charting your basal body temperature is one of the most popular methods for tracking the onset of ovulation. Measurements should be started every morning before getting out of bed a few months before the intended conception by inserting a digital thermometer into the rectum. The data is entered into a special chart, information from which helps to determine the onset of ovulation in subsequent cycles.

2. Change in cervical mucus

Cervical mucus is a natural fluid for the female body that is produced in the cervix during the menstrual cycle. At the time of ovulation, under the influence of estrogen, the mucus acquires an elastic and transparent consistency, reminiscent of egg white. Thus, the body creates a favorable environment for spermatozoa, which easily penetrate the barrier between the vagina and the cervix.

The best way to test the consistency of cervical mucus is to stretch it between your index finger and thumb. A transparent, slippery and elastic consistency is a clear sign of the onset of ovulation.

As you grow older, the amount of cervical mucus decreases and the duration of its change during ovulation. In a woman at the age of 20, the fluid is retained for up to five days, but already at the age of 30, the number of days is reduced to 1-2.

Signs of ovulation and its end

3. Changes in the position of the cervix

The cervix plays an important role in the female reproductive system. It connects the vagina to the uterus and acts as a barrier that opens during the most fertile period, allowing sperm to enter the site of fertilization. During ovulation, the cervix becomes soft, high and moist.

It is quite easy to determine and interpret this sign of ovulation. Before the procedure, you should wash your hands, take a comfortable standing position and insert two fingers into the vagina. The longest finger should reach the neck. If the cervix is ​​low and feels like touching the tip of the nose, ovulation has not occurred. If the cervix is ​​high and soft to the touch, the ovulatory phase has begun.

4. Minor spotting

Brown or light spotting during ovulation is normal. A symptom can be detected at the time of the release of a mature egg from the follicle and a drop in estrogen levels in the body. You should not worry, but if the daub persists for a long time, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will check for signs of infection and conduct an examination to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

5. Increased sex drive

Some women note that during ovulation, sexual desire for a partner increases. Doctors associate this phenomenon with the signals of the body, which seeks to preserve and procreate. However, according to other experts, girls should not always trust this symptom, since changes in libido can also be triggered by other factors: a glass of wine or just a good mood.

6. Breast augmentation

During ovulation, under the influence of hormones, pain occurs in the chest area, its volume and sensitivity of the nipples increase. The symptom is not the main one, so it should be considered only in conjunction with others to determine ovulation. Some women continue to experience mild breast pain until the end of their menstrual cycle.

7. Pain in the lower abdomen

During ovulation, some women experience pain that resembles short spasms or sharp tingling in the lower abdomen. Usually, discomfort occurs at the level of the ovary on one side and in a small number of cases in the kidney or lumbar region. With a normal menstrual cycle, pain disappears within one day however, in some women, they may last for several days, resembling menstrual cramps.

The cause of pain is a mature dominant follicle 20-24 mm in size, which causes stretching of the peritoneum and irritation of its pain receptors. When the follicle ruptures, releasing the egg and the follicular fluid that protects it, the pain disappears.

8. Heightened sense of smell

For some women, a heightened sense of smell and changes in taste preferences during the second phase of the menstrual cycle can be symptoms of ovulation. The sense of smell rises so much that the male pheromone androstenone, the smell of which causes a negative reaction in women on ordinary days of the cycle, on the contrary, begins to attract them during the period of ovulation.

9. Bloating

A sign of the onset of ovulation in rare cases is a slight bloating. It, like many other symptoms, occurs as a result of an increase in estrogen levels, which leads to water retention in the body. If a woman has a hormonal imbalance, when the level of estrogen prevails over the level of progesterone, the symptom manifests itself more clearly.

10. Crystallization of saliva

Two days before the onset of ovulation, saliva crystallization occurs due to an increase in luteinizing hormone in the woman's body. You can determine the sign at home using a conventional microscope - the image of saliva resembles the formation of frost on glass.

Ovulation is a rather complicated process that occurs monthly in the body of girls and women. How to feel ovulation, and be able to determine the time of its onset will be useful for every woman, because it is this short time period that is considered the most successful for conceiving a baby. Well, if on the contrary you are not planning a pregnancy, the calculation of the "dangerous" period will also be very helpful.

Ovulation is the process by which a mature egg leaves the follicle. This phenomenon usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. With sexual contact during this period, the likelihood of pregnancy is very high, since the egg that left the follicle is ready to meet with the sperm. But how to define or how to feel this period?

Signs of ovulation

There are several signs that indicate that ovulation is approaching or that it has already occurred. They can be divided into external signs and internal signs.

Let's get acquainted with the signs of approaching ovulation.

  1. The nature of the secretions is changing. There are more of them and they acquire a different consistency.
  2. Unpleasant sensations are observed in the lower abdomen.
  3. Swelling and engorgement of the mammary glands, pain in the chest.
  4. Changes in basal temperature.
  5. Opening and softening of the cervix.
  6. Increase in latinizing hormone.
  7. Increased sex drive.
  8. Bad feeling.

Some of them occur a couple of days before the egg is released, other symptoms in girls and women are noted during ovulation or after it is completed.

The first signs of impending ovulation

The earliest signs before ovulation are pulling pains in the lower abdomen, back pain. Some women note that on the day of ovulation, their chest hurts or the ovary pulls. However, these pains are of a short duration and disappear after the end of the release of the egg.

Not all women necessarily have all of these symptoms, because the body of each woman is individual, so if one feels that she is pulling her lower abdomen, the other may not experience such discomfort at all.

However, if not all women feel subjective physical symptoms, then there are clear signs of ovulation that occur with almost every girl at the moment of greatest fertility. We will talk about this further.


Objective signs of ovulation

If the sensations described in the previous section are subjective (for example, severe nausea, painful breasts, bloating, etc.) and are not found in every girl, then almost every woman faces objective signs of this phenomenon.

The main objective symptoms of the onset of ovulation include:

  1. Change in vaginal discharge.
  2. Increase in basal body temperature.
  3. Ultrasound captures the release of the egg.

Let's start in order.


Change in vaginal discharge

Before the onset of ovulation, there is an increase in the amount of discharge. In addition, their consistency changes: they become more liquid. How long do these symptoms last? As a rule, white discharge begins 1-2 days before the date of ovulation and ends after it occurs. For the onset of ovulation, mucous transparent discharges are characteristic, which also acquire stickiness and ductility. Some women notice the appearance of brown discharge or bloody discharge, do not worry and think that this happens due to pathologies in the genital area. In fact, the reasons for such changes are caused by an increase in progesterone in the woman's blood during this period.

This period is called the fertility phase (increased ability to conceive). Be attentive to this sign, and you will be able to plan your intimate life, easily determining a dangerous period of time if pregnancy is not yet included in your plans. The most favorable for conception are 3 days before the release of the egg and 2 days after this event. Nature allotted only 5 days a month to conceive a child.


Increase in basal body temperature

The period of approaching ovulation is characterized by a slight increase in basal temperature. To trace this sign, every morning a woman should measure her temperature without getting out of bed by inserting a thermometer into the anus. In the first phase of the cycle, the basal temperature values ​​are in the range of 36.5 -36.7 degrees, and as ovulation approaches, they rise to 37.

The data should be displayed on a special graph with which you can understand the approach of the fertile period and its end. Also, using the graph, it is easy to determine the day the egg is released. So the approach of ovulation corresponds to an increase in basal temperature, and to the period when the release of a mature egg took place, its decline. A sharp drop in temperature is noted on the day of ovulation.

Keeping a basal temperature chart will also help you plan your intimate life, depending on whether you want to become a mother in the near future or have decided to postpone this event for now.

If you have problems conceiving, the basal temperature chart will tell you if your eggs are maturing at all and will help the gynecologist make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.


Ultrasound captures the release of the egg

The fertile period can be easily determined using ultrasound. Ultrasound allows you to find out: Whether the follicle is increasing in size, that is, whether the growth and maturation of the egg occurs. Changes occurring in the cervix: its smoothing and opening. The appearance of a corpus luteum in the right or left ovary (in place of a mature egg). The presence of follicular fluid indicates that the egg has left the follicle and ovulation has begun. The data of ultrasound diagnostics are quite accurate and allow you to answer with almost one hundred percent certainty when ovulation occurs in the body.

How to determine ovulation yourself?

There are many different ways to feel ovulation:

  • monitor your own well-being;
  • be attentive to mucous secretions;
  • monitor basal body temperature.

Also today, every woman has the opportunity to use a special test to determine ovulation. It acts by analogy with a pregnancy test, but it only determines not pregnancy, but the most successful time for conception. The task of the test is to determine the maximum level of progesterone in the blood.

As a rule, 5 test strips are sold in a package. Testing should begin closer to the middle of the cycle, from 10-11 days, if menstruation occurs at an interval of 28 days. The test strip must be lowered into a glass of urine, and wait 30 seconds, then put on a dry surface and after three minutes you can interpret the result. When the fertile period approaches, the test will show the presence of a second strip (if ovulation is not yet soon, the second strip will not be present at all). The brighter the strip, the closer the successful period of conception. When the egg release process is completed, the luteal phase begins, and the test will again show one strip.

Ovulation tests are a simple and affordable way to determine the fertile period, and in combination with the analysis of cervical mucus and other sensations characteristic of the ovulation period, the probability of accurately determining the most appropriate time for conception or, on the contrary, abstain from sexual intercourse during the specified period.


Symptoms of the end of ovulation

If the egg release process is completed and ovulation has occurred, the following symptoms are noted:

  1. Mucous discharge disappear or significantly decrease in volume.
  2. The breast ceases to be painful and less sensitive.
  3. Pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen disappear.
  4. Pimples that appeared on the forehead before the fertile period pass.
  5. The value of the basal temperature for some time is fixed at 37 degrees, regardless of whether pregnancy has occurred or not.
  6. The general condition improves (nausea, dizziness passes).
  7. Ultrasound results show the presence of a corpus luteum in the follicle.

The presence of these signs signals ovulation, and the beginning of the corpus luteum period.

Why doesn't ovulation occur?

There are many reasons why a woman may have anovulatory cycles. 2-3 monthly cycles per year without ovulation are considered normal and do not require medical treatment. But if the eggs do not mature much more often, you should seek the help of a specialist to find out the reasons and a comprehensive examination. More often, such failures are caused by hormonal disorders, for the elimination of which consultation of a gynecologist and endocrinologist is necessary. After passing the examination and determining the cause of "sterile" cycles, you will be prescribed the appropriate treatment and will be given additional recommendations in this regard.

The reasons for the lack of ovulation, which are not associated with the presence of gynecological and endocrine diseases, can be divided into the following:

  1. Breast-feeding.
  2. Climax.
  3. Constant stress and nervous tension.
  4. A sharp change in climatic conditions.
  5. Sharp weight loss.
  6. Strong physical activity.
  7. Cancellation of hormonal drugs.

Cycles without ovulation are characterized by a delay in menstruation both for several days and for 2-3 months, strong breast sensitivity, and sudden mood swings. Bleeding that begins in such a cycle is characterized by a longer duration, pain and increased volume of blood secretions.

Most of all, women are prone to such cycles, in whose body hormonal disruptions occur. Also, women who are approaching 50 are prone to cycles without ovulation.

If you notice frequent anovulatory cycles, it is still better to contact the antenatal clinic and talk with a gynecologist about this.

We asked the consultant of our site, a specialist in the field of obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics, to answer questions about the process of ovulation.

What is ovulation and how does it happen?

At the very beginning of birth, about 500,000 oocytes (future eggs) are present in the female body, which atrophy and disappear in the process of growing up. By the time of puberty, only 450 eggs remain in the ovaries - it is they who, during each menstrual cycle, during the process of ovulation, will leave the follicle and, in the hope of fertilization with sperm, enter the fallopian tubes.

At the beginning of the cycle, there are several 10 mm follicles in the right and left ovaries of the female body. In medical terminology, it is called dominant. Under the influence of a sharp increase in the number of gonadotropic hormones FSH and LH, the follicle bursts on the fourteenth day of a normal menstrual cycle, releasing the egg, which, together with the follicular fluid, first enters the abdominal cavity and then into the fallopian tube.

With successful fertilization, the embryo begins to move along the fallopian tube into the uterine cavity, where after a week it is introduced into the mucous membrane of its wall. Implantation leads to the formation of a ruptured corpus luteum follicle in place, the main function of which is the production of the pregnancy hormone progesterone. It is he who blocks the formation of new eggs and prepares the body for the beginning of fetal development.

With unsuccessful fertilization, the egg dies and disappears after a few hours, the corpus luteum does not form.

Ovulation duration

Ovulation lasts from 24 to 48 hours, and the fertile period begins two days before the release of the egg and lasts for 24 hours. On average, the life of a sperm in the fallopian tubes is 5-7 days, so regular intercourse several times a week before ovulation increases the chances of conception up to 80%.

Ovulation symptoms

One of the most reliable ways to determine ovulation is an increase. Its measurement should take place daily in the rectum immediately after waking up and at least 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep from the first day of the end of menstruation. As a rule, ovulation occurs on the eve of an increase in basal temperature to 37 degrees Celsius or more.

The second reliable way to determine ovulation is changes. It becomes more liquid and viscous, resembling egg white in consistency. The female body specifically creates such conditions for comfortable movement of spermatozoa from the vagina to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Monitoring of cervical mucus is one of the most common ways to determine the fertile periods of the menstrual cycle.

The most reliable way to determine ovulation gynecologists call the use of a test.

More than 50% of women experience during ovulation. The exact cause of them is unknown, but experts suggest that they are closely related to the rupture of the follicle and the subsequent release of the egg.

Other symptoms of ovulation:

  • change in the position of the cervix;
  • increased sex drive;
  • irritability;
  • bloating.

Ovulation start date

The average duration of the menstrual cycle is 28 days - in fact, the period is individual for each woman and can be from 20 to 45 days - and includes three phases: follicular, ovulatory and luteal. The follicular phase begins on the first day of menstruation and continues until the onset of ovulation. The luteal phase begins after the end of ovulation and, regardless of the length of a woman's cycle, lasts for 14 days before the onset of menstruation.

It is the duration of the luteal phase that helps to calculate the date of the onset of the ovulatory period or ovulation. It is enough to subtract the last fourteen from the total number of days of the menstrual cycle.

Important: determining the date of the onset of ovulation helps to increase the chances of a successful conception of a child.


For example, if the average length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, ovulation should occur on the 14th day of the cycle or after 14 days of the first day of menstruation. In this case, sexual intercourse must be performed two days before ovulation and within 48 hours after its onset. Quickly calculate the onset of ovulation will help!

With an irregular menstrual cycle, this method does not work, so many women use an ovulation test to accurately determine ovulation. It monitors changes in the content of luteinizing hormone in the urine, which in large quantities indicates the onset of ovulation. With a positive result, ovulation occurs within 48 hours.

To obtain reliable results, an ovulation test must be performed daily a few days before the expected start date of ovulation at the same time every morning.

Reasons for not ovulating

The cessation of ovulation can cause the use of hormonal pills, the use of a vaginal ring and a contraceptive patch. These methods, by reducing the production of the hormones FSH and LH, prevent sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes and implanting an egg in the uterine wall.

In addition, it is associated with many medical complications: polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, chromosomal abnormalities, ovarian failure and early menopause. In case of problems with the onset of ovulation, you should visit your doctor or gynecologist.

Ovulation after childbirth

The timing of the resumption of ovulation after pregnancy is individual and largely depends on the feeding regimen of the child.

When breastfeeding. If the baby is exclusively breastfed and milk is consumed every three hours, the woman will not ovulate at all. In the case of mixed feeding (breast and bottle), ovulation can occur 3-4 weeks after birth. It is worth being careful: breastfeeding is not a method of contraception!

Lack of breastfeeding. Ovulation can occur within the first six weeks after delivery. Everything depends on the woman.

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