Ovulation Cycle: What Happens During Ovulation

The question that arises when discussions on the reproductive health of a woman are held is usually, “when are you most fertile?” A woman can become pregnant during specific days of her cycle. However, calculating and tracking these ovulation days can become hectic for most women. Besides, coming up with the best method to track ovulation days can also prove to be difficult. There are various methods you can use to figure out your ovulation days. You just have to choose which one you will be consistent with or the one that will make the process of calculation easy.

There are very many misleading myths that are associated with ovulation. This article demystifies such issues and provides the facts concerning ovulation. Hopingly, it will help you to have a better knowledge of your ovulation cycle, menstruation, and ovulation days. Today, I will discuss this topic in-depth and analyze the best and easiest ways to calculate your ovulation and fertile days. Additionally, I have also compiled a list of questions that women frequently ask and the answers to these questions to ensure you have a further understanding of this topic.

Ovulation: Menstruation and Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation is the process when the thick lining of the uterus (endometrium) is shed off, while the menstrual cycle is the period between the beginning of the current menstruation and the next one. The menstrual cycle is how a body prepares for pregnancy. Therefore, menstruation only occurs if fertilization of the egg does not take place. A normal menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days. However, sometimes a cycle can last for only 21 days or can take up to 35 days. Also, you may experience an irregular menstrual cycle, which will lead to a variation of the days in it.

The menstrual cycle comprises of different phases. The first phase is during the first five days of your period. It may take less than 5 days or go up to 7 days. If your periods last for more than 7 days, it may be a cause for concern, and you need to attend a doctor. The second phase is the 6th – 14th day, when bleeding stops, and the endometrium gets formed to prepare for a possible pregnancy. The third phase is the 14th – 25th day. Here, ovulation will take place on the 14th day. Lastly, we have the period between the 25th – 28th day, during which if the egg released during ovulation wasn’t fertilized, the uterus would prepare to shed off the endometrium.

When an ovum gets fertilized, you will definitely miss your period, and this is an indication of pregnancy. However, it is possible for you to miss your period even if the egg has not been fertilized. This is normal due to hormonal changes. It can also be an indication of some health problems, as well.

What Is Ovulation? – A Brief Explanation

Ovulation occurs when an ovum is released from the ovary. The ovum then passes through the fallopian tube, and then, if fertilization fails to occur, it is passed down to the uterus. The process is regulated by the abrupt increase in levels of luteinizing hormone released from the pituitary gland in the brain. Ovulation does not occur during every cycle, thus the term ‘anovulatory cycle.’ During an anovulatory cycle, a woman undergoes normal menses without an ovum being produced from the ovary.

What Happens with a Woman’s Body During Ovulation?

When a lady ovulates, several things happen to her body. They include:

• Changes in discharge – both the quantity and quality of cervical mucus change. It becomes abundant, thin, and stretchy.
• Breasts become tender – ovulation brings an increase in the progesterone hormone which makes the nipples and breasts become more sensitive.
• Pelvic pain – acute pain may be felt in the pelvic region.
• Spotting – this, however, has a slight chance of occurring.
• Fluctuations of mood – mood changes due to alterations of hormone levels.
• Body temperature rises – a slight augmentation in temperature occurs as a result of an increase in progesterone.

When Does Ovulation Start During Menstrual Cycle?

Ovulation occurs in the middle of menstruation cycle. For a 28-day menstrual cycle, the day of ovulation should be on the 14th day. If you have been asking yourself how long after your periods do you ovulate, then this has got to be approximately seven to nine days if you have a normal cycle.

The length of your ovulation cycle depends on the menstrual cycle. If your menstrual cycle is 28 days, then your ovulation cycle will also be 28 days. However, it happens only if ovulation occurs. In case you have been wondering how long do you ovulate, note that ovulation lasts from 12-24 hours. The egg released from the ovary is only viable for up to 24 hours.

Non-Fertile Days and Days When One Is Fertile in an Ovulation Cycle

When are you fertile? This question is a frequent subject of fertility discussions. The cycle of ovulation determines your fertile and non-fertile days. The days are also commonly referred to as safe and non-safe days. To determine when is ovulation day, which always marks the most fertile day in the cycle, you should ensure that you know the average number of days the cycle takes.

The ovulate cycle has different phases categorized according to days. The first phase is the non-fertile phase, which happens immediately after you receive your menstruation. That is from the 6th day of your cycle straight to the 9th day. This is the period before ovulation, and it is hard to get pregnant at this time.

The second phase is the opening of the fertile window. This happens between the 10th day up to the 13th day, so if you have been thinking, “when is a woman most fertile,” these are the fertile days when your body prepares for ovulation. Besides, it is easy to conceive during this time. This is because sperm can last in the uterus up to five days, and this makes it possible for the egg to get fertilized.

There is also the main phase of the cycle, which is the 14th – 15th days, when the ovum gets released from the ovary and 24 hours after its release. If you have been bothered by the question, “when is the most fertile for a woman day” – it is during this period. The last phase coming after ovulation period occurs during the 16th – 28th day. It is hard to get pregnant at this time since the egg has already been shed off from the body in the form of secretions. It is important to note that the egg does not come out as blood during menstruation, but it comes out before in the form of secretions or vaginal discharge.

In order to make an ovulation chart to determine when is the most fertile for a woman period, you need to make a summary of how your cycle occurs. You can use this table to come up with your own ovulation cycle chart.

Best Ways to Make a Prediction of The Ovulation Day

The first method you can use is counting your cycle days. When calculating your menstrual cycle or charting cycles ovulation, you should start from the first day of your menses since it marks the initial day of the cycle. Ovulation takes place 14 days before your next period. Therefore, to determine when is ovulation in the cycle, count 14 days from the beginning of your previous period.

By calculating manually, you may miss out on some days. Hence, it is advisable to use a menstrual cycle ovulation calculator or a calendar to help you determine the exact date of your ovulation. These calendars and calculators are available online. I would advise you to have an application where you consistently fill in your reproductive information to help you keep track of your cycle or pick out when something is wrong easily.

If you are wondering “when do I ovulate on a 25 day cycle,” first, it is important to understand that the occurrences before and after ovulation are not different from the normal 28-day cycle. The luteal phase starts after ovulation and comes to an end right before you start your next period, and this is similar in all cycles.

Therefore, your fertile day will be on the 11th day of your cycle, and your most fertile days will happen from the 10th to the 12th day. In case you are a female with a 26 day cycle when ovulate you may experience your ovulation earlier in the cycle. Most fertile days for these women will range from 11th – 13th. In the case of the ovulation cycle 26 days long, the ovulation day is the 12th day.

Similarly, if your question is, “when do I ovulate on a 32 day cycle,” the range of your most fertile days will be between 17th – 19th days, while your ovulation will occur on the 18th day. So, when is ovulation for a 30 day cycle? Well, the specific ovulation day for this cycle is on its 16th day. Also, for a 30 days cycle ovulation, the most fertile days range from 15th – 17th day.

Using Ovulation Predictor Test Kits: When Are Women Most Fertile?

Keep accurate track of the days you ovulate by using an ovulation test kit. The kit predicts the release of an ovum from the ovary within days or even hours by detecting the abrupt rise of the luteinizing hormone, which mainly takes place before ovulation.

Most women have not used this kit and wonder how it works. The kit basically tests the luteinizing hormone present in your urine, which should be collected in the afternoon for accuracy purposes. This hormone’s levels rise in your body between 34 – 36 hours prior to ovulation. This is a period when one is most fertile.

There are two types of the ovulation test kits, namely saliva and urine kits. These two are used differently, and thus it is important to follow the instructions given carefully. For the urine test kit, collect your urine in a clean container and insert the stick in the container up to the indicated level. The test card should indicate a positive sign to show that there is a surge of luteinizing hormone. This confirms that ovulation will occur in the next 24-36 hours. There exist digital test kits that indicate ovulation with a smiley face.

There are a few things you should observe to achieve proper results with the urine test kit. They include: avoiding collecting your urine immediately after waking up, taking a lot of water immediately before the test to avoid dilution of urine which may give inaccurate results, and ensuring you read your results within 10 minutes for more accuracy.

For the kit that uses saliva, you have to spit your saliva on a slide, let it dry, and then view it under the microscope. You will notice a clear fern-like shape. This showcases an upsurge in estrogen and salt levels. The pattern becomes visible 3-5 days prior to the day of ovulation. For this test to be accurate, avoid eating or smoking before the test, ensure the slide is clean, and remember that saliva must dry out before viewing it under the microscope.

Many women would like to be assured of the accuracy levels of an ovulation predictor kit. I can tell you for sure that they are more appropriate compared to using charts, calendars, and temperature changes to determine your most fertile days. If used in the right way, these test kits can provide a 99.9% accurate result of the surge in the luteinizing hormone. However, these kits cannot determine if ovulation occurs two or three days later.

You should know how long your cycle lasts to avoid undertaking the test too late or too early, which may always give negative results. Also, keep in mind the time of taking a test. Mostly, the changes in the LH take place in mid-day or afternoon. Thus, the best time to take your test is in the afternoon and not in the morning. These test kits come at very affordable prices. For example, in the United States, the price ranges from 30 to 40 dollars for 10 kits. The digital versions may cost slightly higher than the regular predictor kits.

Measuring Body Temperature

You can track your temperature by measuring it frequently using a basal body thermometer. This way, you will notice the changes as soon as they happen. This is a reliable approach for determining when you are ovulating since the temperature frequently changes during your cycle due to the hormonal fluctuation levels. Your basal body temperature will be low before ovulation due to the domination of estrogen. On the other hand, it will rise during ovulation by one degree due to a boost of progesterone, which leads to an increase in body temperature.

The changes happen because the uterus prepares to receive a fertilized egg from the fallopian tube. Basal body temperature is your core temperature or, rather, the temperature your body records when you are not doing anything. Therefore, for this method to be effective in determining your ovulation day, you should take your temperature around the same time daily and make records to form a chart. This will help you note the pattern your temperature takes during ovulation. For women who have a regular basal body temperature chart, there should be a pattern formed showing a variation of two temperatures.

Using basal body temperature to determine your fertile days can be hectic since you have to use it consistently to avoid making a mistake. Besides, you should be committed to measuring your temperature every morning and recording the result in your chart for monitoring. Your accuracy level should also be on point. Missing one reading may lead to interfering with the follow up of the whole cycle. However, despite being a demanding method of determining ovulation or fertile days, it is accurate if used consistently and interpreted well.

How Long Is Ovulation? Here Are the Signs to Show That You Are Still Ovulating

Supposedly, you have been asking yourself recently, when do I ovulate? Then you can use these signs to track your ovulation days:

• Mild abdominal cramps
• The vaginal discharge becomes more clear or more white than normal
• A rise in body temperature
• Soreness of breasts
• Increased sexual desire
• Light spotting

These signs will help you predict your ovulation days only if you are conversant with your body changes during the different cycles you experience. These signs are the way your body sends you a memo when ovulation is about to take place or when it is occurring. For example, some women can detect changes in their cervix by inserting a finger or two. During ovulation, the cervix may soften and open a little bit, while before ovulation, the cervix remains firm and closed. If you observe the cervical mucus discharged during ovulation, you will also note the difference.

All these methods of identifying ovulation days work best if there are accuracy and consistency in following them. However, some factors may interfere or influence accuracy. For example, for basal body temperature, one may fall ill, and this will definitely affect the whole chart. As well, predictor kits may not work best for everyone, especially if you have irregular periods, and you are not aware of the exact length of your cycle.

Questions That Arise on Matters of Ovulation

Frequently Asked Questions

Many ladies ask questions concerning ovulation. Below are some of the common queries and the answers to them

When Is My Ovulation Cycle?

How many days after your period do you ovulate? Knowing these days will help you know your ovulation cycle. Your cycle is determined by the menstrual one. Therefore, if the latter takes longer, the ovulation cycle will also prolong, and vice versa.

Do Short Cycles Mean No Ovulation?

Your cycle’s length can be a measure of imbalances of hormones and a determinant for the occurrence of ovulation. A short menstrual cycle, which may go up to less than 21 days, can be a clear indication that ovulation has not happened. Thus, shorter cycles are a clear sign that ovulation is not occurring. You should make an appointment with a gynecologist to determine what the problem is.

What Is the Cause of Shorter Cycles?

The major cause is your age. As a woman approaches menopause, the menstrual cycle becomes shorter since the number of ova in the ovary decline. Also, the brain gets stimulated to release the follicle-stimulating hormone, which arouses the ovaries to develop follicles, which causes early ovulation, and thus shortened cycles. Additionally, the menses will still occur even when ovulation fails. This also results in a shortened cycle.

How Do You Count Ovulation Cycle?

How long does ovulation last? The best way to determine this is to start from the first day of your last menses to the next time your menses start. This will give you accurate results of how long your ovulation cycle lasts. Also, it will enable you to know your ovulation date. If you have been wondering when is ovulation in the cycle, then this is the best method to identify your ovulation day just by keeping track of the number of days your menstrual or ovulation cycle lasts.

Is It Possible to Regulate My Ovulation Cycle?

The ovulation cycle depends on the menstrual cycle. Therefore, by regulating the menstrual cycle, you automatically regulate the ovulation one too. Contraceptives can be used to alter your menstrual cycle. Various contraceptive approaches, such as the daily pill, can be used to even out your cycle. Hence, you will be aware of when to expect your next period or when your ovulation day will be.
Additionally, exercising daily and taking the correct diet helps to maintain normal body weight. Therefore, eating less food may strain the glands, which regulate the hormonal balance, which may result in the irregular ovulation cycle.

What Brings About Long Ovulation Cycle?

Ovulation that is not regular or no ovulation at all will lead to a longer ovulation cycle. A cycle that lasts up to 35 days is considered to be a long cycle. If progesterone levels reduce, bleeding during a normal cycle will occur. Thus, if ovulation fails, the progesterone is not released, which results in the continuous thickening of the walls of the uterus in preparation for pregnancy. When those walls become thicken enough to lack stability, it is shed off. This results in heavy bleeding, the starting of which you cannot predict and which may last longer. Physiological stress can also be a cause of a prolonged ovulation cycle.

Does Ovulation Cycle Change After Pregnancy?

Breastfeeding determines when your cycle returns to its normal state. The prolactin hormone, which is responsible for the production of breast milk, limits ovulation. Mothers who are not breastfeeding experience their normal ovulation cycle 4-8 weeks after giving birth. For breastfeeding mothers, it is normal to miss your periods for two months or more. Noteworthy, it takes time for menstrual periods to return to regular postpartum, depending on your breastfeeding status.

Can Ovulation Occur Immediately After Menstruation?

Yes. This can happen, and it is common to those experiencing a shorter cycle. For example, if your ovulation cycle takes 21 days and you menstruate for 7 days, this can result in ovulation occurring immediately after your period. This is because ovulation mainly happens during 12 – 15 days before you receive your next menstruation. Thus, ovulation will take place on the 8th to the 10th day of your ovulation cycle.

Can One Experience Ovulation More Than Once?

This is quite impossible considering the hormonal balance and levels which control ovulation. In the case of the release of two mature eggs, they get released almost at the same time, and when fertilized, they form fraternal twins. So, how many days do you ovulate? Note that ovulation takes place only once, and lasts for 24 hours.

On Ovulation: Closing Remarks

Understanding the ovulation cycle has become difficult for most women, especially when determining their fertile days. The most important thing is to pay attention to your body and be conversant with any significant changes that occur during the cycle. The body is always passing a message across with the variation in moods, appearance, or feelings. For example, some women may have acne when they are approaching menstruation, and this is a clear memo being sent to you by your body.

Different ovulation cycles or menstrual cycles vary in the ovulation dates. It is important for you to know the length of your cycle by using the suggested methods above, like using the ovulation predictor kits. So, if you are thinking about conceiving, this guide will assist you in making the right timing.

By recognizing the indicators of ovulation, you’ll be able to time sex with your significant other properly to increase the probabilities of conceiving. Even if you aren’t to conceive now, understanding the ovulation indicators can help you monitor your cycle and assist you in noticing any abnormal symptoms of ovulation.

Do you keep track of your ovulation cycle? Which ovulation kit do you prefer to use? Does it give you accurate results? Share your opinion by leaving a comment below.