Understanding Ovulation & Your Most Fertile Days
Ovulation is a process that usually occurs every month in women and involves the release of a mature egg from the ovary. Whether you’re interested in learning more about how your body works or you’re hoping to become pregnant, it is important to understand what ovulation is, how it works and how to calculate when you are most fertile.
What is Ovulation?
Ovulation forms part of the menstrual cycle which consists of four stages - menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Before ovulation, you experience the follicular phase. At this stage, there will be a number of follicles (egg sacs) in the ovary and the eggs inside them will begin to mature. Your levels of luteinising hormone (LH) start to rise which tells the ovary to release the most mature, dominant egg.
When this dominant egg is released from the ovaries, the process is known as ovulation. The egg will then travel to the fallopian tube. If a sperm meets it there and fertilises it, it will develop into an embryo and pregnancy will begin. The egg is only able to be fertilised for 12 to 24 hours after it has been released.
When your fertile window is
If you are hoping to conceive, it’s important to have regular unprotected sex on your most fertile days to increase chances of the sperm fertilising the egg. During your regular menstrual cycle, there are six days when unprotected sex can result in a pregnancy, known as your ‘fertile window’, which includes the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.
It is calculated as this because sperm can live up to five days in your fallopian tubes and an egg can survive for up to 24 hours after it has been released . Your fertile window is usually 10 to 16 days before your next period depending on the length of your cycle.
To help you calculate and keep track of your menstrual cycle, you can try our menstrual cycle calculator.
Signs of ovulation
You can also see if you’re currently ovulating through certain signs and symptoms of ovulation. These can occur in some people who menstruate around 14 days before their next period. Some people experience ovulation pain which often:
- Comes in the form of a dull pain or sharp twinges in the ovaries
- Last anywhere from a few minutes to two days
- Occurs on one side of your stomach
- Switches sides depending on which ovary the egg is being released from.
In addition to ovulation pain, you can experience any of the following symptoms:
- Some vaginal bleeding
- A change in discharge texture, e.g. clearer and slippery around ovulation, thick and white after ovulation
- Bloating
- Breast sensitivity
- Rise in temperature (usually by 0.2 celsius after ovulation has occurred).
If you are trying to conceive and want to know whether you’re currently ovulating, you can also use an ovulation predictor kit. This includes testing strips which detect a surge in LH in your urine, which tells you when it is best to have unprotected sex.
If you want more advice about menstrual health and periods, take a look at our website and browse the products we offer to help with period pain and heavy periods. If you have any questions or concerns about your period, make sure to get in touch with your GP or pharmacist.