What Is Ovulation: Understanding Your Monthly Fertility Clock

Did you know? A simple calendar can be a very useful tool when trying to get pregnant. That’s because when you’re trying to conceive, timing is key. And getting your ovulation dates right means everything. Monitoring your ovulation dates can help you identify the days when you’re most fertile so that you can set the stage for a successful pregnancy.

But what is ovulation? And how exactly can you track your ovulation time period? We’ll be answering these questions in detail. 

So dive in!

What Is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the process where your ovaries release an egg. When this egg meets the sperm, fertilisation happens & an embryo is formed that later goes on to develop into a baby.¹ Therefore, when you’re trying to conceive, it’s important to know when you’re ovulating. This brings us to the next important question—what is the ovulation period and how is it calculated?¹ 

Consider a 28-day menstrual cycle. Your ovulation usually happens 14 days before the period. But this would differ from person to person depending on the length of your cycle. 

Signs & Symptoms Of Ovulation

Look out for the following signs if you wish to understand when you’re likely ovulating:¹ 

• Changes in the cervix: The colour, texture & amount of your vaginal discharge changes just before you ovulate. Your mucus becomes thin, clear & slippery.¹
• Changes in body temperature: Your body temperature, while at rest is termed basal body temperature. And this slightly increases when you’re ovulating.¹  
• Tender breasts: The change in hormone levels during or before the ovulatory period causes your breasts to become tender & sensitive.¹
• Minor pelvic or abdominal pain: Female eggs mature inside a fluid-filled sac which bursts open on maturation releasing the egg. This rupture might cause cramping or pain in the abdominal region.²
• Increased sex drive: Some of you might also notice a higher libido around the time you ovulate, due to increased estrogen levels.³
• Heightened sense of smell, taste or sight: Women also notice a change in their sense of smell.¹
• Mood and appetite changes: You may notice changes in your mood, appetite & overall digestion. A few women also complain of bloating during this time.¹ 

How Long Does Ovulation Last

After an egg is released during ovulation, it survives for up to 24 hours in the fallopian tube (the part where the egg is released & fertilised). Ovulation per se can last from 16 to 32 hours. You must note that ovulation does not happen in women who are pregnant, postmenopausal or are on the contraceptive pill.⁴

How Ovulation Affects Fertility

Ovulation is the main physiological process that determines your fertility. Women are typically the most fertile in the 3 days leading up to ovulation (including the day ovulation starts). But the possibility of getting pregnant remains up to 5 days prior to ovulation. This means you need to start having sex with your partner in those 5 days.⁵

As the sperm stays alive for about 5 days inside a female body, it’s also smart to plan ahead and start having sex around 5 days before ovulation happens. This will ensure that your partner’s sperm is already there to fertilise your soon-to-be-released egg. Once fertilisation occurs, it’s only a matter of time before you’re officially pregnant.⁵

What Prevents Ovulation?

Around 30% of women are affected by anovulation, a condition in which ovulation does not happen. There could be a number of possible reasons for the same including:⁶

• Obesity or low body weight
• Stress
• Excessive exercise
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

All these are factors that trigger a hormonal imbalance which results in the lack or absence of ovulation.

Having learnt all about ovulation, how it occurs & what prevents it, let’s explore what happens when fertilisation doesn’t happen. 

Overview Of The Menstrual Cycle

When your partner’s sperm fails to fertilise your egg (released each month), the uterine lining will start to shed off. This is called menstruation, a phenomenon that starts at puberty & ends when you hit your menopause. On average, the menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days (from the first day of your first period to the next). Understanding your menstrual cycle is crucial for keeping track of your ovulation.⁷

How To Track Your Menstrual Cycle?

The simplest way to track your menstrual cycle is to note the day your periods start each month on a calendar. Continue marking it on days that your bleeding lasts. And again start marking when it restarts next month. The gap between the first days of the current & previous period will be the length of your menstrual cycle. If you want to skip all this hassle, you can also try out various apps that are available for the same.⁸

Before You Go…

We hope this blog helped you answer the question—’what is ovulation?’. As a woman who’s trying to get pregnant, it becomes very important to be informed about it & know the days when you’re ovulating. This will help you to plan sex on the right days and ultimately achieve pregnancy sooner. 

And even after all the planning, if you’re still struggling to conceive, you should probably think about getting your fertility tested. Consider LifeCell’s OvaScore—an at-home test that checks female fertility hormones, identifies potential red flags for your reproductive health & helps you navigate your pregnancy journey forward.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. 

FAQs

• How Many Days Do You Ovulate In A Month?

Ovulation lasts for about a day in a month.⁴

• How Do I Know When Ovulation Is Over?

When ovulation stops, the symptoms of your ovulation resolve, the body temperature goes down & the cervical mucus changes.

• How Many Days Does Ovulation Discharge Last?

The discharge during ovulation lasts for around 4 days.