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. 

When Does Ovulation Occur and How to Track It?

In a typical 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation usually happens around day 14, but it can vary from person to person. To figure this out, when you're likely to ovulate, you can track your cycle using a phone app or calendar. Generally, your period will start about 14 to 16 days after ovulation, no matter how long your cycle is. 

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 To Know If You're Ovulating

Tracking ovulation can be tricky, but using a combination of methods can help improve accuracy: 

Menstrual Cycle Tracking: Ovulation typically happens about 14 days before your next period, regardless of your cycle length. Keep a record using a period tracker app or journal for a few months to spot patterns. 

• Calendar Method: Track your shortest and longest cycles over six months. Subtract 18 days from the shortest and 11 from the longest to estimate your fertile window. For example, if your cycles range from 18 to 31 days, your fertile days are likely between days 10 and 20. 
• Cervical Mucus Monitoring: Right before ovulation, vaginal discharge often changes to a clear, slippery, and stretchy consistency, similar to egg whites, which helps sperm move more easily. 
• Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Your body temp slightly rises after ovulation. Use a BBT thermometer to measure temperature daily before getting out of bed. Track for a few months to spot ovulation trends. 
• Ovulation Kits: These at-home urine tests detect a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), signalling that ovulation is likely to occur within 24–36 hours. 

Fertility Vs. Ovulation: What’s The Difference?

While ovulation is a key part of the fertility process, it’s not the same. Ovulation refers to the release of an egg, while fertility is your ability to conceive. You can be ovulating but still face fertility challenges due to other factors like egg quality, sperm health, or hormonal imbalances. 

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

Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle is driven by hormonal changes that guide your body through four key phases: 

• The Menses Phase: Starts on the first day of your period. If pregnancy hasn't occurred, the uterine lining sheds through the vagina. Bleeding typically lasts 3–5 days, but 3–7 days is still considered normal. 9
• The Follicular Phase: Begins with your period and ends at ovulation. Rising estrogen thickens the uterine lining, while FSH stimulates follicle growth. By days 10–14, one follicle matures into an egg. 9
• Ovulation: Around day 14, a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the release of the mature egg from the ovary. 9
• The Luteal Phase: From day 15 to 28, progesterone levels rise to support a potential pregnancy. If the egg isn’t fertilised, hormone levels drop, triggering your next period. 

When Does Ovulation Return After A Miscarriage?

Ovulation can resume as early as two weeks after a miscarriage, especially if it occurred during the first trimester. For many, it may take up to a month or two for cycles to become regular again.

While some people track ovulation using ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), these may not be reliable immediately after a miscarriage. That’s because pregnancy hormones like hCG can still linger in your body and trigger a false positive. It’s usually best to wait until after your first period to start tracking ovulation again. 

Health Conditions That Affect Ovulation

• Ovulation Disorders - These conditions disrupt the release of eggs from the ovaries, often due to hormonal imbalances. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), high prolactin levels, and thyroid issues (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) can all impact ovulation, leading to menstrual irregularities and potential fertility issues. 
• Endometriosis - It occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, potentially impacting the functioning of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. 
• Pelvic Adhesions - They are bands of scar tissue that bind organs together. They can form after pelvic infections, surgeries, or conditions like endometriosis or appendicitis.

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.