Basics of Ovulation (What is ovulation, when do you ovulate)

Ovulation is the process where an egg is released from one of the ovaries of a woman in the middle of her menstrual cycle. The released egg travels down the fallopian tube, where it might get fertilized by sperm. This is the period of the month when the woman is most fertile and most likely to get pregnant. Knowing the ovulation basics help women to predict when it is likely to occur and increase their chances of conception or to avoid it.

What happens during ovulation?

Many eggs begin to develop in the ovary inside a fluid-filled bubble-like structure called follicles during the menstrual cycles. The development of the follicles is triggered by the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and only one follicle makes it to the stage of ovulation while the ovary absorbs the rest. In a process that takes about two weeks, the follicle grows in size, waiting to culminate in ovulation. The luteinizing hormone or LH released by the body in the middle of the menstrual cycle triggers ovulation, and an egg is released into the fallopian tube as the follicle ruptures. If the egg is fertilized within 24 hours, it can lead to a pregnancy or else the egg dies.

When does ovulation occur?

The exact timing of ovulation depends on the menstrual cycle length and can vary in each woman. If the menstrual cycle length is 28 days, ovulation usually occurs between days 13 and 15. If the cycle length varies between 27 to 35 days, then ovulation can occur between days 13 to 20. To predict the precise ovulation window, ovulation symptoms can be tracked by women. These include:

• Increase in basal body temperature (BBT)
• The thin consistency of cervical discharge (comparable to raw egg white)
• Increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) detectable by ovulation predictor kit.

What happens before ovulation?

The first part of the cycle is called the follicular phase and starts on the first day of the last menstrual period. If day 1 of the menstrual cycle (of a 28-day cycle) is when the period starts, the bleeding can last from 3-5 days on average. By day 7, the ovaries would have started to prepare for the egg release. From days 7 to 11, the uterus prepares by thickening its lining to prepare for the fertilized egg to latch on. By day 13, a spike in the luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation. The follicular phase can differ widely in women and last from 7 to 40 days.

What happens after ovulation?

The second part of the cycle is called the luteal phase. It starts from the day of ovulation and lasts until the next period begins. During this period, the ovarian follicle transforms into the corpus luteum and produces high amounts of progesterone in addition to estrogen to prepare the uterine lining for implantation in the event the egg gets fertilized. If there is no implantation, the hormone levels decline, which leads to the shedding of the lining of the uterus leading to bleeding. The luteal phase is shorter and only lasts about 12 to 16 days after the ovulation period.

Ovulation is the release of the egg from one of the ovaries in the middle of the menstrual period. It is the phase of the menstrual cycle during which women are most likely to get pregnant. Ovulation can be predicted by observing the signs that are brought about by the hormonal changes leading up to it.

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