Ovulation and everything around it

There are women whose menstrual cycle is regular as clockwork and who know almost to the day when ovulation will come. Then there are others who have a very irregular cycle and do not even notice ovulation symptoms in themselves. What is ovulation, how can you recognize it, and why is it important?

What is ovulation

During ovulation, an egg that has matured in the ovary is released and travels to the fallopian tube, where it waits to be fertilized. If the egg and sperm unite, it then moves to the uterus, where it implants and a new life begins. If fertilization does not occur, the egg perishes and menstruation begins. 

How long ovulation lasts

Ovulation lasts only 12-24 hours, so if a couple is trying for a baby, it is good to time it precisely for the period of ovulation, when the chance of conception is highest. A woman can also become pregnant during the so-called fertile days. 

Fertile days

A sperm can wait for an egg for approximately 3 days in the vagina, and since ovulation lasts about 24 hours, it is possible to get pregnant even the day after ovulation. There are therefore a total of five fertile days - three days before ovulation, on the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation.  

Ovulation calculation

Ovulation can be calculated based on knowledge of the cycle length. There are plenty of ovulation calculators online, where you only need to enter the first day of your last period, the length of your menstrual cycle, and the length of your period in days. The ovulation date is simply calculated from these data; however, we cannot rely on this calculation with complete certainty, because ovulation can be influenced by many factors. It is generally stated that in a cycle lasting 28 days, ovulation occurs on the 14th-18th day of the menstrual cycle. But one month that may be true, while the next month it may not. It is therefore a good idea to try other methods of detecting ovulation as well.  

How to tell when ovulation is happening

A doctor can detect ovulation using an ultrasound examination, which is usually performed in the case of artificial conception. If a woman is healthy, it is advisable for her to try several methods, the combination of which then gives a clearer picture of the menstrual cycle and makes it possible to say when ovulation occurs. Ideally, a woman should observe herself for several months so that she knows how her body behaves in different phases of the cycle. What can you try:

• ovulation test - works on the same principle as a pregnancy test; if it shows two equally strong lines, ovulation will occur within 24-48 hours, 
• tracking basal temperature - every morning after waking up, you measure your temperature in the vagina; ovulation can only be determined from this method retrospectively, because if the temperature starts to rise in the following days after ovulation, then ovulation occurred on the day when the thermometer showed the lowest temperature. This method is especially useful for finding out information about your cycle. You know approximately when ovulation occurs, and if you become pregnant, basal temperature then does not drop.,
• cervical mucus - during fertile days, cervical mucus changes; it becomes thinner, clearer, and more stretchy,
• position of the cervix - before ovulation, the cervix moves higher, where it is harder to feel,
• fertile and infertile days monitor - every morning you measure your temperature in your mouth, and the monitor evaluates which phase of the cycle you are in (for example Daisy monitor or Lady-Comp monitor)

Symptoms of ovulation

Just like the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and early pregnancy, the symptoms of ovulation are highly individual. Some women have no idea when they ovulate, while others know very well. A sign of ovulation can be:

• lower abdominal pain,
• pain on one side (in the ovary - the egg is released there),
• feeling of a bloated belly,
• lower basal body temperature - if the woman is measuring her temperature,
• change in cervical mucus, 
• more sensitive breasts,
• increased sex drive and greater attractiveness, or the complete opposite,
• change in the position of the cervix,
• heightened sense of smell,
• headache,
• nausea,
• increased appetite,
• improvement or worsening of the skin (ovulation acne),
• bleeding during ovulation - slight bleeding caused by the rupture of the follicle in which the egg is maturing. During ovulation, the follicle bursts and the egg is released into the fallopian tube, where it waits to be fertilized.

Anovulatory cycle

Some women may have so-called anovulatory cycles, which means that ovulation (the maturation of the egg) does not occur within one cycle, even though the woman menstruates and bleeds (the lining of the uterus regularly builds up and sheds). If ovulation does not occur, then it is not possible to get pregnant. 

Anovulatory cycles are caused by

• elevated prolactin levels (the woman is breastfeeding her baby, but this is not a rule; the cycle may resume immediately after the six-week postpartum period with full breastfeeding),
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),
• thyroid problem,
• obesity or, conversely, undernutrition,
• too much stress,
• high physical strain (athletes often have it),
• women 35+.

Signs of an anovulatory cycle include

• irregular menstruation or even its absence,
• inability to get pregnant, 
• negative ovulation tests,
• no symptoms typical of ovulation.

How to support ovulation

Ovulation can be addressed with hormonal treatment with the help of doctors, or you can take matters into your own hands and try:

• herbs - lady's mantle, chasteberry, evening primrose, raspberry leaf,
• to avoid alcohol and think about a high-quality, nutritious diet,
• to get quality sleep,
• enough vitamin D,
• to get into a state of well-being - the mind has a big influence on ovulation,
• not to rush yourself.

If you are planning to get pregnant, don’t worry too much about it at first. Most importantly, be mentally at ease and make love with your partner whenever you feel like it. If it doesn’t happen and the two lines don’t appear on a pregnancy test even after a few months, then start paying attention to your body and find out where the problem might be. It may just be a lack of vitamin D or intercourse outside the fertile days. Only when you’re in a tight spot should you turn to a doctor, with whom you can discuss what’s troubling you and together you will surely find a solution.