Ovulation

Ovulation is a phase in your menstrual cycle when your ovary releases an egg. The egg travels down your fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized by sperm. This can start a pregnancy. On average, this happens on day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle (remember that day 1 is the first day of your period).

What happens when you ovulate?

This is what happens:

• You have multiple follicles in each ovary. Every month, the follicles each start to grow an egg. During days 10 to 14 of your cycle, one of the follicles develops one fully mature egg — this becomes the dominant follicle.
• Around day 14 of your cycle, a sudden surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the ovary to release this mature egg. This is ovulation.
• After you ovulate, hormones rise to prepare your uterus for a possible pregnancy.

How long does ovulation last?

It takes only a few seconds for your ovary to release the egg. An egg survives about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation before your body reabsorbs it. But signs and symptoms can happen for days before you ovulate.

When do you ovulate?

It happens about 14 days after your period begins (if you have a 28-day cycle). The exact timing varies because everyone’s cycle length is different. A “normal” cycle is anything between 21 and 35 days, so this means ovulation is unique to you. In general, it happens about halfway through your cycle. You may find it helpful to track your menstrual cycle using an app on your phone or a calendar.

How do I know I’m ovulating?

Pinpointing ovulation can be tricky. There are several ways you can track your cycle and estimate when you should ovulate.

Here are some ways you can do it:

• Track your menstrual cycle: Keep track of your cycle on paper or an app for several months. Most people ovulate 14 days before their periods begin. Note when your period begins and if you have any symptoms.
• Cervical mucus: In the days just before ovulation, your cervical mucus turns clear and slippery (like egg whites). This consistency makes it easy for sperm to swim up to meet your egg.
• Ovulation kits: Ovulation kits ask you to pee on an indicator strip. They work by detecting LH (luteinizing hormone) in your pee. A positive result means you’re about to ovulate (usually within 36 hours). If you plan on using ovulation kits to track ovulation, you should only pee on the indicator strips in the morning. Start tracking on day 10 of your menstrual cycle and continue until it’s positive.
• Basal body temperature: Your body temperature increases slightly during ovulation (typically about 0.5 to 1 degree). Take your temperature every morning using a basal body thermometer. This method only works if you take your temperature before you get out of bed and before you eat/drink. Record your results for several months and note which day of your cycle a temperature increase occurs.
• Calendar method: Find your shortest cycle and your longest cycle in a six-month period. You subtract 18 days from your shortest cycle and 11 days from your longest cycle. These two numbers give you the days you’re most fertile in your cycle. For example, if your cycle lengths are 27 and 32, your fertile window would be days 9 to 21 of your cycle.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Not everyone has signs or symptoms. If you do, the most common are:

• Tender breasts
• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Light bleeding or spotting
• Increased sex drive
• Heightened sense of smell, taste or sight
• Mood changes
• Appetite changes

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Ovulation is when your ovary releases an egg. It happens around the 14th day of your cycle. Without ovulation, it's hard to get pregnant or have regular periods.

Is cramping normal?

Yes. Ovulation pain (or Mittelschmerz) is cramping or pelvic pain that happens around ovulation. You typically feel pain in your lower abdomen and pelvis, in the middle or on one side. The pain may happen when an egg breaks out of the follicle.

Would I get pregnant during ovulation?

Even though your egg only lives for 24 hours, sperm can live in your uterus for between three and five days. This means sex may lead to pregnancy from about five days before ovulation to one day after.

Do you still ovulate if you’re on birth control?

No. If you’re taking combined hormonal birth control (containing both estrogen and progesterone), then you shouldn’t ovulate. Keep in mind, this is only the case if you’re using it exactly as prescribed. The hormones in birth control work by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus. If you’re taking progesterone-only birth control, you’ll continue to ovulate.

Can you ovulate but not get your period?

Yes. You can ovulate but not get your period. Technically, if you’re ovulating regularly, you should also get your period regularly. But it’s possible to get your period without actually ovulating and to ovulate but not have a true period.

Can medicine help you ovulate?

Yes, there are fertility medications that help you. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and goals (like whether you wish to become pregnant). They can work with you on the best treatment.

What are the common conditions and disorders that affect ovulation?

Certain health conditions or life events may affect ovulation or cause you to stop ovulating. Some of these are:

• Breastfeeding or hyperprolactinemia
• Menopause
• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
• Primary ovarian insufficiency
• Thyroid disorders
• Endocrine disorders

Things like exercising too much, stress or having obesity can also affect it.

You may not be ovulating if you go months without a period (amenorrhea). Contact your healthcare provider if this happens so they can find the cause.