Ovulation is called the most important stage female menstrual cycle when the follicle ruptures and from the ovary to fallopian tube an egg arrives, ready for fertilization. Only the release of an egg - healthy and mature - makes pregnancy possible, and therefore the ovulation period is so important for planning conception.
When does ovulation occur?
The release of the egg is a kind of peak of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation occurs approximately in the middle of the cycle. If it is standard and fluctuates somewhere between 27-29 days, then the egg is released 12-16 days before the start of the next menstruation. As a rule, with a clear 28-day cycle, which is observed in most women, this is the 14th day.
Since everyone’s indicators are individual, and cycle failure due to many external factors happens quite often, it is possible to understand that ovulation has occurred only by minor changes in well-being.
Conception is possible not only directly on the day of ovulation. The lifespan of an egg is about 24 hours, and the lifespan of a young sperm is healthy man- from 72 hours or more. It doesn’t matter at all when their fusion occurs, and therefore any of the sexual acts 3-4 days before ovulation and a day after it can result in conception.
By the way, it is precisely because of this instability and relativity of timing that you should not use ovulation calculation as a method of contraception - the probability of error here is very high. In addition, there are many exceptions: for some women, ovulation occurs twice during a cycle, often the cycle shifts, and quite unexpectedly, by several days, and it is quite difficult to find out about such failures. Why then do you need to know the time when ovulation occurs?
Why determine ovulation?
- The release of the egg marks the beginning of the period when you can conceive a child. For families who carefully plan their future, as well as for those who have problems conceiving, knowing this period is very important.
- The timely onset of ovulation, as well as other stages of the cycle, is an indicator of a woman’s health. If for several months a couple makes attempts to conceive a child, including having sex during the period of ovulation, but pregnancy does not occur, then there is some kind of failure. It will be possible to determine what exactly was the root of the problem after undergoing an examination, and both partners must undergo it.
- It also happens that a woman’s body functions normally and there are no abnormalities or diseases, but her husband’s spermogram is not normal. Spermatozoa are immobile, not tenacious, and are produced in small quantities. In this case, knowing the date of ovulation is especially important: only sexual intercourse 1-2 days before it or on the day the egg is released can lead to conception. In this case, it is advisable to refrain from making love 3-4 days before ovulation: then sperm accumulate, and thanks to them high concentration the chances of a successful conception become much greater.
There is also an opinion that by calculating the day of ovulation you can plan the gender of the child. Sperm with a “male” Y chromosome are usually more mobile, but last relatively short time, while “female” X chromosomes live longer. In this case, theoretically, if sexual intercourse takes place on the day of ovulation, the “male” sperm will be the first to enter the egg, and if 2-3 days before it, only the “female” part will survive. Doctors do not confirm this theory, and statistics speak in their favor. This method, like many others, has only a 50% effect, which is similar to the “randomness” that nature provides.
How to determine ovulation
Symptoms of ovulation are always quite subjective; some women experience them all at the same time, while others do not recognize any of them. However, in most cases, if the cycle is normal and there are no diseases, you can determine the approaching release of the egg by the following symptoms.
1. Change in the nature of discharge
Even between menstruation, a small amount of cervical mucus is secreted from the uterus - a characteristic odorless, transparent or white. If ovulation does not occur, the mucus changes its character: it becomes thick white, dense, thick. In case of failure, discharge may be completely absent - this is the same problem as its atypical appearance or smell. If everything is normal, the released liquid has a neutral odor and is transparent. Heavy discharge Signs of this nature may indicate the approach of ovulation or its beginning.
This method of determination can be used as an auxiliary one; it is not very reliable, since a change in the nature of the discharge is also observed when
- Vaginal infections;
- Venereal diseases;
- Strong sexual arousal;
- Regular use of a lubricant for successful sexual intercourse.
The method has its pros and cons.
Advantages:
- Does not require financial costs.
- Allows you to determine the release of the egg quickly and in a timely manner.
- Quite accurate, since discharge is always present during ovulation.
Flaws:
- Heavy discharge, which can be mistakenly taken as a signal of the beginning of ovulation, accompanies a lot of other processes.
- Discharge decreases when treated with Clomid or antihistamines, and ovulation occurs as usual. In this case, cervical fluid cannot serve as an indicator.
2. Noticeable increase in sexual desire
Oddly enough, nature took care of procreation on its own. During periods of increased fertility (that is, when successful conception can occur), a woman begins to experience especially strong sexual desire. Medical research also confirms this fact. Approaching ovulation suggests changes in hormonal levels. Hormones are the factor that makes a woman want to make love more often.
Advantages of the method:
- No special devices, analyzes or tests are required - just listen to your feelings.
- The general emotional uplift has a good effect on the body.
Minuses:
- Inaccuracy of the method: sexual desire in many women, especially young women, is associated not only with physiological, but also with emotional factors, and therefore can be experienced at other times.
- Stress, depression, and tension can interfere with determining the deadline. Sexual desire is a priori reduced, if a diagnosis of “infertility” has already been made; it may also be absent due to more trivial reasons: a cold, runny nose, overwork.
3. Changes in the basal temperature chart
This method is one of the most reliable, as it takes into account the unconditional factor of ovulation, which is always present, namely an increase basal temperature. It should be measured over three full cycles, after which analysis of the information will show the normal temperature and how it changes during ovulation. The measurements themselves are not difficult to carry out, but to create for them suitable conditions- much more difficult.
The basal temperature indicator will be correct only if it is measured after 6 hours of sleep (more is possible, less is not possible) while still in bed. Measurements must be taken every day of the cycle; 1-2 missed days can significantly affect the schedule.
When ovulation occurs, the temperature rises by a few tenths of a degree, and as long as it remains there is a chance to make a successful attempt to conceive a child. Usually, throughout the cycle it stays within 36.7 - 36.9 degrees, and during ovulation it rises to 37.2 - 37.3. Basal temperature provides clearer information than monitoring discharge or emotional state.
Advantages of the method:
- High information content.
- A clear definition of the time of the egg release process.
The only expense that needs to be made to create a schedule is the purchase of a special electronic thermometer - it is inexpensive and will last a long time. And some doctors believe that electronic thermometers often lie due to a hypersensitive reaction from contact with the walls of the anus - after all, it is quite difficult to always maintain the same angle, and failure occurs. Therefore, they recommend using a regular mercury thermometer for measurements - however, it is more difficult to handle in bed, you need to be careful not to crush it.
Disadvantage of the method can be called unexpected results of temperature changes due to the following factors:
- Alcohol intoxication.
- Sexual contact less than 3-4 hours before temperature measurement.
- Infectious diseases with general increase body temperature.
- Inflammatory process in the genitourinary system.
- Failure in the daily routine, due to which there is a decrease or a strong increase in sleep duration.
- Temperature changes in the room - both extreme cold and heat.
- Starting or stopping taking hormonal medications.
Having learned about any of these factors, you should mark the questionable result in the graph (for example, in a different color) and not take this data into account.
4. Changes in the position and density of the cervix
With increased fertility, the cervix rises, becomes softer, more open; Other changes also occur that are not noticeable without special inspection. At home, you can recognize the changes that have begun by the swollen and more elastic inner labia.
Dignity The method is that the cervix changes in any case, and therefore even the absence of cervical fluid cannot mislead you.
Flaw is that the position of the cervix can be influenced various diseases, besides, to recognize changes, you need some practice and the ability to feel your body.
5. Soreness and hardening of the mammary glands
Preparing for the release of an egg automatically means preparing for a potential pregnancy, and therefore the body produces the necessary in this case hormones that will ensure the fusion of sperm and egg and the formation of a zygote. The release of hormones that occurs before ovulation also affects the condition of the breasts - touching them becomes painful, the nipples become a little rougher. If you know how to listen to your own body well, this condition will definitely not go unnoticed.
Advantage of the method- determined quickly, without additional time and money.
Flaw- inaccurate, since breast soreness and hardening of the nipples are also observed during menstruation, during cycle failure, and hormonal imbalances.
6. Ovulation test
Its principle is similar to a pregnancy test, only it determines not hCG, but a different set of hormones, showing exactly when ovulation occurs. Having calculated what week you are supposed to start ovulating, you will need to do a test once a day during this period - just drop urine on a strip.
Advantages method:
- The test shows the onset of ovulation, regardless of the presence or absence of cervical discharge, swelling of the labia, and so on.
- It does not require lengthy inconvenient measurements and charting, as in the case of basal temperature - it takes at most 5 minutes a day, and then for a week, and not several cycles in a row.
Flaws method:
- The test kit is quite expensive; for one cycle you will need such test strips for 15-20 dollars, or even more. If you calculate the costs for the year, it will be a considerable amount.
- Irregular ovulation requires large quantity test kits.
- The test, despite its accuracy, can be deceived - there are a number of reasons why the level of the lutein hormone changes regardless of ovulation (for example, polycystic ovary syndrome). But in this case, the test will reveal the disease.
Sometimes ovulation is also determined by painful pulling sensations in the lower abdomen - they are similar to those that appear during menstruation, but are weaker. Observation of own body and the use of at least one of the methods listed above will allow you to determine when ovulation begins and plan your pregnancy.
What is an ovulation calendar and what should it look like? How to correctly use an ovulation calendar when planning a pregnancy.
Ovulation is a process in female body, in which a change in hormonal levels occurs, causing the ovary to release an egg. This happens once during one menstrual cycle. To monitor such processes, women use a special calendar.
More modern families take the issues of planning pregnancy and childbirth seriously. To calculate days female cycle When the likelihood of getting pregnant is higher, an ovulation calendar is used. In this way, the exact date of egg maturation is determined. During the day before ovulation and two more days after it, the probability of conception will be maximum.
The lifespan of an egg on average lasts from 12 to 36 hours. However, sperm are tenacious. When ovulation occurs, they can already expect an egg, if sexual intercourse took place the day before. Therefore, the ideal time to conceive is a couple of days during one menstrual cycle.
Some people use ovulation calendars for the opposite purpose, so that on other days they do not use protection during sexual intercourse. However, gynecologists do not advise using such contraception. Even if a woman has a stable menstrual cycle, there is still a risk of ovulation shifting by a couple of days in one direction or another.
Ovulation is a process that occurs once every menstrual cycle. A woman becomes pregnant only if sperm fertilizes an egg. Typically, this occurs 12–16 days before the onset of menstruation.
Ovulation processes and their role in pregnancy
During ovulation, the following processes occur in the body:
- How the deadline is getting closer ovulation, the more production female hormone estrogen. This causes thickening of the uterine mucosa and creates a favorable environment for sperm.
- An increase in estrogen levels leads to an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH). Therefore, the ovary releases a mature egg. This is ovulation.
- Typically, ovulation occurs 24–36 hours after the LH surge occurs. LH is an indicator of peak fertility.
- Fertilization is possible within 24 hours from the moment of ovulation. Otherwise, rejection of the uterine mucosa occurs. Then comes menstruation.
- The cycle repeats.
Alternatives to calendar definition
In addition to keeping a calendar, there are other ways to determine ovulation.
Tests
Tests react to increased content LH in urine. Two bars indicate that ovulation will occur within 24–48 hours. If a woman wants to get pregnant, then it is important to use this time correctly.
Basal temperature
To measure basal temperature, you need to measure rectal body temperature every day in the morning, even before the woman gets up. To ensure the accuracy of the research, you will still have to keep a calendar. It is necessary to measure the temperature from the first day of the cycle. If the temperature drops, this indicates that you are ovulating. If it increases, this means that the second phase of the cycle has begun.
How to determine the day for conception using the ovulation calendar?
There are two options for maintaining a calendar:
- Tabletop (paper).
- Using programs, services and applications.
A paper calendar was used when it was not possible to use programs. Among its shortcomings are noted:
- You won't be able to add additional information.
- Easily lost or damaged.
- You will have to calculate the onset of ovulation yourself. And without special knowledge it will be difficult. There is a possibility of confusion.
All you can do with such a calendar is keep records. monthly cycle based on 28 days, taking into account that ovulation occurs 12–16 days before the start of the next cycle.
The use of programs and services simplifies calendar maintenance and allows you to much more accurately calculate the processes in the female body. Make notes about:
- Emotional background.
- Sexual contacts.
- Discharges.
It is advisable to enter information about the slightest changes in the body, for example:
- The beginning of the menstrual cycle, the nature and intensity of discharge.
- Loads. Sports (weightlifting and competitive cycling) lead to heavy bleeding, and also cause the extension of the discharge period.
- Nutrition. Eating foods that are too fatty or spicy will affect your hormonal background and will lead to strong discharge.
- Sexual contact. During the cycle, information about sexual contacts and whether they were protected is required.
- Intermenstrual discharge: its color, smell, thickness and frequency. Such discharge is cervical mucus. Appears in the middle of the cycle, before ovulation begins.
- Emotional condition. Before ovulation begins, women usually experience an increase in libido, a feeling of tenderness and good mood. In the second half of the cycle, women are irritable, whiny and apathetic.
- For greater accuracy, enter information about basal temperature.
Preliminary calculations
A woman is able to independently produce preliminary calculations without using special calendars.
To do this, it is enough to know that the cycle lasts 28 days, and ovulation occurs 12–16 days before the start of the cycle. Accordingly, if a woman remembers when she had her period, she can easily make preliminary calculations.
How to find out your day for pregnancy: drawing up a calendar
It can be difficult to accurately calculate the date of conception. On average, the entire pregnancy period from conception to birth lasts 38 weeks or 266 days. But the exact date of conception is in most cases unknown. Therefore in obstetric practice The countdown is from the last menstruation. It is approximately 40 weeks or 280 days.
Phases of the female cycle
The female cycle consists of two main phases:
- Before ovulation.
- Before menstruation.
They are used to determine the date of birth of the child.
What day is ovulation counted from?
Ovulation and subsequent fertilization usually occurs two weeks after the start of the cycle (average 12–16 days). All ultrasound equipment works on this trailer. Accordingly, if a woman is 4 weeks late, the doctor will report that she is in the eighth week of pregnancy. Although in fact the woman will only be pregnant for 6 weeks. This difference appears because the count is from the last menstruation, and not from the pregnancy itself. 
Calculation of days
Knowing approximately the date of the last menstruation, the date of birth of the child is calculated. 280 days pass from the last menstrual period to childbirth (counted from the first day of menstruation).
It is important to consider that in practice, only 5% of all children are born strictly on the estimated day. About 85% are born a week early or a week late. And the remaining 10% may be in a hurry or late for another week. Accordingly, the month when the baby is born is more or less accurately calculated. They also calculate the day when this approximately occurs. The closer this day is, the higher the probability of birth.
Calculation for three cycles
The calculation is carried out according to three parameters:
- Date of last menstruation. The first day of the cycle is taken.
- Average duration of the last three cycles.
- Average duration of the second phase. You can find out by measuring basal temperature or using ultrasound.
Online table for conception by ovulation: features
Using an online calendar is easier than using a regular one. It independently calculates the likely days when ovulation occurs. A woman needs to enter information about when her period occurs.
The calendar also determines the days before expected ovulation. At this time, the likelihood of getting pregnant is also high. This is due to the fact that male sperm live in the uterine cavity for 3–4 days and are quite suitable for fertilization.
In addition, the calendar helps determine the date of donating blood and urine for testing for the hCG hormone (pregnancy hormone). The main problem is that if a woman irregular cycle, then it will be difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to determine exactly when she should ovulate using a calendar.
In this way, it will not be possible to determine the gender of the unborn child (in order to conceive a girl or a boy) using a calendar.
Ovulation chart for conception
One of the main purposes of the table is considered to be planning the conception of a child. It occurs only on certain days of the month: during ovulation, two days before it begins, and two days after. According to some studies, they not only determine favorable period for conception, but also, by controlling when this conception occurs, they choose the gender of the unborn child.
Girls
The choice of the sex of the child is based on the behavior of the X and Y chromosomes. Based on research, scientists were able to establish that the sperm from which girls are born (carriers of X chromosomes) are slow, but at the same time tenacious. They stay in the uterus for 2–4 days without any problems, calmly waiting for ovulation. Accordingly, the period a couple of days before the start of ovulation is best suited for conceiving a girl.
Boys
With Y chromosome carriers the opposite is true. They are mobile, but their lifespan is shorter. Therefore, for boys, conception is more suitable at the time of ovulation or immediately after it.
It is important to understand that such calculations are approximate planning for the sex of the child. Y chromosomes are less tenacious and more mobile, but this does not mean that they cannot fertilize an egg before ovulation. Also, when conceiving during or after ovulation, there is a high probability that the female sperm will reach the egg faster.
Possibility of error
All errors are associated primarily with an unstable menstrual cycle. This may shift the timing of ovulation in one direction or another. This interferes both with determining the appropriate period for pregnancy and with determining when sexual intercourse is possible without contraception.
You should not make calculations manually. There are many services that can do this more accurately.
With the help of an ovulation calendar, each woman independently calculates her cycle. Therefore, menstruation will not take her by surprise. In addition, she will know exactly on which days she can get pregnant and on which days she cannot. If you have an unstable cycle, an ultrasound scan or consultation with a doctor will help.
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Signs of ovulation may vary: some have all the symptoms and all the tests work, while others do not. However, here is a list of the main methods.
1. Changing the properties and nature of discharge
This is the easiest way to determine the onset of ovulation. If you have increased cervical mucus (clear or white, odorless fluid), then ovulation has begun or will begin soon.
2. Increased sexual desire
This is how everything is inherent in our nature: when a woman is “ready” to conceive, her sexual desire intensifies. This is explained by changes in hormonal levels.
But the method is rarely used as a base method, because other factors can influence attraction or lack thereof.
3. Changes in the basal temperature (BT) chart
This is one of the most accurate methods available at home. An increase in basal temperature always accompanies ovulation. To obtain reliable statistics, the temperature should be measured over 3-4 cycles. Enter the data into a table (it will then be easy to use it to present a BT chart).
The difficulty is that basal temperature must be measured under certain conditions: at about 7 am immediately after sleep (it is important that it is at least 6 hours), while lying in bed. You cannot skip days (the most important ones are +/-5 days around the expected date of ovulation). The measurement time should be approximately the same from day to day (the difference should not exceed half an hour). The thermometer should be inserted into the rectal opening for 5-10 minutes.
When the egg leaves the ovary, the temperature rises by 0.4°-0.5°. And at this jump there is good chance successful conception.
Basal temperature chart. Ideally, the graph should show a clear separation of the two phases: first 36.3°-36.8°, then a rise above 37°. And this temperature remains until the onset of menstruation, and then drops again.
Attention! A vague, subtle increase in temperature or its absence may indicate problems with ovulation.
If there were any factors influencing BT that day, then they also need to be included in the schedule.
Examples of factors:
- sleep less than 5-6 hours;
- illness;
- taking medications;
- sexual intercourse shortly before measuring BT;
- alcohol intoxication;
- taking or stopping hormonal medications.
The schedule will also be affected by trips to places with different climates. In this case, the data will not be reliable for use for conception planning or safe sex days.
Days favorable for conception and days for safe sex
Days safe for unprotected sex and suitable for conception, are calculated after you have determined ovulation based on BBT measurements over 3-4 cycles.
Favorable for conception: the period starting 3-4 days before ovulation and ending 1-2 days after ovulation. Moreover, if ovulation is in different periods Was in different days, then you need to take the “extreme” dates and carry out calculations with them. For example, you ovulated on both the 13th and 16th days of your cycle. Then the greatest chance of getting pregnant will be from the 9th (13-4=9) to the 18th (16+2=18) days of the cycle. On other days, sex will be considered conditionally safe (“conditionally” - because anything can happen, you can get pregnant even after sex during your period).
The method of this determination is not reliable: too many factors may not be taken into account.
4. Changes in the body
Breast tenderness
This is not a basic sign, but it can still indicate the onset of ovulation. The fact is that the body begins to prepare for the fertilization of the egg and potential pregnancy. Hormonal levels change, which affects the condition of the breast.
Changes in the position and density of the cervix
When the body is “ready” to fertilize an egg, the cervix changes, becoming more open and soft. There are other changes that are noticeable when examined by a gynecologist. A woman can feel these changes by the swollen inner labia.
The method is not accurate, as the changes may be caused by some diseases.
Painful sensations in the lower abdomen
At the beginning of ovulation you may feel slight nagging pain lower abdomen (weaker than during menstruation). If you “read” your body well, then this can be one of the methods to confirm the onset of ovulation.
These tests are commercially available at different types: test strip (a set of 5 pieces costs from 100 rubles), a test tablet (5 pieces - from 350 rubles), a disposable inkjet express test, portable reusable tests and electronic tests. In pharmacies you can most often find tests from companies Frautest, Eviplan And Clearblue.
An ovulation test is carried out in the same way as a pregnancy test: you need to drop urine onto a strip. The indicator will work increased level luteinizing hormone (LH).
Tests should be carried out in the week in which you are expected to ovulate.
The advantage of the method is that it does not require any charting or measurements of basal temperature over several cycles.
Ovulation is the so-called X day, which is eagerly awaited by many couples who want to conceive a baby as quickly as possible. This day can be calculated and determined independently or with the help of specialists.
You can get pregnant only on certain days of the cycle, about seven of them in one month. For most young girls this is real news! It turns out that not everything is as simple as it seemed during my student years.
Every woman should have an idea of what ovulation is. For some, this is an opportunity to get pregnant quickly, for others, on the contrary, to avoid unwanted motherhood. In the second case, you should not rely only on calculations; you should always use additional methods contraception.
During ovulation, an egg (and in rare cases more than one) is released from an ovarian follicle in anticipation of a sperm for fertilization. If conception does not occur, the egg dies and the next period begins. And so on from month to month. Critical days replace ovulation and vice versa, this happens from the moment of puberty until the onset of menopause.
Conception occurs if, during ovulation (plus or minus a few days), sexual intercourse occurs and the most active sperm reaches its goal. Why are several days favorable for fertilization, and not one, the day of ovulation itself? The fact is that sperm can live in the female body for several days, traveling through the fallopian tubes. Therefore, theoretically, you can get pregnant on the second or third day after intercourse. Here you are, say, driving, and you don’t know what happened at that very second an important event! By the way, knowing this principle, you can try to guess the gender of the child.
Whether you get a boy or a girl depends entirely on your man. The fact is that a woman always has an X chromosome, but a man either has an X or a Y. With a combination of XX, the result is a girl, and with XY, a boy. Each sperm contains both chromosomes, but one is initially more pronounced than the other. In simple words can be formulated this way - each sperm carries a feminine or masculine principle.
“Male” sperm reach their goal faster, and “female” sperm, in turn, live much longer. This means that in order to become pregnant with a girl, sexual intercourse is necessary 2-3 days before ovulation. During this time, the “male” sperm will die, giving way to the “female” ones. But for a boy, it’s better to wait just until day X. The boys will shoot ahead, overtaking the girls and trying to reach the goal as quickly as possible. It is clear that there is no 100% guarantee, but still the chances of getting the desired gender increase significantly if you adhere to these rules.
Do you want a boy, a girl, or just get pregnant and give birth? healthy baby, it all comes down to one thing - you need to determine favorable time for conception. This can be done both at home and with the help of specialists. In addition, the body itself can tell you that it is ready for fertilization.
Signs of ovulation
It will be news to some, but ovulation is often accompanied by certain signs, although in many women it is asymptomatic. Some of them you can notice on your own:
- Change in the nature of discharge. They become somewhat more plentiful, with a consistency reminiscent of a raw egg.
- Increased sexual desire. This is how nature cleverly planned for the continuation of the human race.
- Sensitivity in the chest area, even possible painful sensations. This occurs due to a hormonal surge during ovulation.
- During ovulation, the stomach pulls on the right or left. This is explained by the release of the egg from the right or left ovary.
- Increase in basal temperature.
- Changes in the cervix. It softens a little and opens slightly, hence the change in the nature of the discharge.
- A surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). Due to this, mature eggs are released.
A woman can notice the first four signs on her own, but the last three only with the help of specialists or special devices.
In rare cases, women experience anovulation - the absence of ovulation as such, a disruption of the menstrual cycle. In case the couple for a long time cannot conceive a child, the first step is to prescribe an ultrasound to track the progress of ovulation.
How to determine ovulation
If a woman does not have pain during ovulation, she may not even know that she is now ready to conceive. Discharge during ovulation also does not necessarily have to be unique for everyone and in each cycle. And a change in sexual desire is quite a subjective sign. Therefore, there are a number of ways to determine ovulation at home or with the help of doctors.
Ovulation calendar
So, we take the most ordinary calendar, in which the start and end dates are fixed for several months critical days, and so on for at least six months.
First, based on these data, you need to calculate the length of the cycle, that is, the number of days between the first days of menstruation in two months in a row. We subtract 14 from the resulting indicator and get the day of ovulation. For example, if the cycle is consistently 28 days, then ovulation will occur on the 14th day of the cycle. From here it becomes clear why calculating the day of ovulation is possible only for girls with regular cycle. If it constantly jumps, and in one month it is 27 days, in another 35, then it is difficult to predict how many days it will have in the next month.
Ovulation tests
Nowadays there are not only pregnancy tests on sale, but also ovulation tests. Unlike the former, they respond to an increase in LH, and not hCG.
Tests should begin to be done a few days before expected ovulation, since the hormone begins to rise 1-2 days before the egg leaves the ovary.
Unlike a pregnancy test, ovulation tests have some nuances that should be taken into account to ensure the results are as accurate as possible:
- Morning urine is not suitable! The optimal interval for collecting urine is from 10-00 to 20-00.
- You do not need to drink any liquids for 4 hours before the test.
- You should refrain from going to the toilet for 2 hours.
- Read the instructions carefully! Each type of test has its own nuances. Somewhere you need to collect urine, somewhere on the contrary, it’s enough to place it under the stream.
There are more expensive tests that can detect ovulation using saliva rather than urine.
Basal temperature measurement
It is necessary to measure the temperature in the rectum the next morning immediately after sleep. On the day of ovulation it should increase. Based on the data, you can even create your own ovulation calendar, and if you keep it for several months, you can try to make a forecast for the future. However, again, it will only be accurate for girls with a constant and regular cycle.
It should be borne in mind that the temperature may jump slightly in case of illness, restless and short sleep (less than 6 hours), taking alcoholic drinks or medications the day before. When measuring temperature, this feature of the body must be taken into account!
After the critical days and before ovulation, the temperature has slight fluctuations - approximately 36.6 - 36.9. But immediately after ovulation, its values exceed the reading of 37 degrees.
In order to get the most accurate results when measuring, it is necessary to measure the temperature with one thermometer and equal conditions– at the same time after a restful, long sleep.
Medical diagnosis
Usually, doctors can determine ovulation of the ovary during examination in the gynecological chair. As already mentioned, on this day the cervix visually changes, softening and opening slightly.
To confirm ovulation, a woman may be sent for an ultrasound. With the help of modern equipment, diagnosticians are able to determine whether ovulation has occurred, and if so, at what stage it is.
Typically, medical diagnosis is carried out after unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant for a long time. You should start coming for an ultrasound on the 10th day after your period. So that experts can track growth dominant follicle in the ovary, you will have to come several times until the diameter of the follicle is about 20 cm. Then it will rupture and another egg will be released, ready for fertilization. During this period it will be possible to see on the screen corpus luteum, located in the ovary without a follicle.
Some nuances you should know
First of all, this will be of interest to women who calculate ovulation for contraception purposes. As already said, this method highly doubtful. There are millions of examples unwanted pregnancies, which occurred thanks to blind numbers. Therefore, in order not to think about the moral side of abortions, which are officially permitted in our country, it is better to play it safe and always use additional ways contraception. Some people have been trying to conceive a baby for years, while others succeed unexpectedly and on the first try. You should not play this roulette if you are not ready to become parents.
There are several other factors working against calendar method. It turns out, paradoxical as it may sound, if a woman does not have regular sex life, her chances of pregnancy are much higher! At the very first sexual intercourse, unscheduled ovulation may occur - the body will not want to miss such a rare opportunity. After all, nature created a woman to procreate.
Having sex during menstruation is considered safe. Indeed, during this period the environment is quite unfavorable for sperm and they die earlier than usual. However, if a woman has an irregular ovulation cycle, then there is still a chance of getting pregnant. If sexual intercourse took place in last days menstruation, and ovulation occurs earlier than usual, there is a chance that sperm will wait for the egg in the fallopian tubes.
Children are our joy, we have them for a long time and happy life. Therefore, the issue of pregnancy should be approached very responsibly, planning it in advance and creating appropriate conditions for the unborn baby. Remember that unloved and unwanted children always feel their attitude towards them, growing up angry and distrustful of the world around them.
Let's summarize
So, ovulation is a process in a woman’s body that signals that she is ready to conceive. It should be calculated and determined by other methods for couples who want to have a baby in the near future. It is useless to do this as contraception; it is better not to skimp and use other methods.
Video " Symptoms of ovulation - 8 main signs"
Fertility knowledge plays a very important role in order to consciously plan to conceive a child. On what basis can a woman’s fertile days be determined?
When a woman is able to give birth.
A woman is only able to give birth 4% of the time in her life. A woman's ability to bear children begins after about 12-15 years, and ends at about 50 years. During this time, the woman is mostly infertile, except for a few days in each menstrual cycle during which eggs are released from the ovary. Based on this, we can determine the time of women's fertility.
Prediction of menstruation.
The menstrual cycle, which begins with monthly bleeding and ends on the last day before the next bleeding, is divided into three stages:
- Phase of relative infertility. The length of this stage is not constant (hence the name), since in the case of short monthly cycles, egg maturation begins early enough that a woman may be fertile at the end of her period. If the cycle is normal (or the interval between periods is approximately 28 days), then this stage is known to be a period of infertility.
- Fertility phase. At this stage, ovulation follows, or the egg matures and is released from the ovary. The egg released from the ovary can live for up to 24 hours, so conception can only occur within those 24 hours. However, considering the fact that sperm can live in the uterine lining even after 3-5 days on average, therefore, the fertile period can begin as early as 5 days before the release of the egg (called ovulation). Even after ovulation, a woman can become pregnant within 3-4 days.
- Infertility phase. This period is established, as a rule, lasts 14 days. Start from the day the egg dies until your next period begins. Given the invariability of this period, a woman can determine on what day ovulation may occur. If you subtract 14 days from the expected date of menstruation, you can get the day of ovulation, that is, the day on which a woman can become pregnant. For example, if a woman's monthly bleeding occurs on December 20, this means that ovulation should occur on December 6. Taking into account the viability of sperm, 5 days before December 6, and for 3-4 days after December 6, you should abstain from sexual relations to avoid pregnancy.
Monitoring cervical mucus.
After the end of the menstrual cycle, in most cases, the cervix is enveloped in a plug of thick mucus, which can also be used to determine the day of conception. How does mucus mature? It starts out cloudy and sticky, but gradually turns into a more elastic, crisp, and slippery texture. In addition, its quantity increases. The woman feels wet. Finally, the mucus becomes similar to raw egg white. This is fertile mucus. The process of mucus changing from the time it begins until it becomes protein-like chicken egg, takes about 6 days. After ovulation, the egg from the ovary enters the fallopian tube. This mucus is necessary to maintain the viability of sperm. Sperm can live in it from 3 to 5 days, without it they die after 3 hours. By using the mucus monitoring method, the days of ovulation can be determined more accurately than with the method based on menstruation prediction. With this method, there is no need to abstain from relationships after expected ovulation, and careful examination of the mucus allows the woman to accurately determine the day of ovulation.
Measuring body temperature.
Immediately after ovulation, progesterone levels clearly rise, which in turn causes an increase in body temperature. Sudden jump temperature means that the production of hormones has begun, and this is a herald of ovulation. Transition temperature, according to at least by 0.2 degrees Celsius (two lines per thermometer), occurring just after ovulation. This period is called the infertility phase. The temperature drops again at the end of the cycle at the beginning of the next menstruation.
Women should measure their body temperature every morning, at the same time, immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed, at empty stomach. This is called core body temperature. Women working at night take their temperature after at least 3 hours of rest in a supine position at the same time.
Other signs of fertility.
There are others additional symptoms accompanying ovulation. Some of them occur in some women. These include:
- breast enlargement, nipple sensitivity;
- pain in one side or the other of the lower abdomen;
- ovulation with accompaniment bloody discharge, as evidenced by the appearance of a small admixture of blood in the mucus.
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