The Healthy Temple

A woman’s monthly cycle is measured from the first day of her menstrual period until the first day of her next period. On average, a woman’s cycle normally is between 28-32 days, but some women may have much shorter cycles or much longer ones. Ovulation can be calculated by starting with the day the last menstrual period (LMP) starts or by calculating 12-16 days from the next expected period. Most women ovulate anywhere between Day 11 - Day 21 of their cycle, counting from the first day of the LMP. This is what many refer to as the “fertile time” of a woman’s cycle, because sexual intercourse during this time increases the chance of pregnancy. Ovulation can occur at various times during a cycle, and may occur on a different day each month.
About a fifth of all women experience lower abdominal pain, known as mittelschmerz, when ovulation occurs. Breast tenderness or discomfort is also common. Most women have a vaginal discharge that is clear and somewhat elastic (try stretching it between two fingers) in the days leading up to ovulation. Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) detect the LH surge that precedes release of the egg, while charting your basal body temperature (BBT) can show you when ovulation has occurred.
Facts: For tying-to-conceive couples, here are the facts that are important when it comes to predicting ovulation and timing intercourse to achieve a pregnancy.
• First, the ovum or egg must be fertilized within a 12-24 hour time window after being discharged from the ovary (follicle). After 24 hours, the egg simply disintegrates and conception is no longer viable.
• Typically, one ovum is discharged each menstrual cycle at ovulation. However, more than one egg can be released, and there is some debate currently on if it is possible to ovulate twice during a single cycle.
more than one egg can be released, and there is some debate currently on if it is possible to ovulate twice during a single cycle.
• The regularity of ovulation (and the menstrual cycle more generally) can be impacted by diet, insomnia, stress, sickness or jet lag. Hormonal balance is important to regular ovulation.
• If an egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, conception has taken place. However, for a pregnancy to be initiated, the fertilized egg must implant in the womb. Implantation occurs about a week after you ovulate, after the cells of the embryo have multiplied/developed to a certain point.