If you are facing issues with conception, your gynaecologist may ask you to track your ovulation period or your fertile window. But these words mean nothing to you if you've never encountered them before. Fret not because this article will discuss all about ovulation and teach you how to know when your fertile window is.
What is Ovulation?
The ovulation period is the time when the egg releases from your ovary and may or may not become fertilised by a sperm.
If the egg does get fertilised, it will travel to the uterus and implant itself to develop into a pregnancy. On the other hand, if the egg is unfertilised, then it will disintegrate and the uterine lining will shed during your period.
Understanding how your ovulation period and the cycle work is crucial, as it helps to better plan a pregnancy. It can also be a key to understanding if you are suffering from any underlying medical conditions.
When Does Ovulation Occur?
Most girls begin to menstruate between the age of 10 and 15 years. This is the time when they begin to ovulate and can also conceive.
On average, a woman's menses last anywhere between 28 and 32 days. This is referred to as the ovulation cycle, and the start of each cycle is considered to be the first day of menses. The egg is released generally 12 to 16 days before the next period is due, which is known as the ovulation period.
Meanwhile, your fertile window or the period where it is most likely for you to conceive is the five days leading to the start of your ovulation period, plus the day of ovulation and the day after ovulation. For those who are planning to have a baby, these are the days to plan sexual intercourse with your partner.
Women reach the menopause stage between the age of 50 and 51 years, which is when ovulation typically stops. But even in the perimenopausal or menopausal transition period, ovulation can take place.
How Long Does the Ovulation Period Last
After the egg has been produced by the ovary, it travels to the fallopian tube where it waits to be fertilised by a sperm. Take note that an egg only survives 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, before the body reabsorbs it. So if you are planning to get pregnant, these 24 hours are crucial to conceive.
Ovulation Symptoms: How to Detect When You Are Ovulating
Knowing the signs of fertility and ovulation can be helpful for those trying to conceive or those who want to understand their menstrual cycle better. While these signs can vary from person to person, here are some common indicators that you may be fertile or ovulating.
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Changes in cervical mucus
Around ovulation, cervical mucus becomes thinner, clearer, and more slippery, resembling raw egg whites. This facilitates sperm movement and indicates fertile days.
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Increased basal body temperature
After ovulation, basal body temperature (BBT) typically rises due to an increase in progesterone levels. Tracking your BBT over several cycles can help identify when ovulation occurs. According to medical experts, women are generally most fertile for 2 to 3 days before the temperature reaches its maximum
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Pelvic pain
Some individuals may experience mild pelvic pain or twinges on one side of the abdomen during ovulation. This discomfort, known as mittelschmerz, can provide a clue that you're ovulating. This pain may last between a few minutes and a few hours.
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Breast tenderness
Hormonal changes during ovulation may cause breast sensitivity or tenderness. This symptom usually subsides after a few days.
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Increased sex drive
Hormonal shifts during ovulation can increase libido in some individuals. Feeling a surge in sexual desire may indicate that you're in your fertile window.
Remember, these signs are not foolproof indicators, and the only definitive way to confirm ovulation is through medical tests or fertility monitoring devices.
How Does An Ovulation Calendar Help
The ovulation calendar will help you to understand your most fertile period. This is an important tool to keep track of your cycle and also is key to understanding any irregularities.
How do I calculate my ovulation days?
Calculating your ovulation days can help you determine the most fertile period of your menstrual cycle. While the average cycle is 28 days, it's important to note that every woman is unique. Typically, there are approximately 6 days in each cycle when you have the highest chance of getting pregnant, known as your fertile window.
You can use an ovulation calculator to identify these days based on the length of your menstrual cycle.
Ovulation Calculator
There are several websites and apps that feature an ovulation calculator and actually help you keep track of your cycle easily. All you have to do is feed in the correct information such as the first and last day of your period, and some symptoms you may be experiencing the past days.
Here are some free websites or apps available in Singapore that offer ovulation calculators to assist you in determining your fertile window.
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Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore's Ovulation Calculator Website: Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore - Ovulation Calculator
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BabyCenter Website: BabyCenter - Ovulation Calculator
- ClearBlue: Ovulation Calculator
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Ovia Fertility Website: Ovia Fertility - App
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Flo Website: Flo - Period Tracker & Ovulation Calendar - App
Moreover, you can also download one of these apps on your partner's phone to help them know about your ovulation period if you're trying. However, best to track your ovulation for the first couple of months to get a more accurate prediction of your fertile window.
Ovulation Test Kits
You can also buy ovulation predictor kits like the Presio Diagnostics Early Midstream Pregnancy Test Kitthat are now easily available at drug stores. Ovulation test kits work by detecting the luteinizing hormone (LH). A high level of LH indicates that you are ovulating or will be ovulating in a couple of days.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, when taken correctly, ovulation tests are approximately 99 per cent accurate in detecting ovulation.
Ovulation Period: The Phases To Track
The ovulation period is generally divided into three phases:
- Periovulatory: In this stage, the layer of cells around the ovum begins to become more like mucus and expand. The uterus lining also starts to thicken.
- Ovulatory phase: This is the phase when the egg releases from the dominant follicle within an ovary into the fallopian tube. The sperm can fertilise the egg at this stage.
Do note that the life span of a typical egg is only about 24 hours. Unless it meets a sperm during this time, it will die. This is the only time during a woman's menstruation cycle that a woman can become pregnant. So if you are planning to have a baby, you can improve your chances of getting pregnant if you know your fertile window.
- Luteal phase: A fertilised egg gets implanted into the womb, while the unfertilised egg will slowly stop producing hormones and dissolve within 24 hours. The lining of the uterus starts to break down and prepares to exit the body during menses.
How frequently do you need to have sex during the ovulation period?
In many cases, a couple can have sex once during the fertile window and is able to conceive. However, if you are actively trying to conceive, then you can better your chances by having sex every other day during the fertile window.
Note that the best time to get pregnant is in the two days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.
Do you still ovulate if you're on birth control?
No, if you're using birth control pills or other hormonal contraception correctly, ovulation should be suppressed. It's important to follow the prescribed instructions for pills, patches, IUDs, or other devices. The hormones in birth control methods work by preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to swim.
Can you ovulate but not get your period?
Yes, it is possible to ovulate without experiencing a regular menstrual period. While ovulating regularly typically corresponds with having regular periods, it's also possible to have a period without ovulating, and vice versa.[1] Keep in mind that if you are tracking your fertility, having regular ovulation and menstruation is generally expected, but individual variations can occur.
Why You're Not Ovulating Regularly
Having a regular ovulation cycle is essential for reproductive health. However, some factors can disrupt the regularity of ovulation. Here are common reasons why you may experience irregular ovulation.
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Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause a temporary interruption in ovulation. A missed period can be an early sign of pregnancy, while breastfeeding often delays the return of regular menstrual cycles.
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Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian failure can lead to irregular or absent ovulation. PCOS is characterized by enlarged ovaries containing fluid-filled follicles, while premature ovarian failure refers to the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40.
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Extreme Weight Changes and Exercise: Eating disorders, extreme weight loss, and excessive exercise can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body, leading to irregular periods and ovulation.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: PID, an infection of the reproductive organs, can cause irregular menstrual bleeding and affect ovulation.
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Uterine Fibroids: Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy and prolonged menstrual periods, leading to irregular ovulation.
If you're experiencing irregular ovulation or have concerns about your menstrual cycle, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can help identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment options.
4 Common Types of Ovulation Disorders
Often issues with ovulation can lead to infertility or difficulty in conceiving. So watch out for some of these common ovulation disorders.
1. Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine (hormonal) disorder affecting young women. It is estimated that up to 10 per cent of women in Singapore may have PCOS.
Women with PCOS may often but not always have multiple cysts in their ovaries or have hormonal imbalances such as excess androgens (male hormones) and insulin resistance.
It can manifest with a wide variety of symptoms, and many may not be aware of their condition and go undiagnosed. Some of them include obesity, acne and abnormal hair growth. It is also one of the leading causes of infertility in women.
2. Premature ovarian insufficiency
Egg production stops prematurely in this condition. It will lead to a drop in estrogen levels and mostly affects women before the age of 40 years.
There can be several reasons behind it such as genetic abnormalities, environmental toxins or an autoimmune disease.
3. Hyperprolactinemia
In some scenarios, due to the use of certain medications or abnormality in the pituitary gland (which produces hormones), women can produce excessive amounts of prolactin. It can also cause a reduction in estrogen. This is a less common cause of ovulatory dysfunction.
4. Hypothalamic dysfunction
This is a condition where the production of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) gets disrupted. These are the two prominent hormones that stimulate ovulation and can affect the menstrual cycle.
Some causes of hypothalamic dysfunction include emotional and physical stress, and excessively high or low body weight. Sometimes, excessive exercise, low body weight and tumours can also lead to hypothalamic dysfunction.
Diagnosing ovulation disorders is super important if you're having trouble getting pregnant or your periods are all over the place. Luckily, there are a few ways doctors can figure out what's going on.
One common method is keeping track of your menstrual cycles and looking out for any irregularities like missing periods or ones that come out of the blue. They might also do some blood tests to check hormone levels, like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
And don't forget about ultrasound exams! Those can help them get a good look at your ovaries and see how your follicles are developing. By using these different methods together, doctors can nail down what's up with your ovulation and figure out the best ways to treat it.
Remember, it's always a good idea to chat with a healthcare pro to get a full evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
Can You Induce Ovulation
If there is an abnormality in your ovulation, doctors may prescribe fertility drugs to treat the problem. Some common drugs which most doctors prescribe for ovulation include:
- Metformin: It's typically used by women with PCOS. It is to treat insulin resistance and increase the chances of ovulation.
- Bromocriptine: Doctors can recommend this medicine in case of hyperprolactinemia.
- Letrozole: It works temporarily by lowering a woman’s level of the hormone progesterone to stimulate ovum production.
- Clomid: This oral medication increases the pituitary secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), thus stimulating ovarian follicles.
But note that these fertility drugs can have side effects such as the following, and must only be taken upon the advice of your gynaecologist:
- Hot flushes
- Mood swings
- Abdominal pain
- Vaginal dryness
- Increased urination
If you have any doubts about your menstrual cycle, always consult a health practitioner. They can help track it better and advise on tests and medications if needed.
How to Improve Your Chances of Ovulation
If you're really keen on conceiving there are some healthy habits that you need to adopt and unhealthy habits that you need to give up.
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Lifestyle Changes: Make simple but effective lifestyle choices to boost your fertility. Adopt a fertility-boosting diet, maintain a healthy weight, and engage in regular exercise.
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Quit Harmful Substances: Give up smoking, marijuana, cocaine, and steroids, as they can negatively impact fertility in both men and women.
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Be Mindful of Medications: Certain prescription drugs can have adverse effects on fertility. Discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider, especially when starting new medications.
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Avoid Herbal Remedies: Some herbal preparations, such as St. John's wort, echinacea purpurea, and ginkgo biloba, may interfere with fertility. Exercise caution and consult with a healthcare professional before using herbal remedies.
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Treat Infections Promptly: Address vaginal or cervical infections promptly, as they can hinder sperm from reaching the uterus. Similarly, treat urinary tract infections promptly to prevent long-term fertility issues.
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Minimise Exposure to Toxins: Reduce exposure to toxins such as pesticides, chemical solvents, and dust, as they have been linked to fertility problems. Take precautions when working with these substances and maintain good ventilation in your environment.
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Keep It Cool: Avoid activities that increase the temperature in the genital area, such as hot tubs, saunas, and hot showers. Opt for loose-fitting clothing and avoid tight pants to keep the testicles cool for optimal sperm production.
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Maximise Lovemaking: Choose lubricants carefully or avoid them altogether, as some may hinder sperm movement. Avoid douching and try positions that allow for deep penetration during intercourse. After intercourse, consider lying still for 20 to 30 minutes to give sperm more time to reach the uterus.
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Manage Stress: Reduce stress levels by finding ways to relax and prioritise self-care. Consider practising relaxation techniques and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Remember, improving fertility is a journey unique to each individual. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice and guidance.
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