What is ovulation and ovulation period?
Ovulation is the release of an egg (and sometimes more than just one) from the ovary which is pushed down the fallopian tube. This part of the menstrual cycle is the fertile time. It occurs periodically, each month around the 14th day in case of a regular 28-day menstrual cycle. Around this time, the egg is capable of being fertilized for 12 to 48 hours before it begins to disintegrate. Therefore your chances of conceiving are during these few hours the highest. If no conception occurs, the uterine lining together with the unfertilized egg and blood will be shed. This is the time of menstruation. Ovulation does not necessarily have to rotate between ovaries each cycle. The ovulation timing is very complex and you have to take some studying of your body and your cycles to figure it out. You can calculate your ovulation time by using a combination of various methods such as studying cervical fluid, tracking your periods, marking your body temperature, buying an ovulation predictor kit, listening to your body, etc.
Key facts about ovulation
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- Usually only one egg is released each ovulation time.
- Ovulation can be affected by external factors such as illness, stress or routines disruption.
- Some women may experience some light blood spotting during ovulation.
- A menstrual period can occur even if ovulation has not occurred.
- An ovulation can occur even if a menstrual period has not occurred.
- The average time of egg is 12-24 hours after leaving the ovary.
- If an egg is not fertilized, it is disintegrated and absorbed into the uterine lining.
- Some women can feel a bit of pain or aching near the ovaries during ovulation.
- A fertilized egg implementation normally takes place 6-12 hours after ovulation.
- Each woman is born with millions of immature eggs.
Ovulation signs - symptoms
It is not difficult to notice the ovulation signs once you know what to watch out for. Some ovulation symptoms can tell you that ovulation is coming and if you would like to get pregnant, it is the right time to have unprotected sex. Other signs can let you know that ovulation has passed. There are many methods how to figure out all the needed information about the stage of ovulation, but we recommend you not to use all of them, just choose two or three which you like the most. If you do not have any signs of menstruation or ovulation you should print out your saved data from your menstrual and ovulation calendar and visit a doctor. This data can help to diagnose your possible pregnancy and / or an actual pregnancy stage.
There can be several ovulation signs also called symptoms but as was written above, you do not need to check all of them. Just pick several which you like most and are comfortable with. The most common ovulation signs are:
- Basal Body Temperature ‒ A sign noticed just after ovulation. A slight rise in basal body temperature, typically 1/2 to 1 degrees, measured by a thermometer. When your temperature rises sharply, it means you have ovulated and your body has released an egg.
- Changes in vaginal discharge ‒ The production of cervical mucus will increase and the texture changes before ovulation and right around ovulation you can notice egg white looking mucus.
- The cervix position is high and soft ‒ If you are checking your cervix it will feel high, soft and more open around the time of ovulation. It will be more difficult to reach during ovulation.
- Hormone level ‒ Higher levels of luteinizing hormone measured by the help of a home urine test.
- Increased sexual desire ‒ You may be more interested in sex or be more easily aroused around the time of ovulation.
- Moodiness or increased energy ‒ Women may have mood swings around the time of ovulation. Some women may feel a boost of energy prior to ovulation.
- Light spotting ‒ It is considered as a fertility sign.
- Abdominal bloating ‒ Many women may retain water or be bloated around this time.
- Tender breasts and nipples ‒ Sometimes women can notice breast tenderness or other premenstrual symptoms around the ovulation time.
- Slight abdomen aches or pain ‒ Many women may feel achiness or cramping around the ovulation time.
- Swollen vulva or vagina ‒ Your labia or vagina may become full and more sensitive.
- Heightened senses ‒ Some women say that they feel they have a heightened sense of smell and taste around the ovulation time.
Some women can have less common ovulation signs or symptoms such as:
- Nausea or headaches ‒ Some women are sensitive to hormonal changes and may have nausea or headaches before ovulation.
- Ovulation spotting ‒ Sometimes women notice light spotting around the ovulation time.
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