Her Highness Ovulation

What is ovulation?

Ovulation (or ovulation ) is a key stage of the menstrual cycle and the moment of greatest fertility (you can read more about the secrets of menstruation here ).

Menstruating people are born with about a million eggs (by puberty, when menstruation begins, there are about 400,000), but only one is typically released during ovulation.

In the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, follicles in the ovaries begin to grow under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogens. Eventually, one dominant follicle emerges from among them – the Graafian follicle. As it matures, it produces large amounts of estrogens, which leads to increased secretion of another hormone – luteinizing hormone (or LH hormone; this is when we experience its peak). This means that only hours separate the follicle from bursting and releasing the egg. This, ready for fertilization, goes to the fallopian tube, previously transported by its fimbriae.

Egg Release – What's Next?

The ruptured Graafian follicle fills with blood, creating a so-called hemorrhagic corpuscle. It then transforms into a corpus luteum, which produces progesterone, which is extremely important for conception (and during pregnancy).

Of course, there are two options – fertilization or no fertilization .

• If fertilization has occurred , the corpus luteum changes into the corpus gestativum, which continues to vigorously produce progesterone. It is not without reason that many people call it the pregnancy hormone – its deficiency can result in complications regardless of the stage of fetal development.
• If fertilization does not occur , the corpus luteum atrophies, transforming into the corpus albuginea. The level of progesterone in the blood decreases, causing changes in the uterine lining, which is shed about 14 days after ovulation, and the menstrual cycle begins again.

Ovulation symptoms

During the periovulation period, we experience the highest levels of sex hormones, which has a positive effect on well-being. However, ovulation itself is also associated with the occurrence of these less pleasant symptoms for many people.

The most common symptoms are:

• changes in the cervix and the mucus it secretes – just before ovulation, the discharge resembles egg white: it is stretchy and transparent; during ovulation, characteristic changes in the cervix also occur: during fertile days, it is soft and tilted forward, while during infertile days it is the opposite – it is tilted backwards and hard;
• increase in body temperature (usually by 0.5 degrees Celsius);
• breast tenderness and soreness ;
• increased libido .

Ovulation pain – what is it?

Menstruating people may (but do not have to) experience pain in the lower abdomen during ovulation.

Pain can be caused by:

• irritation of the peritoneum by fluid (possibly blood) released from the ruptured Graafian follicle,
• stretching of the ovarian capsule just before the follicle ruptures.

Pain symptoms can vary in intensity – sometimes it is discomfort in the lower abdomen, sometimes it is a strong and sharp pain that often forces you to visit the hospital emergency room (especially if you feel it with such force for the first time). If painkillers and antispasmodics (used in the maximum possible doses) do not work or if you also experience other worrying symptoms, you should go to the hospital (multi-profile facility) to rule out other causes of this condition.

Remember: the lack of pain does not mean there is no ovulation! As I wrote above, not everyone has to feel it.

Additionally, ovulation spotting may occur during ovulation . This is due to a drop in estrogen levels, which can cause the endometrial membranes to shed.

Ovulation spotting is often confused with implantation spotting (which occurs after fertilization and is a symptom of early pregnancy).

You can read more about spotting in our article: Spotting – a map (with legend) of your body .

When does ovulation occur?

In people who menstruate regularly (which is usually 28 days), ovulation occurs on the 14th day of the cycle. However, this does not mean that it always occurs in the middle of the cycle.

The length of the cycle varies from person to person – it depends on possible hormonal disorders, diet, and stress levels, among other things. Let's also remember that the magic 28 days is a conventionally accepted "standard". Many sources indicate its optimal length as 21 to 35 days.

Regardless of cycle length, ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before menstruation begins.

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Illustration of the menstrual cycle phases and ovulation

Ovulation disorders – what if the cycle is anovulatory?

It may happen that ovulation does not occur during the menstrual cycle - then getting pregnant is impossible because the egg has not left the Graafian follicle.

Lack of ovulation is characteristic of people who are pre-pubertal or in menopause . Ovulation disorders in reproductive age may be the result of hormonal fluctuations or may indicate specific diseases or bad habits. These include:

• ovarian dysfunction ( PCOS – polycystic ovary syndrome , inflammation or cancer),
• thyroid disease,
• increased production of male sex hormones (androgens),
• improper, poorly balanced diet,
• obesity,
• insulin resistance.

Sometimes, despite the lack of ovulation, menstruation still occurs on the planned date, which definitely does not facilitate a quick and efficient diagnosis. However, the body can send us additional information indicating that ovulation has stopped.

Symptoms of an anovulatory cycle include:

• constant body temperature,
• no observed changes in the texture, color and consistency of cervical mucus,
• irregular cycles (usually lasting less than 21 days).

Any doubts should be consulted with a gynecologist. After performing tests and determining the factor responsible for ovulation disorders, the doctor decides on a specific method of treatment.

Fertile days…

If you are not planning to get pregnant, you should be especially careful during intercourse for 7 days a month. The so-called fertile days are the period of 3 days before ovulation, the day of ovulation and 3 days after it. This is when fertilization is most likely to occur.

Sperm can survive in a woman's reproductive tract for up to 72 hours, so they have 3 days to fertilize an egg (if ovulation has occurred). An egg that has entered the fallopian tube after the follicle has burst lives for up to 24 hours.

…and infertile

During these, the chances of fertilization are the lowest. We divide them into relative and absolute .

The chances of getting pregnant outside the ovulation "window" are low, but not zero. Infertile days predominate in the menstrual cycle, but the so-called absolute infertility phase ends with the onset of menstruation.

How to check when ovulation will occur?

Determining the timing of ovulation is important both for those who are planning a pregnancy and those who have no childbearing plans.

In order to check the occurrence of ovulation (and thus determine fertile and infertile days), various methods are used:

Fertile days calculator

Its mechanism of action is based on calculating when ovulation will occur, based on the date of the first day of the last period and the derived average cycle length. After comparing these data, the calculator indicates when the fertile and infertile days fall.

Self-measurement of body temperature

Regularly and meticulously measured body temperature can provide valuable information regarding the timing of ovulation. Its increase is observed about 24 hours after ovulation. It should be remembered, however, that this method is burdened with a significant risk of error.

To ensure that body temperature measurements are as accurate and reliable as possible, they should be taken in the morning (after waking up, at a fixed time) in the vagina or oral cavity.

Ovulation test

There are various types of ovulation tests available on the pharmaceutical market:

• striped,
• plate,
• streaming.

Ovulation tests allow you to determine the level of LH in the body. The information is obtained from a urine sample. The leaflet contains instructions on which day the test should be performed, as well as how the procedure itself should proceed (depending on the type chosen).

Observation of cervical mucus

Skillfully identifying the mucus and interpreting the signs that the body sends us is an important premise for determining fertile days. We already know what pre-ovulatory mucus looks like. The information we can get from interpreting cervical secretions, however, can help determine approaching ovulation, not its specific date.

Professional monitoring

This general name covers blood tests and gynecological (transvaginal) ultrasound.

Based on the analysis of a blood sample, the level of progesterone in the body is determined. The result can confirm or rule out the occurrence of ovulation in a given cycle.

Ultrasound provides valuable information to assess the course of the menstrual cycle and the condition of the endometrium, and to determine the number and growth of ovarian follicles. Regular examinations can clearly confirm when ovulation will occur, or help determine the causes that prevent fertilization.

Our bodies and the mechanics of their functioning are different – ​​nihil novi ! Some information may be a valuable guide for some, and a completely useless curiosity for others. We try to provide knowledge in the most universal way possible – in case of specific questions, you should always seek the expert opinion of a doctor who will conduct an individual case study. And we will continue to try to support you as much as we can. <3