How to check ovulation at home. Calculating ovulation using an online calculator for irregular cycles

What is ovulation? How not to miss a good moment for conception? Everything is very simple - we focus on the signs and symptoms of ovulation, use basal temperature, an ovulation test and folk remedies - and pregnancy is in our pocket!

Ovulation: what is it?

Ovulation(from the Latin ovum - egg) is one of the stages of the menstrual cycle, which is the process of rupture of a mature follicle with the release of a mature egg capable of fertilization from the ovary into the abdominal cavity.

The process of ovulation is controlled by the hypothalamus by regulating (via gonadotropin-releasing hormone) the release of hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland: LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). In the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle before ovulation, the ovarian follicle grows under the influence of FSH. When the follicle reaches a certain size and functional activity, under the influence of estrogens secreted by the follicle, an ovulatory LH peak is formed, which triggers the “maturation” of the egg. After maturation, a gap is formed in the follicle through which the egg leaves the follicle - this is ovulation. There is approximately 36 to 48 hours between the ovulatory LH peak and ovulation. During the corpus luteum phase after ovulation, the egg usually moves down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If fertilization of the egg occurs during ovulation, then on days 6-12 the zygote enters the uterine cavity and the implantation process occurs. If conception does not occur, the egg dies in the fallopian tube within 12-24 hours.

Ovulation and conception

When does ovulation occur?

On average Ovulation occurs on the fourteenth day of the menstrual cycle(with a 28-day cycle). However, deviation from the average is often observed and to a certain extent is the norm. The length of the menstrual cycle itself is not a reliable source of information about the day of ovulation. Although usually with a shorter cycle ovulation occurs earlier, and with a longer cycle - later.

The ovulation rhythm, which is constant for every woman, undergoes changes within 3 months after an abortion, within a year after childbirth, and also after 40 years, when the body prepares for the premenopausal period. Physiologically, ovulation stops with the onset of pregnancy and after the cessation of menstrual function.

How does ovulation and conception occur?

The female body is endowed with two ovaries, located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce hormones, the most famous of which are estrogen and progesterone.

The ovaries contain eggs even at the stage of intrauterine development of a girl. There are hundreds of thousands of eggs in a newborn's two ovaries. True, all of them are inactive until the onset of puberty and the first ovulation, that is, until about 12 years of age. During this time, a certain number of cells die, but 300,000 - 400,000 full-fledged eggs remain. From the moment of the first ovulation until the onset of menopause, a woman will experience from 300 to 400 menstrual cycles, as a result of which the same number of oocytes will mature and can become fertilized. During the menstrual cycle, one of many eggs matures in the ovaries.

Under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of the pituitary gland, an endocrine gland on the lower surface of the brain, the follicle (sac) with the egg selected for ovulation in a given cycle begins to grow. The diameter of the follicle at the beginning of the cycle does not exceed 1 mm, and after 2 weeks it reaches 20 mm. As the follicle grows, a bulge forms on the surface of the ovary, which by the middle of the cycle increases to the size of a grape. Inside the follicle there is fluid and a small nucleolus with a diameter of 0.1 mm.

The period of maturation of the egg until its release from the ovary can last from 8 days to a month, although on average it lasts about 2 weeks. The main factor influencing the duration of this process is the time it takes the body to reach its estrogen threshold. High levels of estrogen stimulate a sharp increase in the content of luteal stimulating hormone (LH), which causes the egg to break through the ovarian wall within one to two days after a sharp rise in its level. Midway through your cycle, about 12 days after your period begins, the pituitary gland releases large amounts of luteinizing hormone (LH), and ovulation occurs about 36 hours later.

Chromosomes located in the nucleus of cells are carriers of the genetic code. The purpose of fertilization is the fusion of two sex cells (gametes) originating from individuals of different sexes. All cells of the human body contain 46 chromosomes. Therefore, two gametes must form a new cell, which also contains 46 chromosomes. A simple addition would result in 92 chromosomes, but this would lead to a biological error, the consequence of which would be the termination of the race. Consequently, each partner must halve its number of chromosomes (to 23). In the egg, a reduction in the number of chromosomes occurs after the pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone several hours before ovulation. For such a transformation, 20 - 36 hours are enough for her. Preparing itself to receive sperm, the egg pushes half of its chromosomes to the periphery, into a small sac called the first polar body. The meeting with the sperm must occur at a strictly defined time. If this happens earlier, the egg will not be ready to receive the sperm, since it will not have time to divide its chromosomes; if - later, then she risks missing the period of maximum readiness for fertilization.

Next 14 days after ovulation, the second part of the cycle, take place in preparation for conception of the uterine mucosa. All preparation is in vain if conception does not occur, and its biological consequences will pass along with menstrual bleeding. But in one of the ovaries a new egg is already preparing for ovulation.

What happens after ovulation during conception?

The egg released from the follicle, having reduced the chromosomes, enters the fallopian tubes, which are connected to the ovary with their soft fimbriae. The fringes resemble an open flower at the end of the stem. And its living petals capture the egg as it moves. The fusion of the egg and sperm usually occurs in the fallopian tube itself.

The fallopian tube is a cylindrical muscular organ; inside it is lined with a mucous membrane covered with villi and containing glands that produce secretions. This structure facilitates the movement of the egg and (if fertilization has occurred) the embryo into the uterus.

To fertilize an egg, sperm must enter the body at approximately the same time that the egg leaves the follicle. This may seem easy to achieve, but the egg only lives for 24 hours or less after ovulation, and the sperm remains capable of fertilizing it for only a few days. Thus, sexual intercourse must happen at your most opportune time if you want to get pregnant.

Thus, ovulation period– the most successful period for conceiving a child. In this regard, it is important to be able to determine when does ovulation occur. You can do this yourself at home, for example, by measuring your basal temperature. Special devices have also been developed (for example, ClearPlan Easy Fertility Monitor), which, based on the hormone content in urine analysis, can more accurately determine the moment of ovulation: ovulation tests. More accurate determinations can be made in a clinical setting, for example, by ultrasound monitoring the growth and development of the follicle and determining the moment of its rupture.

When planning conception naturally, the procedure of in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination, one of the most important points is the moment of ovulation itself.

Symptoms of ovulation:

How to determine ovulation?

Symptoms of ovulation that a woman can notice without a doctor:

• short-term pain in the lower abdomen,
• increased sexual desire.

During a gynecological examination during ovulation, an increase in the amount of mucus secreted from the cervical canal is observed. In addition, sometimes they use the stretchability and transparency of mucus, and also observe its crystallization, which can be done using a special microscope for home use.

The next most accurate method for determining ovulation is measuring basal temperature. An increase in mucous discharge from the vagina and a decrease in rectal (basal) temperature on the day of ovulation with an increase in it the next day most likely indicates ovulation. The basal temperature chart reflects the temperature effect of progesterone and indirectly (but quite accurately) allows you to determine the fact and day of ovulation.

All of these listed signs of ovulation and methods for determining it provide only approximate results.

Signs of ovulation, which are stated by the doctor:

How to accurately recognize ovulation?
There are methods that help to absolutely determine the moment of ovulation:

Ultrasound observation (ultrasound) of the growth and development of the follicle and determination of the moment of its rupture (ovulation), see photo. Ultrasound monitoring of follicle maturation is the most accurate method for determining ovulation. After the end of menstruation, approximately on the 7th day of the cycle, the gynecologist performs an ultrasound using a vaginal sensor. After this, the procedure should be carried out every 2-3 days to monitor the preparation of the endometrium. Thus, it is possible to predict the date of ovulation.

dynamic determination of luteinizing hormone (LH level) in urine. This method is simpler and can be applied at home using ovulation tests. Ovulation tests begin to be carried out 2 times a day, 5 - 6 days before expected ovulation, strictly following the instructions.

Ovulation test at home

Home ovulation tests work by detecting a rapid rise in the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. A small amount of LH is always present in the urine, but 24-36 hours before ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), its concentration increases sharply.

Using Ovulation Tests

On what day should testing begin? This day depends on the length of your cycle. The first day of the cycle is the day when menstruation begins. Cycle length is the number of days that have passed from the first day of the last menstruation to the first day of the next.

If you have a regular cycle, then you need to start doing tests ~17 days before the start of your next menstruation, since the corpus luteum phase after ovulation lasts 12-16 days (on average, usually 14). For example, if the usual length of your cycle is 28 days, then testing should begin on the 11th day, and if 35, then on the 18th.

If your cycle lengths vary, choose the shortest cycle in the last 6 months and use its length to calculate the day to start testing. If cycles are very inconsistent and there are delays of a month or more, using tests without additional monitoring of ovulation and follicles is not reasonable due to their high cost (using tests every few days can miss ovulation, and using these tests every day is not worth it ).

When used daily or 2 times a day (morning and evening), these tests give good results, especially when combined with ultrasound. With simultaneous monitoring by ultrasound, you can not waste tests, but wait until the follicle reaches approximately 18-20 mm, when it is able to ovulate. Then you can start doing tests every day.

Performing an ovulation test

You can take an ovulation test at any time of the day, but you should stick to the same test time whenever possible. You should refrain from urinating for at least 4 hours before the test. Avoid excessive fluid intake before testing, this may reduce the amount of LH in the urine and reduce the reliability of the result.

Determining ovulation using test strips: place the test strip in a jar of urine up to the line indicated on the test for 5 seconds, place it on a clean, dry surface, and watch the result after 10-20 seconds.

Determining ovulation using a test device: Holding the tip of the absorbent pointing down, place it under a stream of urine for 5 seconds. You can also collect the urine in a clean, dry container and place the absorbent in the urine for 20 seconds. Keep the tip of the absorbent pointing downwards and remove the absorbent from the urine. Now you can put the cap back on. The result can be seen in 3 minutes.

Ovulation test results

Results of determining ovulation using a test strip: 1 strip means that an increase in LH levels has not yet occurred, repeat the test after 24 hours. 2 stripes - an increase in LH levels is recorded, the intensity of the strip next to the control one indicates the amount of the hormone. Ovulation is possible when the stripe intensity is the same as the control or brighter.

Results of determining ovulation using a test device: Look at the result window and compare the result line on the left near the arrow on the body of the stick with the control line on the right. The line closest to the arrow on the body is the result line, which shows the level of LH in the urine. Further to the right of the arrow on the body of the stick there is a control line. The control line is used for comparison with the result line. The control line always appears in the window if the test was carried out correctly.

If the result line is paler than the control line, the LH surge has not yet occurred and testing should be continued daily. If the result line is the same or darker than the control line, then the release of the hormone in the ear has occurred, and within 24-36 hours you will ovulate.

The most suitable 2 days for conception begin from the moment when you determine that the LH surge has already occurred. If sexual intercourse occurs within the next 48 hours, your chance of getting pregnant will be maximized. Once you have determined that an outlier has occurred, there is no need to continue testing.

Types of Ovulation Tests

The most common are disposable test strips for determining ovulation, similar to pregnancy tests, their price is not high.

There are also devices for determining ovulation, which are gradually replacing expensive one-time tests; they also quite accurately determine the moment of ovulation, but they are also multifunctional and more economical, they do not need to be changed every time after use and they are designed for many years of work.

The tests allow you to fairly accurately determine ovulation; experts attribute the existing errors in the results of ovulation tests only to their incorrect use.

Thus, by combining several methods to determine the moment of ovulation, you can track the long-awaited ovulation with an absolute guarantee. After all, it is on these days that the chance for successful conception is the highest: there is ovulation - conception is possible.

Ovulation calendar

Using ovulation data from a basal temperature chart or tests for at least 3 months, you can create an ovulation calendar. The calendar allows you to predict the day of the next ovulation, thus making it possible to plan conception and pregnancy.

Ovulation and pregnancy

For a woman, the few days before and after ovulation represent the fertile phase during which conception and pregnancy are most likely.

There is a noticeable difference in the timing of ovulation among different women. And even for the same woman, the exact timing of ovulation varies from month to month. Menstrual cycles may be longer or shorter than average and may be irregular. In rare cases, it happens that in women with a very short cycle, ovulation occurs around the end of the menstrual bleeding period, but in most cases, ovulation occurs regularly at the same time.

Not only the actual conception of the child, but also its gender depends on the time of conception in relation to the time of ovulation. Directly at the moment of ovulation, there is a high probability of conceiving a boy, while before and after ovulation, a girl is more likely to be conceived. This is explained by the fact that sperm with the Y chromosome (boys) are faster, but live shorter and are less stable in an acidic environment before ovulation than with the XX set (girls). If the egg is already moving toward fresh sperm, the “boys” will reach it faster. If sperm “wait” for an egg for a long time, most of the sperm remain in it to conceive a girl.

The likelihood of conception and pregnancy is generally highest on the day of ovulation and is estimated at approximately 33%. A high probability of pregnancy is also noted on the day before ovulation - 31%, two days before it - 27%. Five days before ovulation, the probability of conception and pregnancy is 10%; four days - 14% and three days - 16%. Six days before ovulation and the day after it, the likelihood of conception and pregnancy during sexual intercourse is very low.

Considering that the average “lifespan” of sperm is 2-3 days (in rare cases it reaches 5-7 days), and the female egg remains viable for about 12-24 hours, then the maximum duration of the fertile period is 6-9 days and the fertile period corresponds to a phase of slow increase (6-7 days) and rapid decline (1-2 days) before and after the day of ovulation, respectively. Ovulation divides the menstrual cycle into two phases: the follicle maturation phase, which with an average cycle duration is 10-16 days and the luteal phase (corpus luteum phase), which is stable, independent of the duration of the menstrual cycle and is 12-16 days. The corpus luteum phase refers to the period of absolute infertility; it begins 1-2 days after ovulation and ends with the onset of a new menstruation. If for one reason or another ovulation does not occur, the endometrial layer in the uterus is thrown out during menstruation.

Ovulation stimulation

Lack of ovulation is one of the common causes of infertility.

Ovulation disorders are caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system and can be caused by inflammation of the genitals, dysfunction of the adrenal cortex or thyroid gland, systemic diseases, tumors of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, intracranial pressure, and stressful situations. Ovulation disorders can be hereditary in nature (primarily, it is a tendency to certain diseases that interfere with ovulation). Anovulation - the absence of ovulation during childbearing age - is manifested by a disturbance in the rhythm of menstruation such as oligomenorrhea (menstruation lasting 1-2 days), amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Lack of ovulation is always the cause of a woman's infertility.

One of the common causes of infertility is the lack of ovulation, most often due to hormonal imbalance, which, in turn, can occur due to stress, brain injury, abortion, etc. To treat this condition, a complex of hormonal drugs is used that stimulate ovulation and cause superovulation, when several eggs mature in the ovaries at the same time, which increases the chances of fertilization, and is widely used in the IVF procedure.

Another cause of infertility may be, for example, luteal phase deficiency - LPF, when ovulation has occurred and the concentration of progesterone in the second phase of menstruation is insufficient for implantation of the embryo into the uterus. In this case, treatment is carried out aimed at stimulating the function of the corpus luteum of the ovary and increasing the level of progesterone in the blood. However, correction of NLF is not always successful, since this condition is often associated with other gynecological diseases and requires a thorough examination.

If a woman has a disruption in the process of follicle maturation and, accordingly, ovulation, ovulation is stimulated. For this purpose, special medications are prescribed - ovulation inducers. Prescribing medications leads to stimulation of the development of one or more eggs in patients, which will then be ready for fertilization. Before prescribing such serious therapy, a whole range of tests is carried out, which allows us to determine the level of hormones in a woman. In addition to the use of ovulation stimulation, regular diagnostics using ultrasound are also carried out. After ovulation, if it is still not possible to become pregnant naturally, the patient undergoes intrauterine insemination or IVF. There is a big difference in the method of stimulating ovulation for IVF and for natural conception: in the first case, several eggs are achieved, in the second - 1, maximum 2.

Drugs to stimulate ovulation

The most commonly used drugs to stimulate ovulation are Clostilbegit and gonadotropic hormone drugs.

Preparations of gonadotropic hormones contain hormones of the endocrine gland of the pituitary gland - gonadotropins. These are follicle-stimulating hormone - FSH and luteinizing hormone - LH. These hormones regulate the process of follicle maturation and ovulation in a woman’s body and are secreted by the pituitary gland on certain days of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, when medications containing these hormones are prescribed, follicle maturation and ovulation occur.

Such drugs include Menopur (contains the hormones FSH and LH) and Gonal-F (contains the hormone FSH).

The drugs are available in injection form, administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

How is ovulation stimulated?

Various ovulation stimulation schemes are used depending on the type of ovulation disorder and the duration of the disorder. When using a regimen with Clostilbegit, the latter is prescribed from days 5 to 9 of the menstrual cycle. A combination of this drug with gonadotropins is often used. In this case, Clostilbegit is prescribed from days 3 to 7 of the menstrual cycle with the addition of Menopur (Puregon) on certain days.

When carrying out ovulation stimulation, a very important point is ultrasound monitoring, that is, monitoring the maturation of the follicle using an ultrasound machine. This allows you to make adjustments to the treatment regimen and promptly avoid such side effects of stimulation as the growth of several follicles. The frequency of ultrasound examinations during the treatment program is on average 2-3 times. During each examination (monitoring), the number of growing follicles is counted, their diameter is measured and the thickness of the uterine mucosa is determined.

When the leading follicle reaches a diameter of 18 millimeters, the doctor may prescribe the drug Pregnil, which completes the final process of egg maturation and causes ovulation (direct release of the egg from the follicle). Ovulation after Pregnil administration occurs within 24-36 hours. Depending on the type of marital infertility, during the period of ovulation, either intrauterine insemination is carried out with the sperm of the husband or donor, or the time of sexual intercourse is calculated.

Depending on the duration and cause of infertility, the woman’s age, the pregnancy rate per attempt is 10–15%.

Conditions for ovulation stimulation:

1. Examination of a married couple.
List of tests:
HIV (both spouses)
Syphilis (both spouses)
Hepatitis B (both spouses)
Hepatitis C (both spouses)
Smear for degree of purity (woman)
Bacteriological cultures: chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, candida, gardnerella (both spouses)
Smear for oncocytology (woman)
Therapist's conclusion about the possibility of pregnancy
Ultrasound of the mammary glands
Blood test for antibodies to rubella, that is, the presence of immunity (protection) in a woman

2. Patent fallopian tubes.
Since fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube (“Physiology of Conception”), patent fallopian tubes are an important condition for pregnancy. Assessment of fallopian tube patency can be carried out using several methods:

• Laparoscopy
• Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy
• Metrosalpingography

Since each method has its own indications, the choice of method is determined jointly by you and your attending physician at the appointment.

3. Absence of intrauterine pathology
Any abnormalities in the uterine cavity prevent pregnancy (“Intrauterine pathology”). Therefore, if a woman has indications of trauma to the uterine mucosa (curettage of the uterine cavity during abortion and bleeding, inflammation of the uterine mucosa - endometritis, intrauterine device and other factors), hysteroscopy is recommended to assess the condition of the uterine cavity (“Hysteroscopy”).

4. Satisfactory sperm quality
Satisfactory sperm quality – absence of male factor infertility. If intrauterine insemination is not planned, a postcoital test (“Postcoital test”) is recommended before inducing ovulation.

5. Absence of acute inflammatory process
Absence of acute inflammatory process of any localization. Any inflammatory disease is a contraindication for many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in medicine, since it carries a risk of worsening the patient’s condition.

It is best to use folk remedies to stimulate ovulation only after consulting a doctor.

Ovulation photo taken during IVF surgery

The 3rd photo shows that several eggs have matured (after preliminary stimulation of ovulation).

Remember that when you are ovulating, the life of the egg (that is, the period for conception) is very short. Therefore, in order to increase, it is important to understand all the subtleties regarding the cycle. And you need to start by learning to “understand” your cycle, and be able to recognize the signs of ovulation before it begins.

"Understanding" the cycle

The menstrual cycle will tell you when ovulation occurs

Your menstrual cycle will seem much easier if you know how to approach it. You don't need to be an expert to do this. It is important to acquire basic knowledge in order to learn how to calculate the ovulation period based on the existing cycle, and get closer to the long-awaited pregnancy.

The period from the 1st day of menstruation until the onset of ovulation is called the follicular phase. The second half of the cycle is called the luteal phase and lasts from 12 to 16 days. The day of ovulation, not the first day of your period, is the starting point for determining cycle length. Your cycle chart will help you determine the length of the follicular and luteal phases, which is useful for every woman to know.

How does ovulation occur?

The ovaries are incredible almond-shaped organs. Before ovulation, they produce follicles that contain the eggs themselves. Each follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) cycle produces 5 to 12 follicles. The dominant follicle is released during ovulation. Maturing follicles release estrogen, and due to high levels of estrogen in the blood, luteinizing hormone (LH) causes ovulation.

Ovulation occurs 12-24 hours after the LH surge, when a mature follicle breaks through the ovarian wall. If the sperm is already ready and waiting to release the egg, or if intercourse is occurring at this point, the chances of you getting pregnant are highest.

For 90% of women, the cycle length is 23-35 days, and ovulation occurs right in the middle. Extraneous factors (stress, for example) can delay the onset of ovulation until the 3rd or 4th week.

Most doctors calculate based on the estimated ovulation on day 14 in a 28-day cycle. Now you yourself understand how inaccurate this is! Absolutely not every woman has a 28-day cycle, and ovulation occurs on the 14th. A normal, healthy menstrual cycle can last from 26 to 32 days.

Does ovulation occur every month?

Not all women ovulate monthly. If the ovary has not produced a mature follicle, then ovulation will not take place. This is called an anovulatory menstrual cycle. The endometrium (the lining of the uterus that builds up in preparation for pregnancy) develops as usual, but no egg is produced. A small percentage of women are able to produce 2 or more eggs during the day, after which the release of several more is impossible due to hormonal changes in the body. Once the egg is fertilized, hormones prevent subsequent eggs from being released to protect and maintain the pregnancy.

Ovulation: signs, symptoms, sensations

Now let's figure out how to determine ovulation by sensations. There are signs of ovulation that you may notice in yourself. Let's look at the main and secondary symptoms of ovulation.

Sign of ovulation 1: Pain during ovulation or ovulatory syndrome

How to determine ovulation by sensations: pain during ovulation should not be severe

One of the most unpleasant symptoms of ovulation is pain during ovulation or ovulatory syndrome. Ovulation causes sudden, constant pain in the lower abdomen. It is important to understand that mild discomfort is normal, but pain is not. They may be a sign of a cyst, growths after surgery, or other health problems. Such a “symptom” should be urgently addressed by a medical institution, especially if you are planning to conceive a child, as the pain may indicate a problem that threatens your fertility.

Sign of ovulation 2: Decrease in basal temperature

To notice temperature fluctuations, you first need to start measuring it, every morning, at approximately the same time, entering all the data into the cycle table. Keeping a table or calendar is very important for understanding the cycle and determining the processes occurring in the body. If you haven’t entered the data into the table, it won’t tell you anything, but it will be an excellent start in the process of learning the characteristics of your body.

To measure your temperature, you will need a basal thermometer, which is specially designed to detect less noticeable temperature fluctuations than a regular thermometer. Such a thermometer has an error of ±, and is capable of determining temperature to two decimal places.

Today the market is full of various thermometers, but all you need is a regular basal thermometer. After ovulation, you will notice a slight rise in temperature and it will remain at this level until your next menstruation. If you become pregnant, your temperature may still be elevated. Here's how women can predict the onset of their period by noticing a slight drop in temperature during the premenstrual period.

Ovulation Sign 3: Cervical Discharge During Ovulation

Discharge is one of the most accurate signs by which you can calculate the onset of ovulation. The change in discharge depends on the fertile or infertile stage of the cycle. They can also help determine when you are fertile again after having a baby.

Cervical discharge changes under the influence of the hormone estrogen. After menstruation, the discharge is usually slight, then it becomes mucous, then creamy, then watery and, reaching the state of highest fertility, it becomes mucous, stretchy and transparent. The discharge during the period of peak fertility looks like raw egg white, thus providing quick passage of sperm to the egg and alkaline protection from the acidic environment of the vagina.

As you age, the number of days with completely clear, protein-rich discharge decreases. For example, in a 20-year-old girl such discharge can last up to 5 days, and in a woman about 40 years old - 1-2 days maximum.

Ovulation Sign 4: Cervical Position

The cervix is ​​a great indicator of when ovulation occurs. Of course, to understand all the changes in the position of the cervix, you need to carefully monitor the cycle for quite a long time.

You should check your cervical position at approximately the same time each day as it may change throughout the day. Remember to wash your hands before checking.

Just like the discharge during ovulation, the position of the cervix adjusts to give the best result for fertilization. Before ovulation approaches, the cervix is ​​dry, hard, closed and lowered into the vagina. Such signs are typical for barren days. As ovulation approaches, the cervix becomes soft and wet (due to the abundance of mucus), the cervical canal opens, and the cervix itself rises and takes a position at the top of the vagina.

Signs of ovulation 5-10: Minor symptoms of ovulation

Sign of ovulation 5: Breast tenderness and tenderness

Ovulation Sign 6: Increased Libido

Sign of ovulation 7: Increased strength and energy

Sign of ovulation 8: Increased sense of smell, vision and taste

Sign of ovulation 9: Water retention in the body

Ovulation sign 10: Bloody discharge

Mid-cycle spotting is thought to be the result of a sudden drop in estrogen before ovulation. Due to a lack of progesterone, slight bleeding may be present in the mucous membrane.

Ovulation is a very important and even the main event of each menstrual cycle. However, this process is not as noticeable as menstruation itself, since it does not create the discomfort everyone knows. Often, women not only do not notice ovulation, but do not even think about it. The need to find out the date of ovulation usually arises in connection with planning a pregnancy or, on the contrary, to exclude the possibility of its occurrence.

When is it time to ovulate?

How can you find out about the onset of ovulation if it has no noticeable signs? Despite the individual characteristics of each organism, there are certain general patterns. Physiologically, the menstrual cycle is designed in such a way that the time of ovulation occurs approximately in its middle. From the very first day of menstruation, the body launches a program to prepare the egg, which can become the basis for the birth of a new life.

The release of the egg from the follicle is a kind of apogee of the menstrual cycle, its main task. A mature egg released from the ovary is ready for fertilization. Regulation of this process occurs mainly through the production of hormones, but it is also influenced by the state of the entire organism, as well as external factors. For example, in some women the egg matures quite quickly: the entire cycle takes 21 days. For others, this process requires more time or does not occur at all.

Ovulation may indeed be absent for some time - this is not a pathology. This is usually due to the fact that the body considers the current conditions unfavorable for the birth of a new life. Factors that prevent ovulation are illness, physical exhaustion due to fatigue or malnutrition, excessive exercise, depression, and stress. The human body is a self-regulating system that can postpone pregnancy until better times, preventing its occurrence. Climate change and aggressive natural conditions can pose a threat to the health of the mother and fetus. In addition, the date of ovulation may change due to a woman’s unfavorable psycho-emotional state associated with her internal attitudes and experiences.

All of these factors in one way or another affect the maturation of the egg, and therefore the duration of the menstrual cycle, and therefore the time of ovulation, may change.

How long does an egg live after ovulation?

The egg is given a very short period of time from maturation and exit from the follicle to the cessation of its vital activity - up to 36 hours. Only during this period of time is the woman’s reproductive cell ready to accept the seed and give rise to a new life. To do this, the sperm must be in the right place in a timely manner. Based on how long the egg lives after ovulation, there is not much time left for conception.

Fortunately, the lifespan of sperm is slightly longer. Once in a woman’s body, the sperm can remain active for an average of three more days (from 1 to 5 days). It takes approximately 24 hours to reach the site of fertilization (the fallopian tube). The remaining time margin increases the chance of a sperm meeting an egg. Thus, during the menstrual cycle there is a period during which the probability of pregnancy is highest: 3-4 days before ovulation, during ovulation and on the first (maximum second) day after it. Simply put, only one week out of the entire month is truly fruitful.

Not everyone experiences ovulation unnoticed - sometimes women may experience some symptoms of this process:

• Pain in the lower abdomen, mainly from one of the ovaries;
• Changes in normal discharge: it becomes more abundant and mucous;
• The appearance of minor bleeding;
• Changes in mood and behavior;
• Increased libido.

However, these are very conditional criteria. Pain can be of a very different nature; this also applies to the characteristics of genital discharge. Things like mood and sexual desire cannot be measured at all - they are too relative and subjective. Therefore, most women still prefer to determine the time of ovulation using more reliable methods.

Perhaps the simplest ovulation day calculator is a regular calendar. By marking the days when your periods start, you will have a clear idea of ​​the average length of your cycles. If the resulting number is divided in half, you will get the approximate date of ovulation. That is, if your menstrual cycle is 28 days, then ovulation should occur on the 14th day of the cycle. You can also use interactive versions of the pregnancy and ovulation calendar - they are created according to the same principle.

Special methods for calculating the time of ovulation

Considering that the time of ovulation is not a mathematical category, but a physiological process, to obtain a more accurate result, all changes in the body should be taken into account. One of the most accessible methods is to chart fluctuations in basal (rectal) body temperature. A few days before the expected date of ovulation, you need to start measuring the temperature in the rectum or vagina using a regular thermometer. This should be done in the morning, without getting out of bed, and the data should be recorded. In the first days, the readings will be the same, but the temperature graph during ovulation will change slightly: it will increase by 0.5-1°C. The disadvantage of this method is that temperature cannot be considered a reliable indicator - it can change for other reasons. In addition, an increase in temperature indicates that ovulation has already taken place, and in the case of contraception or pregnancy planning, it is highly desirable to know the time of ovulation in advance.

A more complex but accurate way to determine the time of ovulation is to resort to scientific advances. A home rapid ovulation test is as easy to use as pregnancy tests; in addition, it “warns” about ovulation. The test is based on determining the level of luteinizing hormone (LH), which increases sharply a day or two before ovulation. This method gives a married couple a head start: if you get down to business in advance, the chances of getting pregnant increase significantly. Another way is to use a mini microscope, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. This device allows you to independently study the characteristic changes in the structure of saliva that occur as ovulation approaches. But, of course, the most reliable option is to go to a medical institution, where a qualified specialist will perform an ultrasound diagnostic to detect changes in the ovaries.

Whatever your personal ovulation day calculator is based on, you should remember that there is some probability of conception even on days that seem completely inappropriate for this. So for contraception, the data obtained can be used only as auxiliary. In the matter of procreation, the schedule is secondary - your love, trust and warmth of relationships are much more important.

Text: Elena Yasakova

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Problems with conception are quite common today, and this also applies to absolutely healthy young couples.

Stress, strong emotional disturbances, a sedentary lifestyle, bad habits, excess weight and many other factors can contribute to this.

Even poor nutrition can cause a long-awaited pregnancy to never occur. If a man consumes few foods containing zinc, selenium and chromium, the activity of his sperm drops sharply, they lose viability, and the overall quality of sperm deteriorates.

If the spouses are healthy and do not have chronic diseases, then the method of determining ovulation can help speed up conception. Determining the most favorable day for fertilization has long been used in IVF clinics and reproduction centers, but this does not mean that a woman cannot independently calculate the day of ovulation.

Ovulation is the release of mature eggs from the follicle into the cavity of the fallopian tube. This is where fertilization occurs if the sperm reaches its goal. It is important to understand that the lifespan of an egg outside the ovaries is no more than 24 hours, so women who want to get pregnant should not miss this opportunity.

Ovulation occurs only once a month, however, there are cases when eggs come out of the follicles only 8–10 times per year instead of the required twelve. Most often, this occurs in women with an inconsistent menstrual cycle, as well as disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system.

All girls and women who are sexually active and cannot get pregnant within a year are recommended by gynecologists to keep an ovulation calendar, which allows, even with an error, to calculate the day of conception. This will help determine favorable days for conception and prepare for pregnancy in advance (3-4 days before expected ovulation, you should abstain from intimacy and follow a special diet).

There are many methods to determine the day of ovulation. They all have their pros and cons, so you shouldn’t stop at just one. After all, the more accurate the result obtained, the greater the likelihood of pregnancy. So, on what day does ovulation occur?

How to calculate the day of ovulation if you have a regular cycle

Last period method

This method allows you to determine on what day after menstruation ovulation occurs. This is the simplest, but at the same time the most unreliable way to determine ovulation.

The day of expected menstruation is 14 days = ovulation.

In order to determine the expected day of the onset of menstruation, you need to add the average cycle length (from 27 to 37 days) to the first day of the last menstruation. Subtract 14 days from the resulting date - this will be the estimated date of ovulation.

28 days – cycle duration

Total: March 15 is the expected day of thinning of the ovarian walls and the release of mature eggs, that is, ovulation.

Calendar method for determining a favorable day for conception

A slightly more accurate way to determine exactly when the period favorable for conception will occur. To do this, you need to know all the cyclic dates for the last six months, or even better - for the year. Next, you need to make calculations using the following algorithm:

• Determine the duration of the longest and shortest cycles.
• Subtract 18 from the shortest one. The resulting figure will be the date of the beginning of the fertile (favorable) period.
• Subtract 11 from the longest one. The resulting figure will be the end date of the fertile period.
• The interval between these values ​​is the period when the probability of conception increases by 50–70%.

The described methods are effective only under one condition - the menstrual cycle is constant, and the woman monitors its duration (knows exactly the start and end dates of menstruation) for at least 6 months.

If your cycle is inconsistent, you can determine ovulation using other methods.

With an irregular cycle

Basal temperature measurement

- This is the lowest temperature of the human body, which is measured during rest. You need to measure it in the morning, before getting out of bed. It is best to measure the temperature in the rectum (anus), although you can insert the thermometer into the mouth (under the tongue) or into the vagina.

Measurements must be carried out for at least three months. This is important for the reliability of the data obtained and the accuracy of the graph. The data should be recorded in a special notebook, preferably so that the curve of the rise and fall of the values ​​can be clearly recorded.

The thermometer should be held for at least 5 minutes, and measurements should begin on day 1 of the cycle.

How to decipher the result?

• During menstruation, the temperature will be quite high, after which it will decline (this usually happens towards the middle of the cycle).
• At the moment of ovulation, basal temperature values ​​rise sharply by 0.2–0.6 degrees. Such values ​​can last up to two weeks.
• Before the next monthly period, the thermometer will drop again.

The lowest temperature values ​​recorded before the next increase will be considered ovulation.

Ovulation tests - help you get pregnant

The most popular and fairly reliable method for determining ovulation.

The principle of operation of these tests is similar to similar strips for determining pregnancy, which are used when there is a delay to confirm or exclude the possibility of pregnancy.

The only difference is that ovulation test strips determine the content of LH (luteinizing hormone) in the urine, which reaches its maximum concentration 24 hours before the eggs leave the follicle cavity.

These tests must be carried out every day during the fertile period - this is the only way the accuracy of the result will be close to 98%.

Saliva testing: the “fern” method

At the time of ovulation, the amount of female hormones - estrogens - increases. Under their influence, the composition of the salivary secretion changes, in which the level of sodium chloride (salt) almost doubles. If you apply such saliva to glass on the day of ovulation, then as it dries, you will see a pattern similar to fern leaves. Small salt crystals form on the surface of the glass - this picture can be observed 72 hours before and after ovulation.

There are special devices on sale for carrying out such testing. They are convenient and easy to use, and the accuracy of the results obtained ranges from 90 to 96–97%.

Ultrasound monitoring

The most reliable method that allows you to accurately calculate the day of ovulation to increase the likelihood of conception. Ultrasound monitoring (folliculogram) is a dynamic observation of the growth and maturation of follicles and the expulsion of eggs.

This study is called monitoring, as observation is carried out over time. This means that the frequency of examination using a transvaginal sensor is every day for the period necessary to establish a diagnosis or confirm the fact of ovulation.

This method is used in the treatment of infertility and IVF, since only with the help of a sensor can one assess the condition of the organs of the female reproductive system and determine whether positive dynamics occur in response to therapy as part of artificial stimulation of ovulation.

Constant monitoring is also necessary for polycystic ovary syndrome, and in some cases with this disease, the study can be carried out for 3 months in a row (with two-week breaks).

What can be assessed using ultrasound monitoring:

• growth and maturation of the dominant follicle on the eve of ovulation;
• the appearance of free fluid after ovulation;
• destruction of the walls of the main follicle;
• formation of the corpus luteum at the site of maturation of the dominant follicle.

For the first time, the patient should come for the study on the 6th day of the cycle; in the future, the procedure will be repeated every day until ovulation occurs. A control ultrasound should be performed no later than 3 days after the date of release of the eggs from the cavity of the dominant follicle.

Among the listed methods for determining ovulation, there are none that would 100% guarantee an accurate result. Even during ultrasound monitoring, small errors are possible, since there is a human factor, and the possibility of error cannot be completely eliminated. However, using these methods, you can increase the chances of a successful conception by at least half, so you definitely shouldn’t neglect them.

What is “ovulation”, what is the essence of this term?

In medical practice, ovulation is considered to be the second stage of the menstrual cycle, where the egg is released from the ovary. Then the woman’s body is completely ready for further fertilization.

It is especially important to understand when ovulation occurs for women who purposefully want to get pregnant. After all, at such a moment the chances of successful conception are many times higher.

Ovulation: what is it?

The release of an egg from the ovary indicates that ovulation has already begun. The absence of this process completely eliminates the possibility of fertilization and often requires hormonal treatment.

There are some standards for when to expect ovulatory days. So, with a normal cycle of 28-30 days, the approximate onset of ovulation occurs on the 14th day of the cycle. However, most often there are deviations, and ovulation can occur from 12 to 20 days of the cycle. Note that this is the norm and not a pathological process. Ovulation can be most accurately calculated when there are exactly 30 days between periods. In this case, the probability of ovulation occurring on day 14 is highest.

Some couples use the ovulatory process as one of the methods of contraception, believing that unprotected sexual intercourse in the absence of ovulation will prevent pregnancy.

This method of protection is the most ineffective of those proposed in medicine. This is due to the fact that during the menstrual cycle several ovulations may occur, or it may shift. It cannot be determined without a special test.

Ovulation: planning a baby

Knowing and understanding your ovulatory cycle is best used when you want to conceive a baby, and not for contraception purposes. Therefore, it is advisable to start determining your ovulation in the following cases:

1. To understand your reproductive function. If after menstruation, at the time of ovulation, there was sexual intercourse, but fertilization did not occur, then you should contact a specialist and look for the cause of this phenomenon. In particular, when this happens for several months in a row. You should also consult a doctor if there is no ovulation phase.
2. To increase the chances of fertilization. Unprotected intercourse during the peak of ovulation provides a 99% guarantee of successful conception. Many women have a question about why it should be determined at all if sex occurs regularly, almost daily. Considering that the sperm will in any case fall into the required time period and conception will definitely occur.

Naturally, regular sexual intercourse can in any case coincide with the peak of ovulation. However, it is necessary to know the onset of ovulation, since it will help determine pathologies, for example, the absence of motile sperm in the ejaculate.

Sperm motility may be partial, then before sexual intercourse you should abstain for 7 days, and then perform it one day before planned ovulation. In cases where mobility is completely absent, more radical methods are needed.

Ovulation: signs, symptoms of onset

It is often quite difficult to determine ovulation, since there are practically no external signs. When a woman understands her body well enough, she is able to determine the beginning of the ovulatory period by some changes.

Very often, when ovulation occurs, libido - sexual desire - increases. You can also notice changes in natural secretions. More voluminous discharge of a light color is observed, its consistency becomes thicker. Externally, the discharge resembles mucus, which can sometimes be mixed with blood and have a reddish or brownish tint. This phenomenon is associated with the natural rupture of the follicle. There may also be slight aching pain in the lower abdomen, reminiscent of the onset of menstruation. During a gynecological examination, the doctor may notice cervical mucus on the vaginal part of the cervix, which will also indicate the onset of ovulation.

Determining ovulation by basal temperature

Today, one of the accurate methods for detecting ovulation is considered to be the basal temperature indicator (the lowest temperature during the rest period). Note that it is measured immediately after waking up, in the morning, in a state of complete rest, otherwise its results will be considered erroneous.

The positive aspects of this method are the ability to carry out measurements independently, at home. However, in order to determine the most accurate temperature and subsequently determine the moment of ovulation, measurements should be carried out for at least 3-4 months in a row.

Note that basal temperature should be measured through the anus every day immediately after waking up. It is also possible to take a vaginal measurement, but this method is not standard.

You should also remember about factors that negatively affect basal temperature, thereby changing its true indicators:

• diseases of viral and infectious origin;
• urethritis, cystitis and other inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs;
• sleep less than 6 hours;
• alcohol consumption in the last 24 hours;
• sexual intercourse the day before;
• various medications (if possible, stop taking medications 2-3 days before taking the temperature).

It is imperative to keep a graph of basal temperature, which will indicate not only its indicators, but also all possible factors that could affect the result (diseases, sexual intercourse, etc.)

You can use a regular thermometer (mercury), measuring time is 7-10 minutes. With each measurement, the length of time the thermometer is in the rectum or vagina should not change.

If no pathological processes are observed, then the basal temperature in the second half of the menstrual cycle will increase by only half a degree. Closer to the middle of the cycle, it may decrease by the same half a degree, which is also considered normal.

Other methods for determining ovulation

Although measuring basal temperature is considered the most accurate method, however, it is not convenient for everyone, in particular for women with irregular work schedules. Therefore, for them, other equally effective methods for determining ovulation are simply a godsend. What can be purchased in pharmacies to understand when ovulation occurs:

• ovulation test strips (similar to pregnancy tests);
• special diagnostic devices for determining ovulation;
• Maybe Baby mini-microscope, which allows you to determine the follicular phase by the composition of saliva;
• Ultrasound diagnostics.

The last diagnostic method can be considered the simplest and most informative. Ultrasound examination to determine when ovulation occurs on the 8-10th day of the cycle, provided that its duration is exactly 28 days. Ultrasound helps to see directly the egg and its location at the moment. Further studies will be carried out according to the recommendations of a specialist on certain days of the cycle, which he can determine. Please note that the minimum number of studies should not be less than 3.

Very often, women of reproductive age underestimate the process of ovulation itself, and some even know nothing about it, believing that to successfully conceive, you just need to have sex every day. The onset of ovulation is a very important period in a woman’s cycle, responsible not only for the ability to fertilize, but also for the general state of hormonal levels. And hormonal imbalances can negatively affect overall health, so you can observe a chain reaction where ovulation is responsible not only for the possibility of procreation, but also for health in general.