The symptoms of ovulation are not hard to spot. Once you know what to look for, you'll be surprised how easy it can be. Almost everyone who is trying to get pregnant wants to know when is the day of ovulation. Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary. When an egg is ovulated, sperm should already be in the fallopian tubes available to fertilize that egg.
In other words, ideally, intercourse should occur before ovulation to increase your chances of conceiving.
You are most fertile in the days leading up to ovulation. If you can have sex during this time, your chances of getting pregnant will increase significantly.
How can you find out which are your most fertile days? Here's how to know when it's approaching, and how to know if it's happened.
When do most women ovulate?
On average, a woman with regular cycles tends to ovulate somewhere between days 11 and 21 of her cycle. (Day 1 is the day the period begins.) This means that a woman's most fertile days are somewhere between days 8 and 21.
If your cycles are shorter, you are more likely to ovulate closer to day 11. If you have longer menstrual cycles, ovulation may occur closer to the 21st day. But "for a while" between day 11 and day 21 is quite a long time!
You can aim to have sex every day or every other day from 8 to 21 pm.
Or you can look for ovulation symptoms and have sex whenever you find fertile signs. You can also track your cycles every month, so you get an idea of when you ovulate (your own average).
Some signs of ovulation indicate its approach. This allows you to have sex while pregnant.
Others tell you that you have ovulated.
Signs of ovulation
Here are eight signs of ovulation or ovulation.
Positive ovulation test result
It works like a home pregnancy test. You urinate on a stick or into a cup in which you place the stick or test strip. Two lines will appear. When the test line is darker than the control line, you are about to ovulate. It's time to have sex to get pregnant.
Ovulation tests are a popular way to detect ovulation, but they have their pros and cons.
- This requires less work than determining your core body temperature. (More on this below.)
- Hobbyist ovulation monitors (digital) can be relatively easy to use.
- Simpler tests are more difficult to interpret, and it is not always easy to tell when a test line is darker than a control.
- Can be expensive, especially if your periods are irregular or you've been trying to conceive for a long time.
- Mistakes happen - you can get a positive result, not ovulation.
- Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can get multiple positive results even if they don't ovulate, making the kits useless.
Quality of cervical secretion
As you approach ovulation, the amount of secretion near the cervix, known as cervical mucus, increases and turns into the consistency of a raw egg and is white. This fertile quality of cervical mucus helps sperm pass into the female reproductive system and makes intercourse easier and more enjoyable.
When you are not in the fertile stage of your cycle, cervical mucus is sticky. The stages of cervical mucus go from almost dry to sticky, creamy, watery, white, and then back to sticky or dry. You can learn to track these changes and predict ovulation.
When you have it egg white, it's time to have sex to get pregnant!
Increased sexual desire
Nature knows exactly how to get you to have sex at the perfect time to conceive. A woman's desire for sex just before ovulation. She not only wants sex, but also looks more sexy. The actual bone structure of the woman's face shifts slightly, her walk becomes sexier, and if she dances, her hips have more sensual vibrations.
Of course, ovulation is not the only thing that can lead to an increase in your libido. Also, if you are anxious or depressed, you may not notice or increase your sexual desire even right before ovulation.
Sustained increase in body temperature
Your basal body temperature (BBT) is the temperature when you are at rest. While you may think of a normal body temperature as 36.6, the truth is that your body temperature changes somewhat throughout the day and month. It rises and falls in activity levels, what you eat, hormones, sleep habits, and of course if you get sick.
After ovulation, progesterone levels rise in your body. The hormone progesterone causes fever. If you track your BBT, you can see when you are ovulating.
Some things to know about basal temperature tracking:
- It requires you to take your temperature every morning, at the same time (no sleep!) before you get up.
- Free apps and websites can be used to chart
- This is a bad method if you work the night shift or sleep at different times.
- Your BBT chart can be used by your doctor to diagnose irregular cycles or ovulation problems
Position of the cervix
If you think of your vagina as a tunnel, it ends at the cervix. Your cervix shifts positions and changes during your menstrual cycle. You can track these changes.
Before ovulation, the cervix rises higher (maybe difficult for you to reach), becomes softer to the touch, and opens slightly. When you are not in the fertile stage of your cycle, the cervix is lower and more closed.
Soreness of the mammary glands
Have you ever noticed that your breasts are sometimes tender to the touch? But not always? This is caused by hormones that the body produces after ovulation.
You can pay attention to this change as a way to know that ovulation has occurred. You can't predict ovulation this way, but it could be a sign.
However, breast tenderness can also be a side effect of fertility medications.
Saliva drawing
Another possible sign of ovulation is your saliva. A unique and unusual way to detect ovulation, the saliva pattern looks like frost on a window pane. Specialized microscopes are sold for this purpose, or you can technically use any microscope.
Some women find this pattern difficult to detect. Since this is an unusual way to track ovulation, you won't find many people online to consult. (Unlike tracking cervical mucus or basal body temperature, where there are many support forums from which you can get feedback and recommendations.)
Mittelshmertz or painful ovulation
Do you ever notice a sharp pain in your lower abdomen that seems random? If this pain comes in the middle of your cycle, you may experience ovulation pain.
Studies have shown that mid-cycle pain (also known as mittelschmerz) occurs just before ovulation.
For most, ovulation pain is temporary, sharp pain in the lower abdomen. But others experience pain so severe that it prevents them from having sexual intercourse during their most fertile time. This could be a possible symptom of endometriosis or pelvic spasms. You must tell your doctor.
Exact day of ovulation?
Can any of the ovulation signs listed above give you an accurate ovulation date? It does not matter. As long as you have sex every day or every other day for three to four days from your possible ovulation date, you will have sex at the right time to get pregnant. In fact, research has shown that you won't even know what day you ovulated.
An ultrasound can be used to determine when ovulation has occurred. The researchers compared the results of the ultrasound with commonly used ovulation tracking methods. They found that a basal body temperature chart correctly predicted the exact day of ovulation only 43 percent of the time. Ovulation tests that detect an LH surge can only be accurate 60% of the time.
All this is good news. This means you don't have to stress that you're having sex on the exact day before ovulation. If you have intercourse when there are possible fertile signs, or have sex frequently throughout the month, your chances of conceiving are good.
Signs When You Can't Ovulate
If you don't ovulate, you can't get pregnant. If you ovulate irregularly, it may be harder for you to get pregnant. Anovulation is the medical term for the lack of ovulation. Oligovulation is the medical term for irregular ovulation.
Here are some possible signs of an ovulation problem.
irregular cycles
If your periods are unpredictable, you may have an ovulation problem. It is normal if your menstrual cycle changes by a couple of days every month. It is not normal if the changes fluctuate over several days.
Very short or long cycles
The usual period can be as short as 21 days or up to 35 days. However, if your cycles are usually shorter or longer than this, you may have a problem with ovulation.
No periods or months without menstrual cycles
Assuming you're of childbearing age, if you don't have your period at all, or there are many months between cycles, that's a strong sign that you're not ovulating.
No rise in body temperature
As mentioned above, your basal body temperature rises somewhat after ovulation. If you're scheduling your cycles and there's no temperature rise, you may not be ovulating. However, for some women, basal temperature does not rise even if they ovulate. Why this happens is unknown.
Also, if you don't have a sleep routine, or don't take your temperature at the same time every morning before you get up, it can reset your schedule results.
No positive ovulation test result or multiple positive results
Ovulation test kits detect luteinizing hormone that builds up just before ovulation. If you never get a positive result, you may not ovulate.
Oddly enough, getting multiple positive results can also indicate an ovulation problem. This means that your body is trying to induce ovulation but is not succeeding. Think of it as a misfire. It is common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Note: Don't assume you can't get pregnant if you have symptoms of a possible ovulation problem. Even if you don't have a period, you can still get pregnant. This is unlikely. But it is possible.
If you do not want to become pregnant, you must use contraception or birth control. Talk to your doctor about your specific situation.
How does a doctor determine ovulation?
If you suspect that you are not ovulating or ovulating irregularly, see your doctor. You may have a fertility problem and it's important that you find out about it quickly. Some causes of infertility worsen over time.
How will your doctor determine if you are ovulating? The most common way is a progesterone blood test. The hormone progesterone rises after ovulation. If you don't ovulate, your progesterone results will be abnormally low. This test is usually done on day 21 of your cycle.
It is also necessary to give blood during a fertility test, which can help determine why there is no ovulation. Your doctor will also check your FSH and AMH levels, as well as estrogen, prolactin, androgens, and thyroid hormones.
Transvaginal ultrasound may be prescribed. It will let you know if follicles are developing in the ovary. After ovulation, an ultrasound can detect if a follicle has opened and released an egg.
What happens if there is no ovulation?
If your doctor has already run tests and determined that you are not ovulating regularly, you are probably wondering what to do next. Usually, but not always, your doctor will suggest treatment with Clomid. It is a popular drug with few side effects and has a good pregnancy success rate.
However, make sure your doctor checks your partner's fertility and your fallopian tubes first. That means a semen analysis for him and a hysterosalpingogram (a special kind of X-ray) for you.
You may want to just take Clomid. But if something else is keeping you from getting pregnant, like blocked fallopian tubes or male infertility, then you'll take Clomid for no reason.
Nobody wants it. If your doctor won't check your partner's fallopian tubes and fertility before prescribing Clomid, go to someone else. Your partner may need to see a urologist for a semen analysis. Then, after the test, you can return to your gynecologist to try Clomid. It is worth taking the time to pass the necessary tests.
You can use what you've learned about ovulation to get pregnant faster. However, even if your fertility is "perfect", don't expect to conceive in the first month of trying. According to studies on couples who knew how to spot signs of ovulation for pregnancy, 68% got pregnant within three months. After six months, 81 was the percentage of pregnant women.
However, ovulation is not the only key to conception. This is just one piece of the puzzle. The health of the entire reproductive system in both partners is also important.
If you're trying to conceive and you're sure you're ovulating, don't assume everything is fine. See a doctor and get confirmation. If you are 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for six months without success, see your doctor. If you are under 35, as long as you have no other symptoms of infertility, see your doctor after a year of trying to conceive without success.
The good news is that most couples with fertility problems will be able to get pregnant with fertility treatments.
Knowing the day when ovulation will occur is very important for couples who are planning a pregnancy. After all, this information helps to increase the chances of conception. How you can find out when ovulation will occur and how accurate each method is, we will discuss with you in this article.
female physiology
The egg that leaves the ovary lives for about 24 hours. It is during the day that it can be fertilized, and then pregnancy occurs. After a day, the egg dies, and a new one will appear only next month.
For the onset of conception, not only an egg is needed, but also a sperm. According to various researchers, sperm cells live 2-3 days, in rare cases 5-7 days. It turns out that the probability of conception is maximum within 24 hours after ovulation, 1-2 days before ovulation (spermatozoa are waiting for the release of the egg), it is still somewhat less. As a result, the period when the onset of pregnancy is most likely to be only about 3 days: 2 days before ovulation and 1 day after it.
In the menstrual cycle, there are two phases - follicular and luteal, which are separated by ovulation. The first day of the cycle is the first day of menstrual bleeding. Normally, the menstrual cycle lasts 21-35 days (average 28-30 days), and spotting lasts 3-5 days. In the case of a regular cycle, ovulation occurs almost every month somewhere in the middle of the cycle, but 1-2 cycles per year can pass without it.
ovarian follicle
In the first days of menstrual bleeding (the beginning of the cycle), the level of estrogen in the blood is low. To increase it, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) begins to be produced in the pituitary gland. Under its influence, several follicles begin to grow in the ovaries at once. One of them overtakes all the others in size (dominant follicle). This is where the ovum matures. The growing follicle produces female sex hormones - estrogens. The larger the follicle, the more actively estrogens are produced, and this stimulates the synthesis of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the pituitary gland. Its release into the blood provokes a rupture of the follicle, and the mature egg enters the abdominal cavity, ovulation occurs. Here it is captured by the villi of the fallopian tube and, due to contractions of its wall, gradually moves along it towards the uterus.
If a meeting with a spermatozoon occurs, then pregnancy occurs. The fertilized egg begins to divide, turning into an embryo, which continues to move through the tube into the uterine cavity. And in place of the ruptured follicle, a corpus luteum forms in the ovary. It produces progesterone, a hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus for the introduction of a fertilized egg into it. It is called the pregnancy hormone. If fertilization does not occur, then the corpus luteum works for 13-14 days, and then the uterine mucosa is rejected and menstruation begins. But if the fertilization of the egg happened, then the corpus luteum works much longer, producing progesterone, which creates optimal conditions for maintaining pregnancy.
With a menstrual cycle of 28 days, ovulation occurs on the 13th-14th day of the cycle (that is, on the 13th-14th day from the first day of menstruation). Remembering the life span of sperm and egg, we find that the most favorable for conception are 11-15 days. How to define them?
Home ovulation tests
With the help of the urine, the level of LH is determined. The peak values of this hormone are detected 24-36 hours before the release of the egg. During this period, the ovulation test becomes positive. In order not to miss this maximum LH surge, which contributes to the rupture of the follicle, it is recommended to start the test in advance.
Outwardly, an ovulation test resembles a pregnancy test; you can buy it at a pharmacy.
How to calculate ovulation?
The start day of testing is determined as follows: the duration of the menstrual cycle minus 17. For example, if the cycle is 28 days, then the test should be started on day 11 (28-17=11). If the cycle lasts a different number of days, then you need to take the shortest one in the last six months.
The first time the test is done on the calculated day, then it is carried out daily 1 time per day. The test should be done at the same time. Once it becomes positive, the next 2-3 days will be optimal for conception. However, such a test still does not give the most reliable result, since it can be false negative.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasound, which is performed by a qualified doctor, is currently the most reliable method for determining ovulation. Tracking ovulation using ultrasound is called folliculometry. From day 10, with a menstrual cycle equal to 28 days with an interval of 1-3 days, ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus is performed. At the same time, the growth of the dominant follicle and the thickening of the uterine mucosa are monitored. On one of the visits, the doctor determines the corpus luteum at the site of the growing follicle, therefore, ovulation occurred between the previous and today. And the time has come for conception.
Methods for determining ovulation
Most methods for determining ovulation give only an approximate result. They are recommended for use only by healthy women with regular menstrual cycles.
Measurement of basal temperature
It has been established that progesterone has the property of raising body temperature by a few tenths of a degree. Approximately one day after ovulation, the basal temperature (temperature in the rectum) rises slightly. On the eve of the release of the egg from the ovary in many women, the temperature drops by 0.2-0.5 ° C. And on the day of ovulation, it jumps by 0.4-0.6 ° C and stays at this level for about 3-4 days. The method is easy to perform at home. Every morning, without getting out of bed, you need to measure the temperature in the rectum for 5 minutes. It is necessary to use the same thermometer immediately after waking up. Based on the daily results of measuring basal temperature, a graph is built.
The method has disadvantages: temperature should be measured daily at the same time, you need to sleep at least 8 hours. If these conditions are not clearly met, then it can be quite difficult to evaluate the schedule.
cervical mucus method
The method is simple and can be carried out by a woman at home. But it is not very reliable, and the information received is indicative. Under the influence of high levels of estrogen in the days before ovulation, the amount of mucus produced in the cervical canal increases, and it also becomes transparent and elastic.
You may notice that your vaginal discharge is thicker and clearer. Outwardly, they resemble the white of a raw egg. After ovulation has occurred and progesterone levels rise, the amount of mucus becomes less. Intimacy for the onset of pregnancy is recommended on the days when the discharge is the most abundant, and within 1-2 days after they end.
I talked in detail about how to "catch" ovulation at the webinar "CATCHING OVULATION":
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Briefly about the methods of registering ovulation can be found in this article.
Many women who dream of becoming mothers want to know about the most favorable days for conception. In this regard, they are faced with such a concept as "ovulation". What does this term mean, and why does a future mother need to “catch” her?
Ovulation: how does it happen?
As you know, conception is the result of the union of two germ cells - female (ovum) and male (sperm). Previously, the female germ cell must mature.
This process takes place in the ovaries. An immature germ cell is called a follicle. It has a small size - 2-3 mm. Under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is produced in the most important regulatory center (pituitary gland), the follicle begins to grow and by the middle of the cycle (12-14 days) reaches 18-20 mm in diameter. It synthesizes the female sex hormones estrogen.
Further, under the influence of peak concentrations of pituitary hormones (luteinizing and follicle-stimulating), the ovarian tissue breaks, and the mature egg enters the abdominal cavity, is picked up by the fimbriae (villi) of the fallopian tubes and goes towards its "prince" - sperm. She can be fertilized within three days. If this does not happen, the egg dies.
The process of release of an egg from the ovary is called ovulation. In its place remains the corpus luteum, which produces a very important hormone - progesterone. It is necessary for the maturation of the endometrium in the uterus and the maintenance of pregnancy.
Can you feel ovulation?
You can find out about the approaching ovulation by the nature of the discharge. In the middle of the cycle, they become plentiful and resemble egg white. These changes occur due to an increase in the concentration of female sex hormones estrogen. This is how the body prepares for conception.
Many women “feel” ovulation, experiencing slight pulling pains in the lower abdomen, as well as slight pressure on the anus, in the middle of the cycle. These sensations are associated with damage to the ovary during ovulation and the release of a small amount of blood into the small pelvis. This condition is called "ovulatory syndrome". If the pain is not expressed, then they do not require treatment. With more severe complaints, antispasmodics can be taken.
Doing a test to "catch" ovulation
More accurate information about the planned ovulation can be obtained by special tests. The principle of their action is based on determining the rapid increase in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) 24-36 hours before ovulation.
Subtract 17 days from your menstrual cycle to determine when to start testing. For example, with a 28-day cycle, testing is carried out from the 11th day, with a 35-day cycle, from the 18th.
To perform the test, it is necessary to collect urine in a clean, dry dish, place a test strip in it for 20 seconds, then remove it and evaluate the result after 3 minutes. If your line is paler than the control line, then the test is considered negative, it must be repeated in the next 4-6 days.
If the result line is as bright as the control line or darker, the test is considered positive. This means that within 24-36 hours you will ovulate. The most favorable for conception are the next 4 days. If sexual contact occurs during this period, your chance of getting pregnant will be maximum.
If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, then you need to choose the shortest cycle in the last six months and use its duration in the calculations.
With rare menstruation (1 time in 2-3 months), the use of tests is not advisable due to their high cost. In this case, it is possible to recommend measuring the basal temperature.
Measuring basal temperature
Basal temperature (BT) reflects fluctuations in body temperature depending on the production of certain hormones, including sex hormones. It is measured in the anus and differs from the temperature that is determined in the armpit.
BBT must be measured starting from the first day of the cycle, every day at approximately the same time. You should prepare a medical thermometer in advance, put it in the immediate vicinity of the bed. In the morning, without getting out of bed, you should lead him into the anus. Measurements are carried out for 5 minutes. Then the thermometer is removed and the indicator is recorded in the table.
Normally, BT has two phases. In the first half of the cycle, it is below 37.0̊, in the second - above this level:
- from day 1 of the cycle until the end of menstruation, BT consistently decreases from 37.0 to 36.3-36.5̊;
- before ovulation, BBT may additionally drop by 0.1-0.2̊ within 1-2 days;
- during ovulation, BBT rises sharply and stays within 37.0-37.4̊ during phase II; the duration of this period should be at least 12-14 days.
- 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation, BT begins to drop again to 37.0̊.
The difference between the level of BT in the first and second phases should be at least 0.4-0.5̊. The presence of such a rise indicates that ovulation has occurred. If there was no ovulation, the BT schedule will be monotonous.
Folliculometry
One of the most accurate methods for determining ovulation and favorable days for conception is ultrasound. The maturing egg is monitored by ultrasound in dynamics. Reaching a certain size (16-20 mm) indicates upcoming ovulation.
The fact that ovulation has occurred is judged by the presence of the following ultrasound signs:
- the disappearance of a large follicle;
- identification of the corpus luteum;
- the presence of free fluid in the pelvis.
If at least one of these signs is detected according to the ultrasound, then ovulation has occurred, and you have 3 most favorable days for conception - hurry up!
Why is there no ovulation?
It should be noted that even an absolutely healthy woman does not always ovulate: 1-2 cycles per year can be anovulatory. You should be on your guard if most of your cycles go without ovulation or not at all. Problems with ovulation often lead to infertility. Therefore, you should contact a gynecologist in a timely manner in order to be examined and eliminate the identified problems.
The main reasons for the lack of ovulation are: dyshormonal diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia), autoimmune processes (endometriosis, hypothyroidism), sudden weight loss, stress, etc.
With timely treatment, any violations can be identified and eliminated. And you can always "catch" your ovulation!
Preparation of expectant mothers for conception and pregnancy is carried out on a remote online course at the "SCHOOL OF WOMAN'S HEALTH OLGA PANKOVA". The training is carried out by myself.
During the course, we will draw up your individual examination and medical preparation schedule, as well as write down the path of motherhood in the depths of your subconscious. Nothing gets in the way of meeting your baby!
This miracle happens every 30 days, and those who dream of motherhood are looking forward to their time. It is called ovulation, when the mature egg is ready for the birth of a new life. In these 36 hours, a woman’s character, manner of dressing, and even the attitude of those around her incredibly change.
Signs of ovulation
To better understand the process of ovulation, let's turn to the imagination. Imagine a sac (follicle) with one seed - an egg selected for fertilization from hundreds of thousands of its kind. The follicle begins to grow in the ovaries in the first days of menstruation. At first, its diameter is less than a millimeter, and two weeks after the start of the menstrual cycle, having increased 20 times - to the size of a grape - it already sticks out of the ovary wall. At this time, the body intensively produces the hormone estrogen, and as soon as its level in the body begins to go off scale, the lutein-stimulating hormone (LH) is sharply activated. In women, it is responsible for the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the formation of sex hormones, in men it stimulates the synthesis of testosterone.Approximately 12 days after the onset of menstruation, a sharp rise in LH levels causes the egg to rapidly break through the wall of the ovary into the abdominal cavity. This process is called ovulation - from the Latin ovum - egg. It lasts 36 hours - this is how long an egg cell needs to select exactly half of the chromosomes from its nucleus - 23 carriers of the genetic code. The same amount of sperm will bring with it to create a full-fledged cell with 46 chromosomes. In order for it to happen for sure, it is best to plan sexual intercourse in a three-day interval: the day before the expected ovulation, on day “X” and the next day. Why so few? After leaving the follicle, the egg lives from 24 to 36 hours, and the sperm cell lives only half a day longer.
Ovum in a Taxi
From the surface of the ovary, a fertilized egg, like a lady in a taxi, cilia from the fallopian tube - fibria - are delivered to the tube itself. From there, she herself moves into the uterus. If there are congestions in the fallopian tube or, conversely, loopholes, the woman is at risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Take note: ovulation zones usually alternate - the egg matures in one or the other ovary. But if one of them is removed, the remaining organ takes over the entire process. Do not worry: the ability to fertilize from this is not at all lower. Absolute sterility in our country begins 48 hours after ovulation, continuing until the beginning of the next ovulatory cycle.Why is there no ovulation?
But what if you are not pregnant, not in the menopause period and are generally alive, but ovulation does not come in any way? It turns out that the ability to conceive depends on the time of year and even on the length of daylight hours. Scientists evolutionarily tracked that the Eskimo women during the polar night stopped the ability to ovulate and they temporarily became infertile. So nature fought against the inferior development of eggs in adverse conditions and the appearance of children with congenital disorders of the body. This phenomenon disappeared from modern women of the Arctic Circle as soon as civilization reached it.Other causes of ovulation disorders are stress, fear of pregnancy, career infertility of a business lady. The ability to ovulate is affected not only by the psychological mood, but also by the physical condition: if a girl weighs much below the norm, this can cause a failure in ovulation, since the reverse process of turning from a girl into a girl starts. This problem often threatens fashion models or those who are obsessively trying to lose weight. If you eat right, do not strive to look like a concentration camp prisoner, live in comfortable conditions and do not lift sleepers instead of dumbbells, everything should work out with ovulation.
Ovulation time
For those who dream of becoming a mother, 36 hours of ovulation is a time not to be missed. Today, you can determine the date of ovulation at home using a calendar, thermometer or test, as well as in the clinic using ultrasound. Each method is based on the changes that occur during ovulation: cycle length calculations, temperature jump after ovulation, changes in hormone levels.Calendar
essence: mathematical calculations.A plus: cheap and easy
Minus: errors in calculations due to the changing cycle.
You have in your hands not just a square of paper, but a strategic action map on which you need to calculate how many days your cycle lasts and divide this figure by two. This is the approximate day of ovulation. Count cycles from the first day of menstruation to the first day of the next. Since they may not be the same, you have to analyze at least four or six in a row to come up with an average result. But if you plan to avoid pregnancy by calculating "dangerous days", be careful: as a result of stress, a change of partner or daily routine, the onset of ovulation can not only shift, but additional ovulation is also possible, when not one, but two eggs mature in one menstrual cycle . “You can confirm your suspicions about Day X by observing changes in the body. The peak of abundant mucous secretions, after which there is a period of "dryness", and there is a day of ovulation.
Ours will also help you calculate ovulation. Enter your details and the calendar will show favorable days for conception.
Basal (or basic) temperature
essence: monitoring the difference in internal temperatureA plus: convenient and cost-free
Minus: not suitable for teenage girls during hormonal changes and women taking oral contraceptives - the temperature will not be indicative.
A change in basal temperature is one of the main signs of ovulation. Before ovulation occurs, it is always below 37 degrees. Immediately after the release of the egg, the mercury column of the thermometer begins to rise by 0.2-0.5 degrees to the level of 37.6-38.6 and stays at this level for 3 days in a row. This is the period of the best conception. The temperature is called basal (internal) because it is almost not affected by environmental factors. You can keep the thermometer in your mouth, vagina or rectum - whichever method suits you best, as long as it does not change throughout the cycle. Hold an ordinary thermometer for at least five minutes, and a digital one should ring in a minute. Take measurements in the morning after three hours of sleep in a row, without getting out of bed and preferably at the same time. Observations should be carried out regularly for at least three months from the first day of one menstruation to the next. “At different phases of the menstrual cycle, the level of hormones is not the same, which give different temperatures,” explains Sergey Kidalov. “The elevated temperature is the result of the work of the hormone progesterone, which produces heat.”
Ovulation test
essence: analysis of ovulation hormones in urine or salivaA plus: result in five minutes
Minus: high price of tests (30-35 dollars) and the need for strict application 2 times a day without gaps
Testing can begin two days before the expected ovulation at any time of the day. As soon as the first positive result is recorded, wait for the release of the egg within a day.
Urine tests
They look like bags with a strip of paper inside. Usually there are five in a set. The strips are jet, which must be substituted under a stream of urine for 5 seconds, and regular strip strips, the same as pregnancy tests. The latter are lowered into the urine container to the limit line with arrows for 30 seconds, and the result is evaluated in a minute. When ovulation occurs, the test line is darker or similar in brightness to the control line on the test. If the result is negative, the test line is lighter than the control line or there is only one control line. If there is no control line at all, testing is considered erroneous. Be sure to store the strip strips in a dry place - due to humidity, the accuracy of the readings may be impaired. This method is the most simple, accurate and therefore popular.Saliva tests
They come in the form of a mirror, magnifying glass or lipstick with an indicator inside. All this should be spit on. A special indicator will react to the composition of saliva, and after 10-30 minutes you will see the results. About the onset of ovulation, a drawing resembling fern leaves should speak. It can be compared with the photo that is attached to the test. True, each of us has our own ideas about the fern, so there are often difficulties with interpretation. It is for this reason that women rarely practice saliva tests.Ultrasound Monitoring
essence: medical observations of the growth of follicles on an ultrasound machineA plus: one of the most accurate methods for determining favorable days for conception, it suits absolutely everyone.
Minus A: takes time: you will have to visit the clinic on the seventh day after the end of your period.
In the clinic, using a vaginal probe on an ultrasound machine, the doctor will determine whether your follicles are maturing and in which of the ovaries. And then every 2-3 days, using the same method, he will continue to observe how the follicles grow, whether there is one among them that is going to ovulate, and predict the timing of the release of the egg.
Ovulation time - hunting time
We are all a bit of a predator, and during ovulation it is visible to the naked eye. Domestic scientists have noticed: these days we like to dress catchy, attracting partners, and not some inferior ones, but macho ones with high-quality genes.The Americans say: during ovulation, we can cheat on a permanent boyfriend, and, in fact, there is nothing to blame us for: the call of nature!
The Czechs note: strippers earn twice as much during the release of the egg.
The Belgians state: on the days that are best for conception, we can hardly restrain ourselves from caustic remarks to all other representatives of the weaker sex. They annoy us by the very fact of their presence - why should a woman compete in finding a partner!
So we, ladies, signal with all our behavior to the slow-witted male community: I'm ovulating, I'm ready for procreation! And in this hunting fervor, we already pay less attention to side ovulatory symptoms: pulling pains in the lower abdomen, clear mucous discharge from the cervix and a suddenly conscious desire to eat something exotic. Do you think men don't notice? No matter how: when their “halves” ovulate, the representatives of the stronger sex have a subconscious desire to give them armfuls of flowers and take them to the coolest restaurants. The male intuitively feels that his “prey” can be taken away by another successor of the genus, and is ready to defend his rights with teeth and claws. Psychologists characterize his behavior at this time as "dominant" - the behavior of a man who is able to achieve his own: both in his personal life and in his career. So it is useful to know the day of ovulation for both you and him.
Sergey KIDALOV, gynecologist
How to determine ovulation
To determine ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary), various methods are used: calculation according to the calendar, measuring basal temperature, monitoring changes in the body and special tests.
Calendar calculation. Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next menstruation, and you can calculate this time by counting back 14 days from the date of the expected menstruation. Since this method is approximate, and ovulation can occur earlier or later by a couple of days, when planning a pregnancy, a 5-day period is allocated that is favorable for conception. This is due to the fact that spermatozoa can remain in a woman's genitals for several days (usually 3-5, rarely up to 6-7) and "wait" for ovulation. This period begins 3 days from the calculated date of ovulation. That is, to determine the beginning of a favorable period, from the date of the expected menstruation, 17 days should be counted back, and from that time, attempts to conceive should be made for 5 days (1 time per day or every other day).
Watch for signs of ovulation. Before ovulation, a transparent, viscous mucus begins to stand out from the cervix. This mucus can be seen on underwear or during urination, but self-examination can be done: insert cleanly washed index and middle fingers into the vagina and capture as much of the contents of the vagina as possible, and then check the mucus for distensibility. Immediately before ovulation, the mucus is absolutely transparent and stretches by more than 5 cm. A day after ovulation, the mucus becomes small, it becomes cloudy and stretches by less than 5 cm. About 20% of women experience ovulatory pain - pain in the lower abdomen on the right or left. Pain can be short-lived, but can last 1-3 days, intensify at the time of ovulation, and even be accompanied by a feeling of tearing and outflow of fluid. Sometimes a small amount of blood is released along with the mucus. When planning a pregnancy, attempts at conception should begin as soon as distensible mucus appears, and end when signs indicate that it has already occurred.
basal temperature. Basal temperature is measured in the mouth, vagina or rectum with a regular or special thermometer every morning, without getting out of bed, for 5 minutes. A prerequisite is at least 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep before measuring basal temperature. The measurement starts from the first day of menstruation and is carried out during 2-3 menstrual cycles. On the day of ovulation, the basal temperature decreases slightly, and the next day it rises and remains elevated during the second phase, decreasing again just before menstruation. A sign of ovulation is the difference in the average temperature in the first and second phases: in the second phase it is 0.25-0.5 degrees higher. By finding out on which day of the cycle ovulation occurs, you can try to conceive within 3 days before the expected ovulation, including the day of ovulation itself.
Ovulation test. There are two types of ovulation test: 1) urine test and 2) saliva test. The first determines the presence in the urine of luteinizing hormone (LH) - a substance that is produced in the pituitary gland and causes ovulation (rupture of a mature follicle). From the beginning of the menstrual cycle, LH is produced in a small amount, but as soon as the follicle matures in the ovary, the level of LH increases many times, which is called peak secretion, or "leap". In response to an increase in the concentration of LH, after 12-36 hours, the follicle in the ovary ruptures and the egg is released. An ovulation test determines the “jump” of LH by the concentration of this hormone in the urine and gives a positive result in the form of two strips, and the second strip should correspond in brightness to the first, control one. To calculate the start time of testing, you need to add the usual duration of your menstrual cycle (the period from the beginning of one period to the beginning of another) to the date of the last menstruation and mark this date on the calendar. Then count back 16 days from this date, and you will get the date when you need to start testing. Read the instructions carefully before starting the test. If the instruction suggests collecting urine in a jar and lowering the tablet into it or substituting it under a stream of urine, then this is exactly what you need to do. It is also necessary to carefully count the time of contact of the tablet with urine, according to the instructions. The test can be done at any time of the day. A prerequisite is the observance of the 24-hour interval between tests, i.e. The test must be taken exactly at the same time each day. It is equally important not to use the first morning urine for the test, because. it is usually concentrated, and the test may react to LH, mistaking it for a “jump” when, in fact, there is no “jump” yet. A sign of a "jump" in LH and, accordingly, the upcoming ovulation is the first positive test result after a negative previous one. As soon as you get a positive result, you should stop further testing and immediately start trying to conceive (sexual intercourse once a day) and continue them for 2-3 days.
Ovulation tests that use saliva are different from urine tests. The saliva test is a device that allows you to examine saliva under magnification and observe its change before ovulation. It has been established that before the follicle ruptures, it produces a large amount of the hormone estradiol, which affects the content of sodium ions in saliva and thereby changes its structure. 2-3 days before ovulation, the phenomenon of “crystallization” is observed in saliva, and if it is applied to glass and examined under a microscope after drying, then its pattern resembles fern leaves. The test begins 3 days before the expected ovulation. To do this, 17 days are subtracted from the date of the expected menstruation, and not 16, as in the case of a urine test. The study is carried out every day at the same time, regardless of the time of day. The appearance of "fern leaves" signals the onset of ovulation in the next three days.
Ovulation tests are 98% reliable. A false negative result (ovulation occurs but the test does not indicate it) may be due to excess fluid intake in the case of a urine test, and a false positive result (test indicates ovulation when it is not) may be due to the test with the first morning urine or hormonal disorders.
