When Does Ovulation Occur

When does ovulation occur? By being able to answer this question, you have already increased your chances of success in getting pregnant. Scientific studies have shown that couples trying to conceive were far more successful if they had intercourse just before ovulation. To fully understand when you ovulate, it is necessary to review the female menstrual cycle.

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We are born with all of our eggs already present in our body. Through hormonal changes that develop during puberty, these eggs mature and are released one at a time, heading into the fallopian tubes. Ovulation is defined as the release of an egg from its follicle in one of a woman's two ovaries', and includes egg maturation. This process is controlled by hormones that come from the ovaries, the pituitary gland and an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. Estrogen levels start to climb, followed by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) right before ovulation occurs. These hormonal changes help the egg to mature inside its protective sac, called a follicle. Then, the egg is released and makes its way into the fallopian tubes. Should there happen to be sperm present in the tube, fertilization may occur. Following fertilization, pregnancy usually results.

Ovulation occurs in the middle of a woman's cycle. For women that have 28 days between each period, day 14 is approximately when you will ovulate. In other words, 14 days after the day your last period started, is around when you will ovulate.

Experts recommend that women who have longer cycles need a different strategy to calculate ovulation time. In this case, they say to subtract 18 days from the total number of days in your shortest cycle. Then, when your next period starts, add the remainder. So, if it was 36 days between one period starting and the next, subtract 18. This leaves the number 18. Then, 18 days from the start of your next period is when your window of ovulation will probably occur. Signs that ovulation is not normal include irregular or missed periods, and this can result from disorders such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis or previous surgery for ectopic pregnancy resulting in blocked tubes. Uterine fibroids or some sort of physical problem with the uterus can also prevent normal ovulation.

There are some signs that ovulation is about to, or has already occurred. Some women feel abdominal cramping or back pain during ovulation. Cervical discharge becomes clear and slippery, rather than cloudy and sticky. There are increased levels of salt in your saliva, which can be observed with magnification once saliva dries on a slide. There are also chemical markers from increased hormone levels in urine, and there are some changes in temperature right before and immediately after ovulation. These can all be tested and recorded at home.

There are other methods to detect ovulation that do require a visit to the doctor. The follicle housing the immature egg can be measured for growth using transvaginal ultrasound. Generally, this involves having a probe inserted in the vagina, but it can also be placed on the abdomen and is generally a painless procedure. Blood samples can be taken to examine a hormone called progesterone. Progesterone rises sharply around a week before ovulation, as opposed to LH which rises immediately before. Finally, a biopsy, or small sample of the endometrium can be tested to see if hormone levels show that ovulation has happened. This test is more invasive as a small piece of tissue has to be extracted from the uterus right before the start of your period. It is an office procedure though, and does not require a hospital stay.

The most simple and cost effective approach is to track your periods and try to determine when you ovulate through calendars and ovulation charts. There are also home kits available to help you monitor your hormone levels, and to examine your mucus for changes caused by ovulation. Try a simple approach for at least a year before taking a trip to the doctor for extra help in conceiving. Then, if you are still having difficulty it may be time to seek medical help. A great first step in the simple approach is to chart your ovulation, or monitor your body for tell-tale signs of ovulation, so you'll never have to ask yourself when does ovulation occur.