All About Ovulation

If you’re trying to get pregnant, ovulation is key. This is the process every month where an egg is released from your ovaries and travels down your fallopian tubes, ready to be fertilized by sperm. If everything goes according to plan, your egg will meet up with a sperm cell and conception will occur. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, it’s important to understand how ovulation works and when it occurs. Keep reading to learn more about this crucial step in the reproductive process.

What is Ovulation?
Ovulation is the release of an egg from one of your ovaries. Just before ovulation occurs, your brain’s pituitary gland releases a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). This surge in LH triggers the release of the egg from your ovary. Once the egg is released, it travels down your fallopian tube towards your uterus. If you have sex during this time and sperm enters your vagina, there’s a chance that the sperm could fertilize the egg as it’s traveling down your fallopian tube.

When Does Ovulation Occur?
Ovulation typically occurs around day 14 of your menstrual cycle, but this can vary depending on the length of your cycle. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, you’ll probably ovulate around day 14. But if you have a 35-day cycle, ovulation may not occur until closer to day 21.

To figure out when you’re going to ovulate, you can keep track of your cycle on a calendar or use a fertility app. Many women also look for physical signs of ovulation like changes in their cervical mucus or increased breast tenderness.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, having sex around the time of ovulation is key. You can increase your chances by having sex every other day starting about five days before you expect to ovulate.
If you’re not trying to get pregnant, you may want to avoid having sex during this time or use birth control if you do have sex since it’s easy to become pregnant during ovulation.