What is Ovulation?
Ovulation occurs during the monthly menstrual cycle, when one or more eggs are released from one of your ovaries.
The eggs are released into the fallopian tubes and uterus, where they are ready for fertilization by sperm.
There are many changes that occur in a woman’s body around the time of ovulation.
Monitoring your body on a daily basis for these changes during your cycle can help you identify your ovulation period.
When am I Fertile? What is my fertile window?
The fertile window starts 5 days before ovulation, up to the day of ovulation.
A released egg can survive for up to 24 hours and sperm can survive inside a woman’s body for up to 7 days.
How do I track my ovulation?
Here are some changes that can help you track your ovulation:
1) Body temperature
Your body temperature is lower in the first half of your cycle and rises around the time of ovulation. It remains elevated after ovulation and falls again just before your next period.
It’s important to note though, that many factors can affect body temperature readings, such as illness, and use of medicines.
2) Cervical secretions (cervical mucus)
Your cervical mucus changes according to your menstrual cycle.
Just after the end of your period, your cervical mucus is at its minimum. As your body approaches ovulation, the secretions increase and appear as sticky white/off white mucus in the vaginal tract.
Just before ovulation occurs, mucus production is at its maximum, and you may notice translucent white, or clear mucus, that is slippery to touch, and has the consistency of egg white.
After the ovulation, the cervical mucus production reduces and changes back to off white/sticky, before tailing off as you lead up to your next period.
3) Menstrual Calendar
Monitoring your menstrual dates and cycle length can help you predict your ovulation
For women with regular menses, ovulation typically occurs around the middle of the cycle. Manually counting your dates, or the use of a fertility and menstrual app can help to predict the timing of your ovulation.
This method may not work so well for women with irregular menses – if your cycle length is variable, seek your doctor’s advice.
4) Use of ovulation predictor kits
Ovulatory prediction kits are available in pharmacies. These kits detect a hormone called Luteinising Hormone (LH), which rises 1-2 days prior to the ovulation, in your urine.
The ovulation prediction kits usually come as a set of 5 or 7, and the urine test is performed once a day, preferably in the afternoon or evening.
The test usually is positive only one day of the cycle and indicates that ovulation is about to occur.
(This article is written by Our Guest writer Dr Mastura Shahrum)
Take care gals!
Dr. Mastura Shahrum
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