THE BASICS OF OVULATION FROM A DENVER FERTILITY CLINIC

The Menstrual Cycle

If fertilization does not occur, the egg – together with the endometrium (lining of the uterus) – are excreted in the form of bleeding. This bleeding is called menstruation (period).The menstrual cycle is an interval between two periods. The distance between two menstrual cycles is most frequent between 21 to 35 days. The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases:

• The follicular phase – This is the phase of growth and maturation of follicles and egg cells (oocytes). The follicular phase begins with the first day of menstruation and ends with egg cell maturation and ovulation. It usually lasts from 10 to 14 days.
• Ovulatory phase- This phase lasts between 1 and 2 days. At this stage, the oocyte comes out of the follicle in a process termed as ovulation.
• Luteal phase – This phase of the cycle lasts usually 12 to 16 days. After ovulation, and under the influence of LH, the corpus luteum develops and produces progesterone. Progesterone and estrogen stimulate the endometrium to prepare a thick layer of blood vessels, in which the fertilized oocyte can attach and develop further. If the oocyte gets fertilized, then that layer of blood vessels is transformed in the placenta.

The Ovulation Calendar

Women who want to get pregnant should keep track of their menstrual cycle. You can make use of a tool, called the Ovulation Calendar, which is available on many health-related websites, such as WebMD. The ovulation calendar helps women to determine the fertile days, which is when it is possible to conceive. According to the ovulation calendar, women can determine useful facts such as:

• Which days women are most fertile.
• How women can increase the chances to give birth to a baby girl.
• How women can increase the chances to give birth to a baby boy.
• Which is the earliest date when a woman can use a home pregnancy test.

Tracking Ovulation

There are many symptoms that can help keep track of fertile days and ovulation.

• Cervical mucus and body temperature – One means of tracking ovulation involves the variability of mucus as well as the measurement of body temperature. Body temperature should be measured in the morning after awakening, and changes should be recorded. The temperature is lowest before the ovulation, and then after ovulation, it increases. A woman’s body temperature decreases again the day before a period. If there is a pregnancy, temperature will continue to rise a bit more.
• LH level evaluation – Tests for measuring the levels of LH is based on the appearance and increase of LH hormone. Increase of LH hormone indicates that the ovulation occur for 36 hours. This test is similar to the pregnancy test.
• Determination of fertile days – The first symptom of fertile days is reinforcement of vaginal discharge. During ovulation, vaginal discharge is slippery, transparent, and stretchable. On the other hand, vaginal discharge is sticky and white, when there is no ovulation.
• Monitoring libido – Many women claim to have stronger libido in fertile days. This can be an indicator of fertile days. Also, some women, during their fertile days, look and feel great.
• Monitoring pelvic discomfort – About 1/3^rd of women feel some kind of pain in the lower abdomen area. That’s where the ovaries are located. Oocytes pass through the fallopian tube, and that results in pain.

Best Time to Conceive

To get pregnant, woman should have sexual intercourse one or two days before ovulation and 24 hours after ovulation. Sperm cells remain alive for two to three days in female genital organ. An oocyte can survive only 24 hours after ovulation. If a woman has sexual intercourse near the time of ovulation, that increases the chance of conceiving.

These are the basic issues related to ovulation. Almost all ovulation problems can be classified in accordance with the division of ovulatory disorders, published by the World Health Organization (WHO). If there is any problem with ovulation, the couple should always consult a fertility doctor for help.