Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen It OccursTracking OvulationIrregularity CausesAfter an HCG InjectionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When It Occurs
Tracking Ovulation
Irregularity Causes
After an HCG Injection
When to See a Provider
Ovulationoccurs when hormonal changes in the body signal theovariesto release a mature egg. Ovulation is a phase of themenstrual cycle. Most people who menstruate ovulate every month.
The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days but it is normal to have a shorter or longer cycle.In some people, a chronic health condition can cause changes in the menstrual cycle and ovulation.
This article explains how to track ovulation based on different cycle lengths.
Hormones and Your Menstrual Cycle
When Does Ovulation Occur?
Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation happens in two phases after the menstrual period. It prepares the body for conception.
During ovulation, the body experiences hormonal changes that signal the ovaries to release a mature egg. The level ofluteinizing hormone (LH)rises and causes the follicle in the ovary to swell and rupture.
The exact timing of ovulation varies for everyone. For people with a 28-day cycle, ovulation usually occurs around day 14.The first day of the menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period.
Everything to Know About Menstruation
When Is Ovulation Week for Atypical Cycle Lengths?
Ovulation usually lasts about 12 to 24 hours. It may be helpful to track yourmenstrual cycle phasesto recognize when you’re ovulating.
People takingbirth controldo not ovulate. Most people begin ovulating again after stopping birth control for one month.
How to Track Your Ovulation Patterns
What Are the Signs of Ovulation?
Body Cues
Most people who menstruate experience some bodily changes leading up to, during, or after ovulation. These changes may include:
Ovulation Without a PeriodIt is possible to ovulate when you don’t have a period.
Ovulation Without a Period
It is possible to ovulate when you don’t have a period.
Trackers and Apps
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of two cycle-tracking apps as contraceptive devices:Natural CyclesandClue. These apps track your menstrual phases and estimate when ovulation is most likely to occur.
Ovulation Monitors
The different types of ovulation monitors include:
Causes of Early, Delayed, and Irregular Ovulation
Anovulationoccurs when a person does not ovulate regularly. A person may not menstruate or ovulate regularly due to several possible causes.
Chronic health conditions that may cause irregular or absent ovulation include:
Ovulation Timing After HCG Injection
If you are currently going throughassisted reproductive technologyto become pregnant, you may receive aninjection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)to stimulate ovulation. HCG is a hormone that increases during pregnancy.
An HCG injection mimics the body’s luteinizing hormone surge and causes the ovaries to release a mature egg for fertilization.
A 2020 study found thatintrauterine insemination(sperm is introduced to the uterus via a thin catheter tube) was significantly more successful when performed 42 hours after the HCG injection, as opposed to 36 hours after the injection. Talk with your healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks of HCG injections for fertility treatments.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It is normal to have a menstrual cycle that is shorter or longer than 28 days. A normal cycle usually lasts 24 to 38 days. If your cycle is shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days, see a healthcare provider.
See a healthcare provider if you have been trying to conceive for more than a year or if you are 35 or older and have been trying for six months.
Notify your healthcare provider if you have experienced a change in your menstrual cycle, such as heavier bleeding or missed periods. These symptoms could be a sign of a chronic health condition. Missed periods can be a sign of pregnancy.
Summary
Ovulation is the process of the ovaries releasing a mature egg each month. Ovulation is a phase in the menstrual cycle and usually occurs in the middle of the cycle. People with a 28-day cycle likely ovulate around day 14. If your cycle is longer or shorter than 28 days, your ovulation day may vary.
Ovulation usually lasts about 12 to 24 hours. If you are trying to conceive, most healthcare providers recommend having sexual intercourse right after ovulation has occurred.
To track your ovulation days, consider keeping track of your menstrual cycle with an app or calendar. You may also want to try an ovulation monitor that tests your urine for hormone level fluctuations.
19 Sources
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