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Ovulation is the human body’s way of allowing us to reproduce; without it, pregnancy would be impossible. When a woman ovulates, her body is laying the ground work for her to become pregnant and bring forth new life.
When an ovary releases an egg, that's ovulation. It will usually occur on the fourteenth day of a menstrual cycle -- if a woman’s cycle typically lasts for 28 days. Many women don't have this so-called "normal" cycle, some are longer, some are shorter and some are quite unpredictable. With irregular cycles, ovulation can sometimes be more difficult to track.
During ovulation, the egg travels down a fallopian tube and is ready for fertilization to take place. This happens on average once a month to any woman who menstruates.
But you knew all that.
Here are 10 things you may not know about ovulation:
1) Cervical fluid changes during the menstrual cycle.
Cervical fluid goes through changes every cycle, from absent, to sticky, to wet and white, to something similar to egg whites. Where cervical fluid is absent a woman is at her least fertile. When fluid most resembles egg whites she is most fertile. This change can help determine when ovulation will occur.
This will happen to varying degrees for different women. The day of ovulation is the day of the highest production of this cervical fluid.
2) Changes in cervical fluid around the time of ovulation assist sperm toward their goal.
As the cervical fluid becomes more wet, it helps propel sperm toward the egg for fertilization. Its makeup also protects the sperm in the process.
3) Changes to the cervix can take place.
During ovulation the cervix is going to be softened, higher, open and more lubricated with clear, slippery vaginal secretions. A woman is not necessarily going to be aware of this change as it occurs.
4) Women are more sensitive to smell during ovulation.
When ovulating, women have a much more heightened sense of smell. Many women often know they are ovulating when they notice more scents. Other senses, including vision and taste, may be heightened during ovulation as well.
5) When more than one egg is released, more than one baby can result.
If two or more eggs are released by the ovaries, fraternal twins, triplets or higher multiples can be conceived.
6) Over-the-counter ovulation kits can help you know when you are ovulating.
With an ovulation kits, you test your urine for the rise in hormones that is associated with ovulation.
An increase in luteinizing hormone, also called LH, triggers the release of an egg. The test can tell you whether this rise has occurred. You can test for LH using a urine test as well.
7) Breastfeeding may, under certain circumstances, prevent ovulation.
For some women, breastfeeding can be a more natural form of birth control after having a baby. While breastfeeding, the body does not create the hormone that is necessary for ovulation and helps eggs become mature and fertile, according to Planned Parenthood.
However, breastfeeding must be done frequently for this hormone to be suppressed, and this option does not work for all women. The only way to be certain of avoiding pregnancy is to use some form of birth control.
8) If you're tracking ovulation and trying to get pregnant, you may have more time than you think.
Eggs live 12-24 hours once out of the ovary. And after fertilization, an egg can take up to 12 days after ovulation to become implanted on the uterus and for a pregnancy to officially take place.
9) Contraceptive pills stop the process of ovulation.
When you take a birth control pill, the hormones within them – estrogen and progestin – hold eggs back from leaving the ovary. If eggs are not released, sperm then have nothing to fertilize.
Emergency contraceptive pills will delay ovulation by preventing the release of an egg to sperm that may be in a woman’s body. They do not abort a pregnancy if conception has already taken place.
10) Whether you normally have a high or low libido, around ovulation is when you are most likely to be at your peak sex drive.
Women are more likely to be interested in sex, and have greater blood flow to the genitals, causing greater arousal during ovulation. Thoughts may be more erotic, masturbation may be more frequent at this time. If you have a tendency to flirt it may be more pronounced now.
These changes may not pertain to women on contraceptive pills as they do not ovulate.
If you are trying to get pregnant, being aware of your cycle and when you ovulate can help. Knowing when you ovulate can help you determine when you can and cannot become pregnant.
If you have been tracking ovulation, but are having a difficult time getting pregnant, there are several option that can help with conception. The Stork® OTC is an over-the-counter option that may optimize chances of conception and can be used in privacy of your own home.
The Stork® OTC is FDA-cleared for common fertility issues in both men and women including low sperm count, motility issues, unexplained infertility, and unfavorable vaginal environment. The Stork OTC can be purchased at several store locations. Enter code 10STORKOTC at check-out to save $10 on the product. To learn more, visit: http://www.storkotc.com/
Sources:
Should I look for any particular ovulation signs if I'm hoping to conceive? http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/ovulation-signs/faq-20058000
Understanding Ovulation http://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/understanding-ovulation
Signs Of Ovulation http://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/signs-of-ovulation
Pregnancy - identifying fertile days http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007015.htm
Having Twins http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Having-Twins
Should I look for any particular ovulation signs if I'm hoping to conceive? http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/ovulation-signs/faq-20058000
Ovulation home test http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007062.htm
Contraceptive Effect of Lactation http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/565623_3
Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601050.html
How the Menstrual Cycle Affects Women's Libido https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-sex/201503/how-the-menstrual-cycle-affects-womens-libido
Breastfeeding as Birth Control. Planned Parenthood. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/breastfeeding
Reviewed June 8, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN