We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What does It Mean to be Ovulating?

By Summer Banks
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 71,713
Share

Women are born with millions of immature eggs in preparation for the ovulation process of reproduction. Ovulation is the maturing of the female egg before it moves out of the ovary and through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. Each egg will live between 12 and 24 hours before being absorbed into the lining of the uterus. This is the body's way of telling the woman she is ready to conceive.

Ovulation typically occurs between days 11 and 21 of the menstrual cycle. Calculating the window of fertility begins on the first day of the last menstrual cycle. For instance, if a woman starts her menstrual cycle on 1 April, she will ovulate between 12 April and 22 April.

There are two phases, the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase occurs at the start of the menstrual cycle and lasts until the egg is actually released. The luteal phase begins on the same day the egg is released and lasts until the first day of the next menstrual cycle. This can be an important part of tracking conception because the egg has matured and is ready for fertilization when the woman is ovulating.

For women trying to track their fertility pattern in order to increase the chances of becoming pregnant, the luteal phase is when ovulation occurs. During this time, luteinizing hormone (LH) is released, which helps the egg to pass through the wall of the ovary and into the fallopian tube. This is when the egg is most fertile.

There are several ways to track ovulation including basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and testing kits. Each of these prediction methods require regular tracking of menstrual cycles. Once a menstrual pattern is established, predicting ovulation may be easier.

Basal body temperature, or average body temperature, will rise just a bit when ovulation begins. Temperature readings should be taken in the morning as soon as the woman awakens. Daily temperatures may have to be tracked for several months to notice the spike.

Cervical mucus will appear wet and slippery during ovulation. Women often relate the look of cervical mucus at this time to the look of egg whites. A sample of the cervical mucus can be collected by inserting an index finger into the vagina.

Prediction kits measure the amount of LH in the urine. The kits usually contain five to seven sticks. Although the LH is highest in the morning, the kits should not be used until four to six hours after waking. This is the time it takes for the hormone to pass out of the body during urination.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon957213 — On Jun 18, 2014

My partner and I had sex without protection on the 14th day after her period. Is there a chance of getting pregnant?

By Kristee — On Aug 02, 2012

I have noticed that slippery white mucus before, but I never knew its significance. It's nice to learn that it is an ovulation predictor of sorts.

Whenever I would discharge some of this mucus, I thought that I was about to start my period, because it felt like blood was moving out of me. It was usually a week or two later before I really started, though.

I would like to have a baby in the next few years. I don't know about buying kits and checking a calendar all the time, but observing cervical mucus sounds easy enough.

By seag47 — On Aug 02, 2012

@JackWhack – I'm interested in following my ovulation cycle, but for the opposite reason as your friends had. I have never wanted to have children, and I'm terrified of becoming pregnant.

I'm on birth control pills, but I know that they are not always 100% effective. So, I refuse to have intercourse with my husband while I'm ovulating. It's just too risky for me.

Kids complicate things. I like being free to do what I want when I want. I can't bear the thought of losing that freedom.

By JackWhack — On Aug 01, 2012

Several of my friends have been successful at getting pregnant during ovulation. Before they became obsessed with it, I never knew that there was any way to tell when you were most fertile.

They were always checking their calendars and purchasing kits to help them increase their chances. This paid off bigtime for them. I suppose there really is something to it.

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-ovulating.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.