When Do You Ovulate?

Ovulation is the most fertile time of a woman's menstrual cycle, wherein the ovary releases a mature egg. The released egg is swept in to the Fallopian tube, that leads it towards the uterus.

In order to conceive, the woman must have sexual intercourse during the period extending from 1 to 2 days before ovulation to 24 hours afterward. Since the sperm cells can survive 2 to 3 days and the egg, not more than 24 hours after ovulation, it is the most fruitful time for fertilization to occur.

Usually, ovulation occurs between the 12th and 14th day of the menstrual cycle. However, the date of ovulation may vary from one woman to another, on the basis of their cycle. However, increase in cervical fluid discharge, rise in basal body temperature, mild abdominal cramping or pain, etc., are some common indications of ovulation.

It can be said that ovulation occurs around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.

The date of ovulation is determined primarily on the basis of the number of days in your menstrual cycle. For instance, if you have a regular 28-day cycle, you may ovulate around the 14th day after your period (or prior to the date of your next period).

Likewise, if you have a 21-day cycle, and you bleed for 7 days, then you may ovulate right after your period. In that case, ovulation may happen anywhere between the 6th and 10th day of your cycle. If you have an irregular period, you need to rely on other methods like ovulation prediction kits that will help you know when you are going to ovulate.

During pregnancy, the body releases a hormone called hCG, which suppresses production of certain pituitary hormones that stimulate ovulation. The hCG level drops after the fetal tissue and placenta are removed during miscarriage. However, the hormone remains in the system for a week or two, till the bleeding and spotting stop completely.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, the hCG level becomes 0 after 4 to 6 weeks from the miscarriage date. This time frame may vary according to the value of hCG present before the miscarriage. If you had a spontaneous miscarriage without any prolonged bleeding or other symptoms, you may start ovulating within 2 to 4 weeks after the miscarriage.

You may get the next period in 4 to 6 weeks. Sometimes, ovulation may not occur during that cycle. It's better to avoid getting pregnant for at least 4 to 6 months after a miscarriage. However, the best way to know if you are ovulating or not is to buy an ovulation kit or count the days or have a blood test to confirm the date on which the ovulation starts.

The combination pills (those containing both estrogen and progesterone) work in several ways to prevent pregnancy. Most of these pills hinder ovulation, thereby preventing pregnancy. They may also thicken the cervical mucus to keep the sperm from entering the womb, and dilute the womb lining so that the fertilized egg can't implant.

Irregular compliance or intake of pills, or interference due to other medications can cause ovulation, even if the woman is taking birth control pills. Though it is difficult to say when you will ovulate, changes in vaginal discharge or cervical fluid are unlikely to be the symptoms of ovulation while you are still taking contraceptives.

After stopping the pill, it may take as few as 2 or 3 weeks or as much as several months to start ovulating. In most cases, a woman may ovulate around 2 to 3 weeks after taking her last birth control pill. In other words, she can have the natural menstrual cycle approximately 4 to 6 weeks after she stops taking the pill.

In case of women with irregular cycles before taking the pill, it is quite possible to have irregular ovulation once they stop the medication. Moreover, having a period soon after you stop taking the pill doesn't mean that you have ovulated, as sometimes it may take a few more weeks or months before you are actually fertile again.

Ovulation after childbirth depends on various factors, the most important being breastfeeding. This is because of the elevated level of estrogen in the body. Research shows that for breastfeeding moms, ovulation and menstruation can get delayed for 20 weeks or more, after childbirth.

In some women, such delay may extend up to a year or so, in case of frequent around-the-clock feedings. However, a woman who is not breastfeeding the baby, can expect her period in about 8 to 10 weeks.

Though it is difficult to estimate the exact time of ovulation, these tips and guidelines can help you to evaluate the approximate time. However, it is better to consult a gynecologist or opt for an ovulation prediction kit, to confirm the same.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.