You are ovulating. Signs and sensations of ovulation in a woman. Other diagnostic methods
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Ovulation is the phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the follicle into the abdominal cavity. This is how doctors define this term. What should a woman know about this important period? What are the symptoms of ovulation? How to calculate its onset?
Menstrual cycle length and ovulation
First of all, we note that ovulation in the female body is an opportunity, endowed by nature, to conceive a child. Finding the happiness of motherhood begins precisely during this important period. Without the release of an egg, it is impossible for it to be fertilized by a sperm, which means it is impossible to conceive a baby.
Each woman develops her own menstrual cycle with age. This is the number of days from the first day of menstruation to the first day of the next menstruation. Typically, girls begin menstruation or, as they are called, menstruation at 13-14 years of age, although today the timing of the onset of menstruation in girls who have begun to physically develop faster is shifting to an earlier date. Sometimes it's 9 years.
To accurately determine the date of ovulation, you should know exactly the duration of your menstrual cycle. Its normal length is from 21 to 35 calendar days. For various reasons, the cycle can be shortened or lengthened. Sometimes it crashes.
Ovulation occurs only once in the menstrual cycle. This happens in the middle of the cycle. If it lasts 28 days, then the egg is released approximately on the 13-14th day. This is the date of ovulation.
How does ovulation occur in women?
A woman has follicles in each ovary. These are small bubbles that mature every month in one of the ovaries. A fully matured “bubble” is up to 24 mm in diameter. Such a follicle is dominant, that is, it is from it that a mature egg is released during the period of ovulation.
The first phase of the cycle is called preovulatory. During this period, the follicle undergoes changes. In it, under the influence of estrogen, the level of luteinizing hormone increases. The second phase is the ovulatory phase, when the follicle ruptures and the egg is released. How long does the ovulation period last? This is approximately 48 hours. At this time, the female cell is waiting for fertilization, it is ready for conception, having entered the uterine (fallopian) tube. There she awaits her future fate, which provides for two options - fertilization or non-fertilization. If during these 48 hours a sperm enters the fallopian tube, it moves towards the egg and tries to penetrate it. A healthy sperm can do this. The process of fusion of egg and sperm continues with cell division, that is, conception.
When the egg does not wait for fertilization, it simply dies. Then, along with the endometrial layer, it is rejected - and menstrual bleeding occurs.
Systematic occurrence of ovulation
Does ovulation always occur during a regular menstrual cycle? Gynecologists have the concept of an “anovulatory cycle.” This is a cycle when ovulation simply does not occur. And this happens in completely healthy women. In most cases, ovulation occurs monthly, but anovulatory cycles occur 2-3 times a year. The ovaries can simply “rest”; the follicle in them does not mature.
You should also be aware that ovulation can be late or early.
For example, with a 28-day cycle, it can occur on the 8th day and on the 18th.
The reasons for the shift in ovulation most often in our time in women are severe stress. Experts note this. Also, shifts in the onset of ovulation occur due to poor nutrition and rhythm of life, illness and the use of hormone-containing drugs.
Symptoms of ovulation
Different women experience different signs of this important period. About 20% of girls note that this is a rather painful process for them.
Ovulation pain is similar to menstrual pain, but it is not as severe. For some girls, pain during ovulation is cramping in nature, for others it is nagging, and for others, they do not feel anything at all. Ovulation is sometimes accompanied by dizziness and nausea, fever and weakness. This is more typical for nulliparous women.
The degree of pain of ovulation is influenced by the woman’s health and the general condition of her body.
Especially for- Elena TOLOCHIK
In the female body, everything is arranged in such a way that at the moment of ovulation, fertilization and conception of a new life, as well as during the period of implantation and the first days of embryo development, there are no signals about what happened. A rare exception is sudden negative manifestations in the form of nausea or vomiting. For many women, the first sign of conception is an enlarged belly and a prolonged absence of menstruation.
In order for the signs of conception after ovulation not to become a surprise, you need to know what they are and what they depend on. Before reading the material, do not forget that each organism is individual and there are no 100% recipes, however, a general understanding of the issue will make it more likely to apply knowledge to your case and get a positive result.
Each new menstruation is a sign that the reproductive cycle has restarted and a new egg is maturing. This is a tiny cell that matures under the tough membrane of the follicle. A woman's body, upon reaching puberty, carries about 500,000 eggs, theoretically capable of conception. During their life, they gradually mature and ovulate, while others die. By the age of 60, there are only 10 - 30,000 of them left, and the woman is no longer capable of bearing children.
With the onset of menstruation, the pituitary gland produces a hormone that stimulates the development of the egg. The growth period is 14 days. Having received a “signal” that the egg is ready, the pituitary gland changes the composition of the hormone and now it promotes its release from the place of “imprisonment”. This moment is called ovulation. The egg released from the follicle ends up in the woman’s abdominal cavity, but, attracted by the hormone produced, it smoothly descends into the fallopian tube - the course of ovulation. Only after this fact can we confidently assume that the possibility of conception exists.
The path of the sperm during conception
Sperm are produced by the male glands constantly. They enter the female body during sexual intercourse with ejaculation (internal ejaculation). Once at the back wall of the vagina, “future fathers” will make a long journey to the waiting egg to conceive.
The first obstacle will be crossing the cervical canal. Already at this stage, natural selection will work, since most of the sperm will not be able to overcome it. At the moment of ejaculation, about 500,000 sperm are released, so the loss of the slowest “competitors” will be beneficial for everyone else. Only one of them will take part in conception, so they are in a hurry as best they can, since ovulation gave the egg life for only a day. For the formation of a zygote - the primary form of the embryo - two conditions must be met - ovulation of the egg and reaching it by the sperm.
Research shows that the average lifespan of a sperm in a woman's body is 48 hours. It follows from this that conception can occur if they enter the female body on the same day when ovulation occurs or during the next day after ovulation.
On the other hand, it has been established that during the period when ovulation has occurred, mucus is secreted in the vagina, which is a favorable environment for sperm to survive for a longer time, in some cases up to 7 days. Considering the path they take in a period of approximately 3 to 7 hours, conception is possible if sexual intercourse occurs between 5 days before ovulation and 8 to 10 hours before the end of the egg’s activity.
Signs of conception after ovulation
Such signs appear quite rarely and are not perceived by most women as signs of conception. Only those who are aware of the changes in the body that are caused by ovulation, conception and changes in hormonal ratios are able to feel these signs.
Most often, the first signs of conception are noticed by women who want to have a child and all previous processes are aimed at this result. Otherwise, any signs are subconsciously rejected until they become too obvious to ignore.
It is worth noting that some signs of conception may resemble ovulation. It is precisely the fact that ovulation “manifested itself” at the wrong time and draws attention to possible conception.
The main signs of conception after ovulation before implantation
Manifested in the following:
- An increase in basal temperature above the monthly average;
- An increase in general temperature by 0.5 - 1 degree, without accompanying symptoms;
- Increased fatigue, fatigue, weakness, with the same daily loads;
- Changes in the tactile sensation of the skin. They become drier or too greasy to the touch;
- Feeling of fullness or heaviness in the lower abdomen;
- Some are characterized by early toxicosis.
In the case when a woman keeps a journal of her cycles and monitors her basal temperature, changes in its amplitude will be immediately noticeable and this is due to ovulation. From a medical point of view, keeping such a journal is necessary for all women who plan to become a mother, even in middle age. In addition to determining cycle deviations and deducing the day when ovulation occurs, a full-fledged journal will immediately draw attention to diseases, female colds, and the like. It is known that earlier treatment guarantees less damage.
In the case where the log is not kept, only an ultrasound can answer reliably whether ovulation has occurred or not, however, it will not show the exact time of ovulation and the moment may be missed.
The pituitary gland produces the hormone progesterone, which converts the ruptured follicle into the corpus luteum, which produces hormones for maintaining a fertilized egg. Moreover, implantation—the fixation of the fertilized egg on the uterine wall—depends on the level of progesterone.
Interesting fact. After first ovulation and then conception, the egg turns into a zygote, before the first cell division inside. Further, after division into blastomeres, it becomes a blastocyst. Finally, after implantation into the wall of the uterus, it becomes a fertilized egg. Until the last moment, on the way to the uterus, the blastocyst is actively dividing, increasing the number of cells inside the shell, but remaining the same size externally. Successful implantation of the embryo into the wall of the uterus after ovulation and conception, as well as a long journey to the uterus, is the official start of pregnancy.
Mild colds will be a sign of conception and implantation
This is due to the fact that conception is a manifestation of a foreign body in the female body and the immune system is temporarily muted so that it does not attack the embryo. As a result, viruses and bacteria that were previously neutralized in time by the immune system can develop in the body. This is also an indirect sign of conception and implantation.
Additional signs of conception after ovulation
These signs appear against the background of hormonal changes, which puts the body on a “war footing.” For some women, this goes almost unnoticed; only mild ailments, as well as nagging pain in the lower abdomen (signs of conception), make themselves felt. Others may react extremely sharply to conception, the symptoms of which have the greatest impact on the woman’s well-being.
After accurate ovulation, signs of conception include skin rashes, acne and pimples. This is also due to hormonal changes, don’t worry, everything will get better as soon as the body compensates for the new period of life.
Ovulation is the starting point of a whole cycle of transformations that will ultimately lead to the birth of a new life. Conception, or rather the path of the zygote to the uterus and the moment of implantation, can respond with nagging pains below, reminiscent of menstrual pain, although weaker. These signs are noticeable to women who are expecting pregnancy and more closely monitor its signs after the fact of ovulation and sexual intercourse with ejaculation.
After conception, strong symptoms appear in only 7% of women. It was they who brought into the world scary stories about severe intoxication, severe nausea and vomiting on any food.
There is no point in arguing, such signs sometimes appear in a mixed format, but very rarely headaches and accompanying symptoms are superimposed on odor intolerance and nausea, and so on. That is, signs associated with a specific part of the body clearly appear.
It was also noted that complex early toxicosis more often occurs in women who decide to give birth in middle or late age. Ovulation in them is less pronounced; it becomes increasingly difficult for the body to maintain optimal conditions and respond to hormonal surges after ovulation. Therefore, the reaction to conception is much more pronounced.
In a separate line, it should be noted that after ovulation and fertilization, right up to the moment of implantation in the uterus, the zygote is very vulnerable to any interventions and malfunctions in the body. Any violation, at a sufficient level, will lead to the death of the embryo. Then the egg will not enter the uterus, but will be released during menstruation to clear space for a new attempt, because ovulation will again occur on schedule.
In other cases, when ovulation, fertilization and implantation have occurred successfully, the pregnancy develops, most often without showing signs until the moment when the expectant mother notices the most important manifestation - the absence of menstruation.
If you suspect that ovulation has ended with conception, the signs of which are quite weak, and the test shows nothing at all, the best solution would be to take blood and urine tests. The results will tell you exactly whether ovulation ended in pregnancy and will indicate its timing with an accuracy of a few days.
The original sign of a successful conception is an unreasonable change in mood. This sign is most often noticed by those around the woman, employees or loved ones. Ovulation is accompanied by the production of progesterone, which, due to circumstances, can have an effect on mood. Moreover, the change can be so immediate and dramatic that it causes discomfort and withdrawal. This symptom will soon disappear as soon as progesterone levels level out.
A clear sign that ovulation has progressed to the stage of pregnancy is the frequent urge to go to the toilet. There are several reasons for this:
- Increasing blood circulation in the pelvis, in order to saturate the area where the embryo is to develop with oxygen and nutrients. The consequence of this is that the kidneys work faster, which means you will want to go to the toilet more often;
- The same progesterone that started ovulation can cause relaxation of the urethral sphincter, which will require the woman to stay close to the toilet;
- For pregnancy periods of 7 months and above, frequent urination is the result of pressure from the stretched uterus on the bladder.
Drawing conclusions about the signs of conception
- Ovulation is the main point in the cycle, from which all other processes begin, resulting in the birth of a child;
- Signs of conception are easiest to establish when a woman keeps a diary, knows what day ovulation occurs, and counts favorable and unfavorable days for fertilization;
- For those who do not even know what ovulation is, the signs may seem unimportant, but the actual signs remain unnoticed. If the question is acute, but your own observations are not enough, take tests or do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs to establish the truth;
- A gynecologist or obstetrician will not be able to confirm the diagnosis of pregnancy earlier than 2 - 3 weeks during examination;
- Pregnancy tests will be able to confirm the fact at least 10 days after conception, not to be confused with sexual intercourse, which many take as the moment of conception. Ovulation can occur 2-5 days after ejaculation and lead to conception.
- During periods of uncertainty about the fact of pregnancy and, especially after its confirmation, do not take any pills without consulting a doctor, do not drink alcohol, nicotine and any negatively affecting allergenic products;
- If there are signs of toxicosis, try to exclude sources of intolerable odors, foods and any sources from your environment
How to determine the period of ovulation
The ovulation period is the only day in the cycle when conception is possible. That is why they are trying to calculate this date for a faster onset of pregnancy, or vice versa, in order to “protect” against it (calendar method of birth control). The presence of ovulation indicates the proper functioning of the reproductive system and its health. Now it has become clearer what the ovulation period is. But how to calculate it?
Determination methods
1. Calendar method. It is successfully used by women who scrupulously keep their menstrual calendar, that is, they mark the beginning of menstruation every month; in this situation, it is important to know exactly when your period began, and not its duration. This way you can determine the length of the menstrual cycle. It is necessary to take at least 3-4 cycles and calculate the average duration. Suppose we have calculated it, but how can we determine the ovulation period if the cycle is, for example, 28 days? As a rule, the most likely day for conception occurs exactly in the middle of the cycle. That is, in this case, most likely, this is the 14th day (± 2). However, not every month a woman’s egg matures; there are also “sterile” months. Moreover, the older the woman, the more such months there are, and the probability of pregnancy, accordingly, is less.
2. Method of measuring basal temperature. It has been practiced for several decades. When women did not yet have the opportunity to donate blood for hormones as freely and cheaply as they do now, there was no ultrasound and other things necessary for a correct diagnosis, doctors prescribed their patients (mainly those who suffered from infertility) to measure the basal temperature in the rectum and build graphs. Based on these graphs, the doctor made conclusions regarding the reason for the lack of pregnancy - insufficiency of the first or second phase of the cycle, or perhaps lack of ovulation. How can its presence or absence be determined?
The method cannot be called very simple. It is necessary to measure the temperature in the rectum throughout the entire menstrual cycle using a regular thermometer. It is very important to do this every day, immediately after waking up and getting out of bed, at the same time. It is very important to reduce the likelihood that the temperature scale will be affected by factors that are not relevant to our experiments. For example, incorrect values can be obtained in the case of a general increase in the body as a result of illness, due to sex shortly before measurements, etc. Now about the most important thing. In the first half of the cycle, the temperature does not exceed 37 degrees, or rather, it is below this mark. A few hours before the release of the egg, a slight drop in temperature can be observed, and immediately after ovulation occurs, a jump of 0.4-0.6 degrees is observed - the temperature exceeds 37 degrees. Here's how to calculate your ovulation period.
3. Ultrasound examination. Sometimes the day of ovulation needs to be known exactly, for example, when pregnancy does not occur for a long time, or for IVF (to collect eggs). That's when the ultrasound method is used. You will have to go through the procedure several times. The doctor will monitor the development of the dominant follicle (if it forms, of course). After ovulation, the follicle disappears (the membrane ruptures), and a small amount of fluid is found in the retrouterine space - this is a reliable sign that the egg has already been released to meet the sperm. Sex during ovulation for a healthy couple often ends in pregnancy.
4. Tests. There are tests not only for pregnancy, but also for ovulation. And the latter are very quickly catching up in popularity with the former. Their price is quite affordable, and the procedure is very simple, the same as in the case of diagnosing pregnancy. 2 stripes indicate the period of ovulation. But in this case, the tests only react to luteinizing hormone, which is released during this period of the menstrual cycle. Its content remains elevated for 1-2 days, and only during this time is conception possible.
5. Own feelings. There are women, although there are not many of them, who determine the period favorable for pregnancy by analyzing their own feelings. For example, pain during ovulation is not a rare symptom. They are not strong, but noticeable. Most often, the ovary where the egg was “born” hurts within a few hours after ovulation, but there are no signs of inflammation or any disease.
Another sign is discharge during ovulation. They are transparent, stretchy, but odorless and without impurities of pus. An attentive woman will definitely notice them.
And finally, the third sign is an increase in libido. Thus, nature itself takes care of the continuation of the human race.
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Ovulation is a process that occurs in almost all women of childbearing age. This is the release of a mature egg from a follicle in the ovary. Ovulation occurs once per menstrual cycle and lasts only 24 hours. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the process of ovulation, its symptoms, diagnostic methods, and find out why the cycle can be anovulatory.
What is ovulation
How does ovulation occur? When a girl is born, about a million eggs (OCs) are already laid in her ovaries. However, not all of them survive to puberty. Those cells that have matured must fulfill the main purpose of a woman - procreation.
Not all eggs succeed in fulfilling their functions. From the moment a teenage girl starts having her period, only one of them matures each month. At the moment of ovulation, it comes out, ready for fertilization.
The process of follicle maturation and egg releaseAs a rule, ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle. If the average cycle length is 28 days, then the egg matures on about 14 days.
Ovulation occurs once per cycle. At this time, a dominant follicle matures in the right or left ovary, from which the egg is released. The release of the egg from the follicle lasts only a couple of minutes, after which it moves along the appendage into the uterine cavity to meet the sperm for conception. If everything went well, then the fertilized egg is attached to the wall of the uterus. This indicates pregnancy. In the case where conception is unsuccessful, the egg is excreted from the body during menstruation.
Important! During pregnancy, ovulation does not occur; hormones block this process.
However, sometimes the number of anovulatory cycles is increased. In these cases, ovulation must be stimulated with medication. Several factors have a negative impact on the full formation of the nuclear center:
- change of residence;
- taking medications;
- problems with the endocrine system;
Much in this situation depends on hormonal levels. Even minor deviations in indicators can lead to violations. Sometimes anovulation is fraught with delayed bleeding. These problems are treated by taking hormonal medications. It is important to remember that all processes in the body are interconnected: incorrect operation of some leads to failure in others. At such a difficult time, pregnancy is unlikely to occur.
Signs
If you listen to your body, you can notice certain problems. A woman's body responds perfectly to the changes that occur inside. First of all, basal temperature (BT) increases.
The following signs are also identified:
- abundant secretion: discharge becomes more viscous;
- discomfort in the lower abdomen;
- sometimes blood flows;
- increased pain in the chest;
- change in taste preferences;
- increased libido;
- intolerance to certain odors.
In the case when ovulation is too early, or, conversely, early, then the signs may not appear. If this day shifts, it is better to track it by ultrasound.
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At what age does ovulation occur?
Each woman has a limited number of eggs, so the process of releasing them stops when they run out. At the same time, menstruation does not occur, since the endometrium is not rejected.
Some people don't even realize that ovulation has stopped. Gradually, the discharge becomes more scarce, sweating increases at night. Hormonal levels also change. Most often, all this happens by the age of 50.
How to determine the onset of ovulation?
There are many methods to determine ovulation. Let's look at each of them next:
- . This method is the most accurate. It allows doctors to assess the condition of the uterus, as well as the ovaries. The development of follicles or their absence is monitored;
- . They can be used at home. The result will be shown with an accuracy of 24-48 hours. However, the test often shows a false excess of LH. This indicates the presence of ovulatory disorders;
- . This method is considered one of the most popular. Moreover, you don’t have to pay money for it. Over the course of several cycles, the expectant mother needs to measure her BT level. The results must be recorded in a special notebook. The temperature is measured in the rectum in the morning without getting out of bed.
You can also talk about the release of an egg:
- by the nature of secretion. It looks like egg white;
- by saliva using special devices;
- along the cervix (CC). In the middle of the cycle it begins to change. In its standard state, the CMM is closed, rather low, dry and hard. Due to this, sperm cannot penetrate through it. However, during ovulation it rises and becomes looser and softer.
The onset of egg release can be determined even by. Particularly sensitive women during this period experience an increased sense of smell, pain in the right or left ovary, mood swings, and increased appetite.
So what is ovulation? This is the process of releasing an egg, without which conception is impossible. It happens once in a cycle. Knowing and understanding what it is is important when planning a pregnancy. If ovulation does not occur for some reason, it can be stimulated.
Literature
- Henry M. Konenberg, ShlomoMelmed, Kenneth S. Polonsky, P. Reed Larsen. Reproductive endocrinology. Reed Elstwer. 2011; 116 p.
- Gynecology: national guide / edited by V.I. Kulakova
- Obstetrics and gynecology: diagnosis and treatment. Tutorial. In 2 volumes. DeCherney A.H., Nathan L. 2009 Publisher: MEDpress-inform
- Atlas of ultrasound diagnostics in obstetrics and gynecology. Dubile P., Benson K.B. 2009 Publisher: MEDpress-inform.
- Gynecology from puberty to postmenopause: Practical. guide for doctors / Ed. Academician RAMS, prof. Aymazyan E.K. 2006 Publisher: MEDpress-inform.
- Gynecology. Duda V.I., Duda V.I., Duda I.V., 2008. LLC "AST Publishing House"
- Women's reproductive health. Guide for doctors. O.A. Transplant. 2009, M.: Medical Information Agency LLC.
The main signs of ovulation
Signs of ovulation are trying to figure out 2 categories of women: those who want to conceive a child quickly and, on the contrary, do not want children yet and thus protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy. Let's take a brief look at the ovulation process itself and why you need to be able to calculate a given day.
So, the female menstrual cycle (the period of time from one menstruation to the next) is divided into 2 phases, which are approximately equal in duration. In the first phase, a dominant follicle is formed in the woman’s ovaries, from which an egg ready for fertilization can be released. And in the second phase, in the event of conception, the endometrium receives the fertilized egg and various hormonal changes occur to preserve the child. If conception does not occur, then after about 2 weeks the endometrium will begin to shed and the next menstruation will begin. So, conception can only occur in a certain period of time, lasting no more than 1, less often 2 days, when the egg leaves the ovary and waits for the sperm. This day, the only one in the cycle, is called ovulation. However, sperm have the ability to maintain their viability for several days, and therefore sometimes even 3 days before, sexual intercourse gives birth to a child. And yet, what are the signs of ovulation in women?
Subjective signs
Attentive ladies who understand their own physiology and the functioning of the internal genital organs can almost accurately determine their ovulation without the use of special techniques. For what symptoms do they do this?
1. Increased vaginal discharge. Mucous discharge from the vagina is quite noticeable and different from what happens on other days. This is cervical mucus. Proven signs of ovulation are discharge without a hint of its infectious nature. Within 1-2 days they disappear. By the way, a gynecologist can also determine the period favorable for conception using the same vaginal discharge. The maximum stretch of mucus reaches 12 cm. This sign of ovulation in gynecology is called the “pupil” symptom.
2. Quite pronounced, but not regular pain in the lower abdomen or in the area of one of the ovaries (where the egg has matured). This symptom does not appear in everyone, only in the most sensitive women.
3. Increased sex drive. Not the average woman's libido is at the same level throughout her entire cycle. In the middle of the love cycle, as a rule, you want more. Especially on the day of ovulation...
Other methods for determining ovulation at home
1. Method of measuring basal temperature. Although more and more doctors are abandoning it as uninformative, this technique does not lose popularity among women. And this is no wonder. The main advantage is accessibility. The only item needed is a thermometer. It is advisable to measure the temperature from the first day of the cycle, recording the values in a special chart. As a rule, throughout the first half of the cycle the temperature fluctuates between 36.6-36.9. Signs of ovulation are shown in the form of a slight decrease in temperature values, which means that ovulation will occur within a few hours after this. After the release of a mature egg from the ovary and almost until the very end of the menstrual cycle, the temperature will remain elevated - 37-37.3 degrees. Further, if pregnancy does not occur, it will drop. If there are no temperature fluctuations in your cycle, most likely the month was anovulatory, that is, ovulation did not occur this time. This happens to every woman in 2-3 menstrual cycles per year. And with age, anovulatory cycles occur more and more often. This is why gynecologists call every pregnancy a small miracle, especially if it was not planned. After all, getting into a non-fertile month on the right day with sexual intercourse is not so easy. If you have signs of lack of ovulation, there is no need to worry right away. We need to watch. If anovulatory men. The cycles will constantly repeat, you need to go to the doctor.
2. Ovulation tests. Everyone is familiar with pregnancy tests, but these ones cause some confusion. Yes, for now they are used only by women suffering from infertility, and young girls who are advanced in terms of contraception and methods of quickly conceiving. So, these tests look for signs before ovulation, such as a sharp rise in luteinizing hormone. It is observed 1-1.5 days before the release of a mature egg. If you decide to speed up your motherhood with the help of test strips, then keep in mind that you will have to do them more than once, but over the course of several days is quite possible. On what days of the cycle should you start experimenting? Experts recommend that women with a regular menstrual cycle subtract 17 from the day of the expected start of the next months. And start from this date. However, the numbers may vary up or down depending on the length of the interval between menstruation. The number 17 is relevant for the “classic” 28-day cycle. After receiving a positive result, and it is also reflected by the usual two stripes, you don’t have to do any more tests, you’ve already calculated ovulation, all that’s left is a small matter... In order to get a reliable result, follow the following rules:
- do not urinate for 4 hours before the test;
- do not drink a lot of liquid during this period of time (this may reduce the concentration of the hormone and there will be no reaction);
Medical methods for determining ovulation
1. Ovulation can be determined by an experienced doctor “by eye” during a gynecological examination. Firstly, as we already wrote above, during the period of ovulation the amount of stretchy cervical mucus increases significantly, its stretchability is 10-12 cm, and these signs of ovulation are clearly visible to the doctor.
2. This is the so-called “pupil symptom”. From the 5th day of the cycle until the egg matures, the cervix (its external opening) tends to open slightly. You can see the mucus inside, which we wrote about in the previous paragraph. Maximum dilatation is observed on the day of ovulation, then the cervix closes again and the mucus disappears.
3. Determination of luteinizing hormone in urine using a laboratory urine test. This is for those who don't trust tests.
4. Ultrasound examination. Your doctor will monitor the thickness of your endometrium and the appearance and growth of a dominant follicle. From this follicle the egg will appear. With anovulatory cycles, there is no follicle (instead of the dominant one there are many, several millimeters long) and ovulation - it makes no sense to wait for signs of pregnancy at the end of this cycle.
Medical methods for determining the probable day of conception are popular among women who have had unsuccessful pregnancies in the past and (or) suffer from infertility, as well as those preparing for IVF. Home search for signs of ovulation attracts women who do not want to wait several months for conception (and this happens), but want to speed up the process. But there is a category of women who use this information not entirely for its intended purpose - in order to protect against unwanted pregnancy. I would like to remind you that the method is not very reliable, the failure rate is quite high.