Calculation of the ovulatory period for irregular periods. How to recognize ovulation yourself? How to determine ovulation by discharge How to calculate ovulation if periods are irregular

A woman's regular cycle indicates her health and ability to become a mother. Regular menstruation indicates ovulation - the moment that occurs once a month when the egg is ready to meet the sperm for fertilization. With a stable cycle, determining the moment when the chances of getting pregnant are highest seems simple. But how to calculate ovulation with an irregular cycle?

This question worries many girls and women, because if the cycle is irregular, then ovulation is not so easy to determine, and sometimes it may not happen at all.

A one-time delay of menstruation by 8-10 days is not a pathology; almost every woman experiences such cycle fluctuations several times a year. So what should a woman who is faced with a similar problem do and most accurately calculate the day when ovulation occurs?

The most common ways to determine

Currently, every woman has at her disposal a large selection of aids and methods for determining the day of ovulation, such as tests, tests for female hormones, and measuring basal temperature. But are they all suitable for irregular menstruation?

1. A test to determine the onset of ovulation: it is possible to determine the desired day in this way, but there are nuances. The thing is that calculating the moment for testing is quite difficult, even if you follow the standard formula and count the desired day from the day of your last menstruation, you can still make a mistake, since ovulation may occur earlier, later, or not occur at all. In addition, the test will show a false positive result if there are problems with the endocrine system or ovaries.
2. Hormone tests are a more effective method than a test, but have their drawbacks. To get the most reliable result, tests must be taken on the 7th day of menstruation and on the 20th. With an irregular cycle, this is not always possible, since sometimes the gaps between menstruation can reach 50 days, and ovulation occurs on the 30th day of the cycle.
3. Measuring BT - the method is quite effective, even if menstruation begins when it “pleases”. However, to most accurately determine the day when fertilization is most likely, the temperature must be measured daily for 4 months and any changes noted. Even a slight difference may indicate that the day of ovulation has already passed.

Effective ways to determine

Modern medicine, even with irregular menstruation, allows you to determine the moment when ovulation occurs. The most effective assistant in this is ultrasound, which tracks the growth of follicles. Doctors recommend conducting the first study on the 7th day of the cycle, the second study on the 21st, the third and subsequent ones at the woman’s request. When the follicle reaches a size of about 20 mm, it indicates that ovulation will occur very soon. Using this study, you can track whether the follicle has ruptured and whether an egg has come out of it. If the rupture does not occur, we can talk about the presence of a disease of the ovaries themselves, and then treatment should begin, and then try to conceive again.

How to determine ovulation

Most often, at the moment of ovulation, a woman may feel special sensations. They will also be noticeable with an irregular menstrual cycle.

• the day when the egg is mature and ready for fertilization may be accompanied by nagging pain in the lower abdomen,
• vaginal discharge changes its consistency and color, becomes more transparent and stretchy, and begins to resemble egg yolk,
• most girls note swelling of the mammary glands (this is explained by the fact that after the release of the egg, the body prepares for fertilization and feeding of future offspring),
• libido increases (a woman experiences an increased desire for her man, all because the body signals that it is ready for reproduction).

This will help you most accurately calculate the ovulation period.

If there is no ovulation

At a young age, a girl may not pay attention to the instability of her periods. But when planning a child comes first, the question arises of how to calculate the day of ovulation with an irregular cycle. If there is no stability for quite a long time, then it is necessary to visit a gynecologist and undergo an examination.

If your cycle is regular, but disruptions occur, menstruation is delayed longer than expected, do not worry ahead of time (if this happens no more than several times a year).

Ovulation may not occur if you are overweight or, conversely, excessively thin. To return your cycle to normal, it’s enough to take care of yourself, eliminate overeating, give up diets and add as many healthy foods and vitamins to your diet as possible.

Only scientific research methods can provide the most accurate results; no calculators or calendars can guarantee that you will hit the day of ovulation. It is important to listen to your body and note any changes that occur to it during your cycle.

Using an online calculator is a relatively informative method. If you are mentally mature for pregnancy and have begun to plan it, it is even better to visit a gynecologist to rule out the presence of any diseases, and if they are diagnosed, undergo a course of treatment. Monitoring by a gynecologist is especially important for women whose cycle is not constant, as this may be a signal that there is a malfunction in the body. Modern medicine has in its arsenal all kinds of treatment methods that ultimately make it possible to give birth to a long-awaited child.

When it is not possible to get pregnant for a long time, calculating the time of ovulation can significantly increase the chances of a successful conception. If a woman’s biorhythms are normal and her reproduction is in a healthy state, then anyone can make the calculation. But how to calculate ovulation with an irregular cycle? Various types of deviations and health problems in the female genital area can lead to characteristic malfunctions that cause irregular periods and other disorders.

The concept of a cycle: norm and irregularity

Which cycle is considered normal from a gynecological point of view and how to calculate it? It is necessary to count the number of days between menstruation, starting from the first day of the previous menstruation to the beginning of the next. The average is approximately 27-30 days, which is considered normal, but a cycle of 21-35 days is considered only a minor error.

If the result obtained is lower or higher than those indicated with an error, then gynecologists classify such a cycle as irregular. In cases where the day of the onset of menstrual flow changes monthly, the cycle is also considered irregular. If the cycle is irregular, then the woman is usually worried about serious hormonal imbalances. As a result of this, ovulation can happen on absolutely any day, even during menstruation. Sometimes the egg leaves the follicle twice a month, or does not mature at all.

Causes of cycle disorders

The female body is a rather fragile structure, so any factor can provoke menstrual irregularities. Among gynecologists, disruptions in the cycle are often considered as a sign of most gynecological and extragenital pathologies.

The female cycle is controlled by hormonal substances secreted by the ovaries or pituitary gland. In the first phase of the cycle, follicle-stimulating hormone predominates, which controls follicular maturation. Under the influence of estrogens, the production of luteinizing hormone increases, the concentration of which becomes maximum during ovulation. If fertilization does not occur, then the content of estrogen and progesterone drops to minimal values, and natural rejection of the endometrium occurs.

All causes of irregular periods can be divided into:

How to calculate ovulation

For young girls who have a normal, regular cycle, calculating safe days is a guarantee of safe sexual intercourse, a kind of panacea for unplanned pregnancy. When periods come on different days, calculating ovulation with an irregular menstrual cycle becomes quite a difficult task. In fairness, it is worth noting that safe days cannot be considered as a 100% guarantee against pregnancy, because physiological processes occur differently in each body.

Even a trip to the sea can be a factor that throws your periods off their normal schedule. What can we say about infections, “female-style” colds, and numerous stresses that plague most women almost every day. Therefore, it is quite difficult for such ladies to calculate ovulation. Although some women manage to sense the onset of ovulation based on specific symptoms.

General signs

There are many ways to determine the ovulatory period. But by listening carefully to the body during the period falling in the middle of the cycle, you can feel the release of the egg from the ovary. Some women feel worse for no reason on this day. Simply changes in the functioning of the hormonal system cause a feeling of slight, insignificant malaise.

Girls also note that during the period of ovulation they experience pain, their breasts swell and become hypersensitive. But the most striking symptom is pain that is localized in the lower abdomen. Such pain is observed only on one side, which is caused by rupture of the follicle. How to determine ovulation by pain? For some women, this process takes minutes and goes unnoticed, while for others, the release of the egg is accompanied by pain for 1-2 days. This is exactly the time when the cell moves along the fallopian tubes. And some ladies do not experience any pain at all.

The ovulatory period is accompanied by hormonal surges, which certainly affects the female emotional sphere. Such hormonal surges can provoke sudden changes in mood, when a woman experiences waves of irritability and tearfulness. Taste preferences may also change. Favorite dishes suddenly become unattractive and even tasteless, and pleasant aromas of dishes can cause a nausea-vomiting reaction. All this is caused by hormonal changes characteristic of the ovulatory period.

Another characteristic sign of ovulation is a sudden increase in sexual desire. When the body has prepared for conception and the egg is waiting for a quick sperm, the body in this way tells the woman that the time has come. Nature itself tries to tell a woman a favorable period for conception. The strongest attraction is observed on days 13-15 of the cycle, when ovulation occurs. Some women experience similar sudden sexual urges during menstruation, which is also associated with hormonal fluctuations.

If the method of determining by symptoms can be called questionable, then there is a more reliable method for determining ovulation. At pharmacies you can buy a special test system consisting of five strips. These strips are similar to pregnancy tests and operate on similar principles. But only in the case of a test system, the content of luteinizing hormone is detected in the urine. For maximum accuracy, certain recommendations must be followed:

How to correctly calculate ovulation if the menstrual cycle is not constant? It is necessary to carry out calculations and measurements with test strips over a period of 5-6 months. The results should be entered into a table. Then, based on the measurements obtained, make a calculation and determine the expected date.

Basal temperature

Measuring rectal temperature is a less reliable and accurate way to determine the day a female cell leaves the follicle. To put the method into practice, you need to purchase a regular non-electronic thermometer and prepare a table for entering data. Every day after waking up (right in bed), it is necessary to take measurements and enter them into a lined table.

If there are signs of a cold, the general temperature has risen, then the measurement may not be carried out, because the result obtained will be uninformative. Factors such as alcohol, insomnia, cigarettes or intestinal disorders, headaches and stress can also affect reliability. Therefore, when taking measurements, it is necessary to clarify the presence of problems. Measurements are not taken on menstrual days. It is recommended to keep such a calendar for several months (at least 6).

Based on the combination of graphs, you can calculate the day of ovulation. How? The cycle is divided into two stages: follicular and luteal. At the follicular stage, follicle formation occurs, and temperature readings do not exceed 37°C. Before the release of the female cell, the basal temperature drops sharply, and by the onset of ovulation it rises sharply to 37.4-37.6 ° C. Then comes the luteal stage, during which the temperature drops again, not exceeding the 37-degree limit. On the basal measurements chart, ovulation will look like a cardiogram jump. If there was no ovulation, then there will be no such jump.

Ultrasound method

The most reliable method for determining ovulation is ultrasound diagnostics. There is no need to calculate anything here. The essence of the technique is to dynamically perform an ultrasound of the ovaries, preferably with a vaginal sensor. The first diagnosis is carried out on days 6-7 of the cycle, then on days 9, 14 and 21, 28. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe other days for the study; this is especially common with irregular periods. Such measurements make it possible to determine for sure whether the egg in the follicle has matured, whether the ovulatory process has occurred, and when menstruation occurs.

According to analyzes

Another method for determining ovulation is a biochemical blood test. There is also no need to calculate anything here. A woman must donate blood to check her hormone levels. You will have to do this several times.

Attention! Tests must be taken on days 6-7 and 18-22 of the cycle.

This technique is used quite rarely, more often in order to understand whether the patient is ovulating or not. If the tests revealed increased concentrations of FSH and LH, this indicates the approach of the ovulatory period. If in the middle of the second stage of the menstrual cycle the level of progesterone increases, this indicates that ovulation has recently occurred.

Conclusion

There are many methods of determination: keeping an ovulation calendar using basal measurements, test strips, laboratory diagnostics using blood and ultrasound examinations, external signs, the woman’s well-being, and so on. But ultrasound diagnostics is considered the most reliable for irregular menstruation.

Today, many sites offer the use of an online calculator to accurately calculate ovulation. But this method is most preferable for women whose cycle is enviably regular.

Absolutely all women want to know the date of ovulation. Only the goal is different - some want to determine it in order to conceive a child, others want to prevent pregnancy. Ovulation is the determining factor in a woman’s ability to conceive. These days there are several ways. Some of them give 100% results, exact date.

A full menstrual cycle and regular periods are considered a sign of good women's health. But the arrival of the next period does not mean at all that ovulation was present in it. It is considered normal if there are no more than 2 such cycles per year. The date of ovulation, theoretically, coincides with the middle of the menstrual cycle. In practice, it can move up or down. This is due to numerous external and internal factors. This is the main difficulty of accurate .

Numerous transformations and hormonal changes occur in the body throughout the menstrual cycle. This affects the general health and well-being of a woman. You can determine the moment of release of the egg by your own feelings. But not everyone succeeds in doing this.

The beginning of a new menstrual cycle coincides with the 1st day of menstruation. The maturation of the egg begins. In the absence of unfavorable factors, the process lasts about 13 days. The date of ovulation is 14-16 days of the menstrual cycle. The egg is ripe to meet the sperm and is ready for fertilization. After the egg is released, its further functioning depends on whether it meets a sperm or not. It remains in working condition for 24 hours. And everything would be simple if it weren’t for the vitality of sperm. One day in the middle of the cycle, refuse sexual intercourse, there is no pregnancy. But then difficulties would arise for those women who long to conceive. Nature has provided the following.

The sperm, entering the vagina, remains in working condition for several days. In some cases this period is 7 days. The meeting can occur immediately after the release of the egg. Or the sperm will enter the uterus when the egg is in working condition. This means that pregnancy can occur through sexual intercourse a week before the release of the egg. And within 2 days of the ovulation period.

Methods for determining egg yield

Determining ovulation puzzles women of all generations. Currently there are several ways. From fairly simple to complex ones using special equipment. And of course, with varying accuracy in determining the date. Some of them are extended over time, allowing you to assess the situation six months or a year later. Others require adherence to a certain sleep, nutrition, and sex schedule. Still others are currently inaccessible to the general public due to their high cost.

Ovulation is determined using:

• calendar method;
• test use;
• observation method;
• ultrasound examination;
• measuring basal temperature.

The most common method for determining ovulation at home is measurement. Taking into account the data of the calendar method, monitoring one’s own body. Using the test is not a procedure accessible to everyone. Some pharmacies simply don’t have them, while in others the price is high. An ultrasound examination is usually performed in case of problems with conception. A woman will not undergo this procedure every month to prevent pregnancy.

Determining ovulation using the calendar method

The method is quite simple in terms of implementation. But the result can be obtained after 1 year of regular entries and marks on the calendar. It is necessary to note the day of the beginning and end of menstruation. The notebook contains notes about illnesses, stressful situations, and all factors that could affect the duration of the menstrual cycle and egg maturation. It is necessary to analyze the resulting picture. The longest menstrual cycle and the shortest are calculated. To determine the date of the earliest release of the egg, it is necessary to subtract 18 days from the shortest menstrual cycle. To find out the latest date for the release of the egg, you need to subtract 11 days from the long menstrual cycle. The interval between the obtained values ​​will indicate the period of ovulation. But it is impossible to determine the exact date using this method. Theoretical calculations.

An example of determining the release of an egg using the calendar method

A woman's short menstrual cycle is 25 days. The long cycle lasts 31 days.

• Earliest date of egg release: 25-18=7. A week after the start of menstruation, ovulation may occur.
• The latest date of release of the egg: 31-11=20. The onset of ovulation can occur 20 days after the start of the menstrual cycle.

The moment of release of the egg can be from 7 to 20 days. If your menstrual cycle is regular, the results will be more accurate.

It is not entirely logical to rely on the fact that ovulation will occur on days 12-16 of the menstrual cycle. Because the female body is not a clockwork mechanism. Possible failures. Sometimes ovulation occurs just before menstruation. And in some cases, 2 eggs manage to mature, or ovulation occurs 2 times during the entire cycle. All this must be taken into account

Determination of ovulation by monitoring the state of the body

For a woman who is sensitive to her own feelings and monitors her health, determining the date of ovulation will not be difficult. Signs by which you can find out when the egg is released:

1. Selection changes. Before ovulation, the discharge becomes profuse with a yellowish tint. During ovulation, they look like egg whites. Transparent, viscous, plentiful. In some cases, rupture of the follicle is accompanied by bleeding. The discharge becomes pink or brown. They need to be assessed every day.
2. I have a stomachache. Unpleasant sensations are observed on one side of the abdomen. They can be aching, cutting, cramping.
3. Increases libido. A strong desire for intimacy is dictated by nature. At this moment conception should occur. This symptom is especially noticeable in women who have an irregular sex life. It is necessary to listen to desires.
4. There is a change in the cervix. To ensure the release of the egg, the cervix softens and opens slightly. The woman herself will not be able to see this, but feeling it is quite possible. It is necessary to carry out the procedure several cycles in a row every day. Then the change will be noticeable.
5. Breast pain. Hardening, swelling of the nipples, and painful sensations occur immediately before ovulation, and during the process. If in the middle of the cycle changes appear in the breasts for no apparent reason, this is the date of ovulation.
6. Crystallization of saliva. You'll have to get a microscope. Scientists have determined changes in a woman's saliva immediately before the onset of ovulation and during its process. Under a microscope you can see that it crystallizes and looks like frost. You need to do this every day.
7. Changing taste preferences. A woman may suddenly want something that she didn’t want before. Be it sweets, salted fish, chips, hot dog, milk, beer. The sense of smell is heightened. A woman refuses perfumes or uses others. Notices the smell of furniture, clothes, paper.
8. Flatulence, intestinal upset. Increased gas formation, diarrhea, and pain in the lower abdomen are observed.

The accuracy of determining ovulation by this method is very questionable. Signs appear on the eve of ovulation, during its process, or are weakly expressed.

Determining ovulation by measuring basal temperature

Throughout the monthly cycle, body temperature changes. You can get a complete picture and draw a conclusion about the date of ovulation after 3-6 months of constant measurements. The basal temperature method requires compliance with the following rules:

• You must use 1 thermometer throughout the month.
• The temperature is measured immediately after waking up. Sleep should be at least 6 hours.
• You can measure in the mouth, vagina, rectum. The last method gives the most complete picture. You cannot change the method until the end of the cycle.
• Temperatures are taken from 6 to 8 am. At other times, the data is distorted.
• The duration of temperature measurement is from 5 to 10 minutes.

Additional notes must be kept in the notebook. Since changes in basal temperature are influenced by several factors:

• taking medications;
• cold, viral infection with fever;
• alcohol;
• nervous tension, stress;
• physical fatigue;
• insomnia;
• sexual intercourse;
• moving;
• heightened emotional state.

All temperature measurement data is transferred to the graph. The X axis should indicate the day, and the Y axis should indicate the basal temperature. In the first half, the temperature remains at 36.3-36.8 degrees Celsius. The day before ovulation, the temperature drops sharply. This is followed by an increase to 37-37.5 degrees. This is the moment of ovulation. After 2 days the temperature drops slightly and remains until the onset of menstruation. Directly in front of them it descends again.

The method of determining ovulation by measuring basal temperature gives a complete picture. You can accurately determine the moment of possible conception. But due to the influence of a large number of internal and external factors, it is quite complex.

Determining ovulation using a test

You can determine ovulation using a test. Morning urine is used for analysis. The analysis is carried out daily. The result is based on the level of LH hormones. They are constantly present in urine. . The day before ovulation, a change in the balance of hormones occurs. The second stripe is clearly visible. This way you can determine the moment of possible conception. The method is quite simple. It does not require women to follow the rules or extra effort. A false result can occur with diseases of the thyroid gland, reproductive system, and adrenal glands. When pregnancy occurs. In other cases the result is 100%. Typically, such tests are used not to prevent pregnancy, but to determine the favorable moment of conception.

Ultrasonography

This method allows you to accurately determine the moment of ovulation. You will need to do 3-4 ultrasounds. The first study should be carried out 5-8 days after the start of menstruation. On the monitor, the specialist will see the location of the egg. 2 An ultrasound must be performed to determine its movement. Based on the data obtained, you can determine the moment of ovulation. 3-4 ultrasounds must be done to confirm the result. The accuracy is 100%. Couples who cannot conceive a child resort to this method. The doctor helps to identify a favorable moment.

To independently determine the date of ovulation, you need to listen to your own body, observe the discharge, and measure your basal temperature. Keep notes in a diary and analyze the situation.

We all know that regular periods, as a rule, are the key to women's health and indicate that every month, each of us can become a future mother. After all, it is with regular sexual activity and a healthy menstrual cycle that ovulation occurs - the moment when a woman’s egg is ready for fertilization. Moreover, if a woman has periods regularly, then calculating this moment is not at all difficult. Moreover, in this case there are enough methods for determining ovulation: ovulation tests, measurements, hormone tests, diagnosis of maturation using ultrasound, etc.

However, what to do if you are not one of the “lucky ones” who do not worry about the onset of menstruation, since they go “exactly according to the calendar”? How to determine ovulation if you suffer from an irregular menstrual cycle and your periods come “whenever they want”? To answer this exciting question in more detail, we decided to create an entire publication.

So, let's look at the main methods for determining ovulation and see if they can be used by women whose menstrual cycle is far from perfect. Let's start with ovulation tests.

It is possible to determine when ovulation occurs during an irregular menstrual cycle using ovulation tests, but it is very problematic, since it is almost impossible to calculate the testing time. Even if you count the required day from the day your period begins, there is a high probability that the test will show a false result. The fact is that this result can be affected by diseases that provoke a disruption in the menstrual cycle, such as: problems with the endocrine system, as well as the slightest stress. All these phenomena increase the level of LH in the blood, which very often gives a false result during testing. Therefore, it is recommended to resort to this method of determining ovulation at least after three months of a regular menstrual cycle.

As for hormone tests, which are often taken during pregnancy, there is also a high probability of an unreliable result, since the first test must be taken on the 5-7th day of menstruation, and the second on the 18-22nd day of the menstrual cycle. Well, it’s no secret that with an irregular cycle, the break between menstruation can last for 45 or even more days. In this case, ovulation can occur on the 31st day of the cycle, and the tests will not “notice” this.

Measuring basal temperature is an ideal way to determine ovulation, even with an irregular cycle. The only thing is that in this case you will have to measure it every day for three months, carefully recording all changes in a notebook. It is very important to scrupulously monitor temperature fluctuations, since even the slightest jump of 0.3 degrees may indicate that ovulation has already passed. Also, daily records for such a long time will help you more carefully determine the approximate dates of ovulation and calculate the time when you need to be active.

However, the best and most reliable way to find out when ovulation occurs with an irregular menstrual cycle is to monitor follicle growth with an ultrasound. Note that the first follicle study is carried out on days 7-8 of the cycle, the second on 10-12, the third and subsequent ones - at your request or the recommendation of the attending physician. Moreover, if the follicle has reached a size of 18 to 21 mm, then this indicates the imminent onset of ovulation. Moreover, with the help of ultrasound, you can find out whether the follicle has ruptured and whether the egg has been released. To do this, an ultrasound is performed a few days after ovulation. If a gap occurs, then expect a “stork”. Well, if not, then most likely you have problems with the ovaries, which are easily solved with modern medical treatment methods.

In any case, you should never despair, because if you have a great desire to become happy parents, you will definitely become them. The main thing is to believe!

Especially for Ira Romaniy

This article is for informational purposes only. If you discover symptoms of any disease or feel unwell, consult a doctor first! The tips in this material can help you in emergency situations when it is not possible to contact qualified medical personnel.

Ovulation is a process that occurs once during the female menstrual cycle. A mature egg is released from the ovaries and awaits fertilization by a sperm. The most favorable time for conception is the day after ovulation.

• The process of ovulation itself;
• How to calculate ovulation yourself;
• About what affects ovulation.

Thanks to the knowledge gained, you will be able to control the menstrual cycle, determine the days of ovulation after menstruation and plan a pregnancy.

What happens during ovulation

The female body has many unique features, including the functioning of the reproductive system. Female reproductive cells, which are called eggs, are formed in girls during intrauterine development. The ovaries serve as a “storage chamber” for eggs.

After puberty, girls undergo a menstrual cycle, during which the egg regularly matures; when it has not been fertilized, at the end of the cycle it is released with menstrual blood.

The menstrual cycle is a biological process that repeats with a certain rhythm and prepares a woman’s body for pregnancy. For the average woman, from the 1st day of her period to the 1st day of her next menstruation, it takes not exactly a month, but 28 days. Cycles that last 21 to 36 days are considered normal.

Hormones and the three phases of the female cycle

Hormones are responsible for all processes that occur in the reproductive system, the main ones being:

• FSH - follitropin or follicle-stimulating hormone;
• Prolactin;
• Estrogen or estradiol;
• LH - lutropin or luteinizing hormone;
• Progesterone;
• Androgens.

If all a woman’s hormones are normal, then ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

First phase

The first day of the menstrual cycle is considered the day the period begins, and the entire period of the cycle is usually divided into three phases:

• Follicular;
• Ovulatory;
• Luteal.

The follicular phase is the time leading up to ovulation. On the very first day of vaginal discharge, a follicle begins to mature in the ovaries. A follicle is a fluid-filled sac in the ovaries that contains an egg. Under the influence of the hormones FSH and LH, which are produced by the pituitary gland, from the first to 7-8 days, several follicles mature in the right and left ovaries. After 7-8 days, and in a long cycle (menstrual cycle, which lasts over 30 days) after 11-12 days, one main one is determined - the dominant follicle, which continues to grow, and the rest regress.

During the period of growth of the dominant follicle, under the influence of the hormone estrogen, the mucous membrane of the uterus thickens, which prepares to receive an egg fertilized by sperm. A follicle that has reached a diameter of 7-10 mm is considered dominant; every day it increases by an average of 2 mm; by the middle of the menstrual cycle it should grow to 22-24 mm and burst, releasing the egg.

The second phase of the cycle is ovulation

Around the middle of the cycle, the mature female reproductive cell is ready for fertilization. The lifespan of the egg, i.e. The time at which fertilization can occur is considered to be 24 hours after the follicle bursts and ovulation occurs.

Spermatozoa that have reached the uterus will be viable for up to 5-7 days. If sexual intercourse does not occur on the day of ovulation, but even 3-5 days before the release of a mature egg, the probability of conception is very high.

If fertilization does not occur, the female reproductive cell does not meet the male reproductive cell - the sperm, then the egg along with the epithelium is released from the walls of the uterus in the form of menstrual discharge.

Third phase of the menstrual cycle

The luteal phase or corpus luteum phase occurs after ovulation. The luteal phase lasts 12-14 days before the start of your next period. If fertilization has occurred, the luteal phase supports the production of progesterone, which ensures the fixation of the fertilized egg in the walls of the uterus. In case of failure and an unfertilized egg, the endometrium - the inner mucous membrane of the uterus - dies, progesterone and estrogen decrease and bleeding begins. With the onset of menstrual bleeding, a new follicle begins to mature again, which will lead to new ovulation.

Ovulation period and its calculations

If a woman controls her menstrual cycle, she can easily calculate the days of ovulation and plan pregnancy. There are several ways to calculate and determine ovulation:

• Maintaining a calendar;
• Basal temperature measurement;
• Ovulation test;
• Monitoring folliculogenesis.

Each woman can choose the method of determining favorable days for conception that will be convenient for her, ranging from the simplest, but less accurate, to the method of ultrasound examination with 100% accuracy.

Women's calendar

The simplest, but not the most accurate method of calculating ovulation is considered to be keeping a calendar of critical days. Gynecologists recommend that everyone keep a calendar in which the first day of menstruation must be marked every month. When 3-4 dates for the start of menstruation are marked on the calendar, you can calculate the average duration of the cycle.

The figure shows the calendar of a woman whose cycle is stable and lasts 28 days. In order to calculate the day of ovulation, you need to calculate the middle of the cycle:

The 14th day after the start of menstruation is expected to be the day of ovulation.

Fertile days - days favorable for conception as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse are considered 3 days before ovulation and 2 days after.

Women's smartphone apps

Our mothers and grandmothers kept pocket calendars, today it has become much easier to control the menstrual cycle with the help of applications for your smartphone. You can choose any convenient program and download it in a couple of minutes and completely free. There are a lot of functions in such modern applications; they will not only tell you the period of ovulation and safe sex, but will also help you monitor your mood, the amount of discharge, mark sexual intercourse, and more. Various options will help you customize the application so that it is as useful as possible for you, and even notifies you of upcoming ovulation.

Interface of the smartphone application “Women’s calendar”

Basal temperature and its measurement

Basal temperature is the lowest temperature measured after continuous sleep for more than 6 hours, at rest. This method of determining the day of ovulation after menstruation is more accurate than keeping a female calendar. Regular measurement of basal temperature allows you to recognize:

• The phase of the menstrual cycle and the onset of ovulation;
• Fertilization, attachment of the egg;
• Hormonal disorders;
• Inflammation in the reproductive system.

To analyze basal temperature, all measurements are entered into a graph, where the vertical axis is degrees, and the horizontal axis is the day of the menstrual cycle in order.

• During menstruation - 37°C;
• After the end of bleeding, it decreases to 36.3°C;
• Until the middle of the cycle, 36-36.6°C is considered normal;
• During the ovulatory period, the temperature should be within 37.1-37.3°C for three days;
• It stays at 37.1-37.5°C and begins to decrease 3 days before the new period;
• If fertilization fails, then before menstruation it drops to 36.9-37°C;
• With successful fertilization, the temperature level does not fall below 37°C.

Your temperature may differ by several points, but a difference of at least 0.4°C in different phases of the cycle is considered normal.

Rules for measuring basal temperature

In order for your basal temperature chart to be as informative and reliable as possible, you should follow these rules:

• Measure your temperature regularly, without skipping days, for several months in a row. Data from one month of measurements will not provide objective information; only by analyzing three or more basal temperature graphs can accurate predictions about your cycle be made.
• Measurements are taken daily at the same time in the morning. If the time differs by more than half an hour from previous measurements, the data obtained is considered unreliable.
• The temperature is measured immediately after waking up. A woman should not get out of bed or make sudden movements. This temperature should be measured in the most restful state after continuous sleep for at least 6 hours.
• Measurements are taken rectally. The thermometer is left in the anus for 5 minutes. There are options for measuring in the mouth or in the vagina, but the classic and recommended method is rectally. With other measurement methods, the degrees differ from those that we showed in the measurement chart.
• Use the same thermometer for each measurement, because an error of one tenth of a degree will affect the overall assessment of the information.

Thus, an increase in basal temperature in the middle of the menstrual cycle is a signal that the egg has matured and begins its movement from the ovary to the uterus. The median temperature is 37°C, a temperature spike of 0.4°C and the fact that it rose above 37°C is a clear sign of ovulation.

Ovulation test

Pharmacology has developed convenient home tests so that women can determine the onset of ovulation with great accuracy. Such tests are recommended for women who have not been able to get pregnant for more than six months in order to predict the day of ovulation and increase the chances of conception.

Tests to determine ovulation determine the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. LH peaks when the egg leaves the follicle.

Types of tests

There are several types of ovulation tests:

• The test strip is a regular paper strip that must be immersed in urine for a few seconds. On such a test there is a pink control mark; depending on the concentration of LH in the urine, a second colored line will appear; the closer its shade matches the control, the greater the concentration of the hormone. These tests usually involve 5 paper strips. They are recommended to start every other day from the 11th day of the cycle. One colored stripe or a very pale stripe means that the test is negative and ovulation has not occurred. As ovulation approaches, the second stripe should become brighter, and at the moment of ovulation the color intensity should match the control stripe.
• Jet test. A more optimized version of the ovulation test, but the principle of operation is similar to the strip test. This test must be placed under a stream of urine; there is no need to immerse it in urine.
• Digital test. Such tests determine the day of ovulation with 99% accuracy. Unlike the previous two options, this test determines the presence of the LH hormone in saliva. This test is shaped like lipstick and is reusable. The principle of operation is the same as in a microscope; the test shows the concentration of LH in dried saliva. Before performing the test, please read the instructions carefully because in this test it is important not to drink or urinate 2 hours before the test.

Important! Pharmacy tests for ovulation are considered twice as reliable as determining this important day using a women's calendar.

Symptoms and sensations

Some women claim that they feel the moment of ovulation. This is quite possible, because the follicle bursts when the egg is released and this may be accompanied by a slightly painful sensation. By observing yourself, you can identify several more symptoms of ovulation:

• Bloating and pain in the lower abdomen;
• A drop of blood on underwear as a result of a ruptured follicle;
• Vaginal discharge has become more abundant and resembles egg white in consistency;
• A surge of hormones. You may feel increased libido, a change in mood, and how your breasts become fuller.