Ovulation Period

The concept of ovulation is known as the ovulation period, which occurs from puberty to menopause in every healthy woman. This period is marked by the release of an egg from a follicle, a small sac containing the egg, into the fallopian tubes. In healthy women of reproductive age, this happens every month. For pregnancy to occur, the egg in the fallopian tubes must meet the sperm, the male reproductive cell. Therefore, ovulation is one of the most critical factors for pregnancy. To increase your chances of pregnancy, it is important to track ovulation signs and dates. Understanding your menstrual cycle will significantly help with this. If you have a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation typically begins six days after the start of your period, and your eggs mature until approximately day 14.

In a healthy woman, 3 to 30 eggs mature each month, with the most mature egg being released into the fallopian tubes. The egg's lifespan is 24 hours. Sperm can live inside a woman’s body for up to five days, so conception can occur before or on the day of ovulation.

Ovulation Calculation

Ovulation calculation refers to methods that help a woman identify when pregnancy is possible by being aware of changes in the body during the menstrual period. By calculating ovulation, individuals can increase their chances of conceiving by having sexual intercourse at the right time. However, it is important to note that ovulation calculation is not a reliable method of contraception. If pregnancy is not desired, it is best to consult an obstetrician to determine the most appropriate method of contraception.

Various methods are used in ovulation calculation. One of these methods is the cervical mucus method, which involves tracking changes in cervical mucus (discharge from the cervix) during ovulation. Hormones can cause changes in the mucus before and during ovulation. After the menstrual period, there are days when there is no mucus, but during ovulation, when the egg matures, the mucus increases. The discharge is typically white or yellow, cloudy, and sticky.

Before ovulation, mucus is abundant, clear, and slippery, which is the most fertile time for a woman. Just before menstruation, there is again no mucus. Recording changes in mucus and tracking them on a calendar is an important method for detecting ovulation.

The most commonly used method is the calendar method. Many smartphone apps are available to track this. The first day of the period should always be marked. The length of the menstrual cycle can vary from month to month, so the duration of each cycle should be noted. Ovulation day may differ for each woman and even from month to month for the same woman. Therefore, instead of trying to calculate the exact day, it is more effective to determine a window of time when ovulation is likely to occur. For this, engaging in sexual intercourse every other day between days 10 and 18 of the cycle (calculated from the first day of the period) will increase the chances of pregnancy.

When we look at the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) method, it’s important to understand that basal body temperature refers to the body’s temperature measured in the morning, before any movement or activity. This temperature rises around the time of ovulation. By recording this temperature daily for several months, it might be possible to predict ovulation days. However, body temperature may not always align precisely with ovulation, so this method is not highly effective.

Ovulation Test

One of the questions people considering having children often have is about ovulation tests. An ovulation test is a test that shows whether a woman is in her ovulation period by detecting the presence of the LH hormone in her body. LH (Luteinizing Hormone) is the hormone that stimulates the development of eggs and can be detected easily during ovulation. Ovulation typically begins around 24-36 hours after LH starts to be released. Ovulation tests can be done using blood, urine, or saliva samples. The convenience of urine tests being available for home use makes it easier for women to track ovulation in their everyday lives. If a woman has regular periods, she should start testing for LH in urine 12-13 days after the start of her period, continuing daily for 5 days. This will help determine if ovulation is occurring.

What is Ovulation Induction?

With ovulation medications, ovulation can be achieved in about 80% of women. About half of these women can successfully achieve a pregnancy. Normally, during each menstrual cycle, a complex chain of hormonal events occurs in a woman’s body. This process is delicate and requires the coordination of several factors working in harmony.

Ovulation induction refers to methods that use medication to stimulate ovulation, increase the number of eggs released, and ultimately enhance the chances of conception. Ovulation induction can be done with oral or injectable medications to stimulate regular ovulation. These medications are usually taken at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, and the body’s response is closely monitored using ultrasound. This helps determine the best time for intercourse or other treatments.

This method can be used in women who do not ovulate regularly, in cases of unexplained infertility, or when male infertility is a factor. Once egg development is supported with medication and monitored through ultrasound measurements, an injection containing hormones (known as a "trigger shot") is administered to induce ovulation. The timing of intercourse is planned around this to increase the chances of conception.

Though ovulation induction has lower pregnancy success rates compared to other methods, the natural pregnancy rate of about 20% can be increased to around 30% with this treatment. Therefore, multiple attempts may be necessary.

For more detailed information or support regarding these treatments, you can contact our clinic using the provided contact number.