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What is Ovulation? - Alcove Health Women's Clinic Newport News, VA

What is ovulation?

During ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary. The egg then has a window frame of 12 to 24 hours to be fertilized by sperm.

You may know everything there is to know about your menstrual cycles, but how much do you know about ovulation? Ovulation determines when you can get pregnant and it’s important to know when it happens, the signs or symptoms, and the kind of impact it can have on your life. Understanding ovulation can also help you avoid always worrying about needing to take a pregnancy test.

The average woman has a 28-day menstrual cycle. Ovulation typically occurs 12 to 14 days after the start of your period. During ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary. The egg then has a window frame of 12 to 24 hours to be fertilized by sperm.

Even though the egg has a limited time frame, it is important to note that sperm can live in the female reproductive tract for 3 to 5 days after intercourse. A woman is most likely to conceive or become pregnant during the days surrounding ovulation.

Unfortunately, due to reproductive diagnoses’ like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it can be difficult to track ovulation for some women. To help determine when you are ovulating, knowing the signs can help you become more aware of when to avoid or have intercourse depending on if you are looking to become pregnant.

Today, you can walk into a pharmacy and buy an ovulation testing kit. These can look like pregnancy tests and be accurate in determining if you are ovulating. However, these can also be expensive to use monthly.

For more natural ways to determine if you are ovulating, you can track your daily temperature, cervical mucus/vaginal discharge, and libido (your desire to have sex) changes. When you are ovulating, you tend to have a slight increase in your usual body temperature, experience thin, clear, and slippery vaginal discharge, and are more interested in sexual activities. You can track these changes using most ovulation or menstrual cycle apps on your smartphone.

If you are aware of when you are ovulating, you can become more knowledgeable about your body. You take control of your reproductive health by understanding how your body specifically responds to ovulation, as each woman’s response can be different. You also take control of your life by engaging in or avoiding intercourse during a time when you can get pregnant.

If you find yourself pregnant, whether planned or unplanned, Alcove Health Women’s Clinic is here to help. We are the first call for pregnant women and can provide you with a laboratory-grade urine test to provide pregnancy confirmation. We can also provide limited STI testing and an ultrasound. All appointments are confidential and at no cost to you.

Call or click here to schedule your pregnancy confirmation appointment today.

By Candra, Alcove Health Staff

November 19, 2024

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