What is Ovulation?
Ovulation refers to a specific phase in your menstrual cycle. Known as the ovulatory phase, it is during this time that your body releases an egg for fertilization. During the ovulatory phase, your body sends a series of signals that trigger an increase in the levels of estrogen in your body. In turn, this increase sets off a rise in luteinizing hormone (called the LH surge), a special hormone that helps you ovulate. When this LH surge reaches a certain point, one of your ovaries releases an egg. This egg will then travel down the fallopian tubes in order to be fertilized.
When Does Ovulation Occur?
It can be hard to predict exactly when ovulation occurs. This is because every woman’s cycle is different and can even vary individually from month to month. Typically, it is assumed that every woman has a cycle around 28 days in length. However, your cycle may last anywhere from 21 to 35 days in length. Ovulation occurs at different times in different women, depending upon the length of your menstrual cycle.
A good rule of thumb is to remember that ovulation typically takes place about two weeks before menstruation. This means that, if you have a 28-day cycle, you will ovulate around Day 14. However, few women ovulate like clockwork. As a result, ovulation can occur anywhere from Day 8 to Day 20 depending on the length of your cycle. In order to find out when you ovulate, it is necessary to look closely at specific signs that your body gives off.
Why You Need to Know
So why would you want to know when you are ovulating in the first place? Well, women find that knowing when they ovulate helps to provide them with control over their own fertility. Knowing when you ovulate can help you:
* Track your menstrual period: Keeping track of your ovulation will help you to predict when your menstruation is going to arrive, so you won’t be caught off guard. It is also especially useful for women with irregular periods or endometriosis, who often don’t ovulate.
* Get Pregnant: It is during ovulation that you are at your most fertile. If you are trying to get pregnant, timing intercourse around your ovulation can greatly increase your chances of conception.
* Preventing Pregnancy: Women who are sexually active but who don’t want to get pregnant sometimes monitor their ovulation in order to prevent pregnancy. By refraining from sexual intercourse around the time of ovulation, you can reduce your chances of getting pregnant.
2006-09-16 23:54:04
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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It doesn't necessarily. Some times one ovary will almost exclusively produce eggs, sometimes they will alternate, in some cases they will both ovulate (or one ovary produce two eggs). There are eggs in both ovaries that are in different stages of development - the one that is the most developed at a certain stage will be the the one that is ovulated. It is pretty much random. You could have one ovary removed and still ovulate every month.
2006-09-17 12:59:46
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answer #2
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answered by Sage Bluestorm 6
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That's a good question-I've wondered that. Unfortunately it has'nt been answered here... shame.
2006-09-17 09:54:50
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answer #4
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answered by theBoyLakin 3
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