Normally, the egg is released from the ovary in the middle of the menstrual cycle. If it happens ahead of time observed early ovulation.

What does this term mean

It is believed that with a 28-day cycle, the release of a mature germ cell develops on the 14th day. This is what happens to most women. However, in some cases, ovulation with a 28-day cycle may occur on the 12th day or even earlier.

Women with this form of cycle disorder have a short follicular phase. This is the time from the beginning of menstruation to the release of the egg from the ovary. Usually its duration is 12-16 days. During this phase, the egg is protected by the follicle, where it grows and matures.

If the duration of the follicular phase is less than 12 days, early ovulation occurs, and pregnancy in this case is less likely. The egg in this situation is not fully mature and not ready for fertilization.

Can this condition occur normally?

This can happen to any woman. But the constant premature rupture of the follicle can be the cause of infertility.

On what day of the cycle does early ovulation occur?

It occurs before the 12th day after the onset of menstruation. In the period of 12-16 days, the egg is ready for fertilization with a cycle of 25 days.

Why is this happening

The main causes of early ovulation:

• time before the onset;
• short follicular phase;
• smoking, alcohol and caffeine abuse;
• stress;
• sudden weight loss or sudden weight gain;
• early ovulation may occur after the abolition of OK (oral contraceptives);
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• abrupt change in normal daily activities;
• irregular menstrual cycle caused by gynecological hormonal diseases.

Any hormonal imbalance can disrupt the length and staging of the menstrual cycle. The maturation of the egg in the ovarian follicle is stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and its release is associated with the action of luteinizing hormone (LH). Both of these substances are produced in the pituitary gland under the control of the hypothalamus. A change in the level of these hormones leads to a violation of the ovulatory mechanism.

The premature onset of the ovulatory phase is associated with high levels of FSH.

A decrease in ovarian activity inevitably occurs with age. At birth, a girl has about 2 million eggs. During each menstrual cycle, hundreds of them die, and only one matures. The exception is hyperovulation, when more than one egg matures in one cycle.

By the age of 30, a woman has lost more than 90% of all eggs. As menopause approaches, the pituitary feedback begins to secrete more and more FSH to compensate for the lack of ovulating follicles. This leads to menstrual irregularities.

The consequences of constant early ovulation are the release of immature eggs and infertility.

According to studies, smoking causes disruption of the ovulatory cycle and affects female fertility. When a woman smokes more than 20 cigarettes a day, the full maturation of the egg is almost impossible for a woman. The same can be said about the effects of alcohol and caffeine.

Signs and symptoms

To determine the premature appearance of an egg, it is necessary to track the cycle for at least 3 months. With a 28-day cycle, ovulation should be expected on the 12-16th day, with a 30-day cycle - on the 13th - 17th day.

If a woman begins to feel the following symptoms shortly after menstruation, most likely, she has come into the ovulatory phase earlier than usual:

• increased viscosity of cervical mucus;
• soreness of the mammary glands;
• increased sexual desire;
• aching pain in the abdomen.

Signs of premature egg release can be tracked by determining the level of LH in the urine using.

How else can you determine early ovulation?

Questions about pregnancy with this condition

Is it possible to get pregnant with early ovulation?

Yes, it is possible, but the probability of such an event is less than normal. With a premature ovulatory process, an immature egg is released from the follicle. It may not be fertilized or not develop further. Such an egg is hardly implanted in the wall of the uterus, so even the onset of pregnancy is interrupted at an early stage.

Early onset of ovulation is a sign of a decrease in the reserve capacity of the ovaries. The lower they are due to the woman’s age or illness, the earlier she releases the egg from the follicle.

An ovulation test performed early in pregnancy can instead determine the amount of hCG (these hormones have a similar chemical structure) instead of LH levels, and thus give false information about premature rupture of the follicle and the absence of pregnancy.

Another obstacle to pregnancy, for example, with a long cycle: a woman expects ovulation in the middle of the cycle, and the release of a mature egg has already occurred a long time ago, and all attempts to get pregnant are unsuccessful.

Can there be a cycle failure after an abortion?

Yes, this happens quite often. You need to wait at least one full cycle after that, so that the ovulatory function is restored.

In some women, after a miscarriage, ovulation consistently occurs earlier than usual, leading to infertility. The reason for this may be stress or hormonal imbalance. In this case, you must consult a doctor.

Treatment

Most infertility problems in women are caused by ovulation disorders. Therefore, before starting treatment, you need to consult a doctor and check the hormonal background.

First of all, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and smoking. In addition, it is better to sleep in complete darkness. This helps to restore the FSH level responsible for the first phase of the cycle. In this way, the normal cycle is regulated and fixed, which facilitates the conception and implantation of the embryo.

Other measures to restore reproductive function:

• a complete fortified diet;
• auto-training techniques to cope with stress;
• sleep at least 7 hours a day;
• hardening, physical activity in the fresh air.

Drug treatment includes the appointment of drugs that stimulate the maturation of the egg and its timely release - FSH and LH (Cetrotide). They are administered subcutaneously from the first days of the cycle until the period of normal ovulation. Self-administration of such funds is strictly prohibited.

To normalize ovulation, glucocorticoids are often prescribed, mainly against the background of hyperandrogenism. It is not recommended to suddenly stop taking them. In this case, early ovulation may occur due to Metipred, Prednisolone or other glucocorticoid drugs. Their cancellation is carried out only by a doctor according to a certain scheme.

If a woman constantly ovulates early on the 8th day of her cycle or a little later, she needs to see a doctor. This is especially important with a short menstrual cycle - 24 days, since the ability to conceive in this case is sharply reduced.

Sometimes for recovery hormonal background, for example, with, women take various dietary supplements. Their effect on hormone levels is unknown. Therefore, it cannot be said whether there can be early ovulation from Ovariamin or some similar means.

Self-restoration of timely ovulation is a complex process, which is difficult to influence only on your own. Therefore, all recommendations for treatment come down to general health promotion, restoration of the functions of the neurohumoral system. This should cause the restoration of hormonal levels in a physically healthy woman.

The use of progestogens (Dufaston) is aimed at maintaining an already formed pregnancy, that is, at stabilizing the second phase of the cycle. Progestogens do not affect the first half of this period and cannot cause early ovulation. The same applies to the popular drug Utrozhestan.

The use of Cetrotidne to prevent early ovulation

This process is most dangerous for women who plan to use assisted reproductive technologies. Indeed, with early ovulation, the eggs may be immature, which means that their suitability for artificial insemination may decrease.

Cetrotide blocks the action of the gonadotropin-releasing factor, secreted by the hypothalamus and stimulating the production of FSH. Thus, through a chain of chemical reactions, the early release of FSH, which is responsible for the premature release of the egg, stops. During ovarian stimulation, which serves as an indispensable link in preparation for, early ovulation is a frequent occurrence. For its prevention, this drug is used.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulates the release of LH and FSH from pituitary cells under the influence of estradiol, the content of which increases towards the middle of the cycle. As a result, a surge in LH levels is formed, which causes normal ovulation of the dominant follicle.

The drug is administered subcutaneously. There may be short-term soreness or redness at the injection site. Other side effects include nausea and headache. It can not be used during pregnancy, with renal and hepatic insufficiency, in postmenopausal women. The drug is dosed individually and is prescribed only by an experienced doctor in the center of assisted reproductive technologies. Self-administration of such hormonal agents can cause a serious failure at the level of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.

The body of a healthy woman of childbearing age is "programmed" for the birth of a child. The starting point in the process of conception is ovulation, due to which mature eggs appear, ready to meet with the sperm. It is important to calculate exactly when the follicle will burst so that this favorable time is not wasted.

It is generally accepted that the period of fertility occurs in the middle of the monthly cycle. However, the timing of this process is very individual. Both late and early ovulation in most cases are natural features of the woman's body. In addition, this phenomenon may be temporary.

What is early ovulation and why does it occur

The menstrual cycle consists of three phases:

• . This time is necessary for the maturation and growth of the dominant follicle;
• Ovulation time;

The phases of the menstrual cycle always successively replace each other. However, each woman has her own duration.

The average "correct" timing of the onset of the fertile period falls approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle. So, it falls on the 16th day (fluctuations of 1-2 days are possible). If the maturation and release of the egg occurs earlier than the 14th cyclic day, such fertility is called early.

Women mistakenly believe that pregnancy immediately after menstruation is impossible. However, it is not. early ovulation may occur as early as day 9 of the cycle. If we take into account that the average duration of menstruation is 5 days (and sometimes 7-8), then in this case the woman becomes fertile after it ends.

The causes of early ovulation are still not fully understood. Often their occurrence cannot be explained by any of the known causes: idiosyncrasy particular female body. However, in most cases, the occurrence of early fertility is due to one of two factors.

Reason 1: short cycle

A significant decrease in the interval between menstruation is associated with reasons of both physiological and psychological order. So, for many women, a cycle of 21-25 days is the norm, and its duration does not change throughout life. They ovulate on the 10th day is normal.

Changes in the time frame can also be observed with a long cycle. Many factors can reduce it:

• Excessive addiction to smoking and drinking alcohol;
• Prolonged stress and depression;
• Chronic fatigue associated with overwork and poor sleep quality;
• Malnutrition, strict diets, lack of vitamins and minerals;
• Disorders in the hormonal system;
• Constant use of potent drugs;
• Inflammatory process;
• Change of climatic conditions;
• Reinforced physical exercise;
• Abortion or other surgical intervention;
• postpartum period;
• The onset of menopause;
• Disorders in the work of the ovaries.

Almost always observed early ovulation after the abolition of OK (oral contraceptives). This phenomenon is easily explained. OK - hormonal drugs, therefore, taking and canceling a contraceptive leads to changes in the concentration of hormones in the blood, which is reflected in the work of the ovaries. As a rule, after eliminating the negative factors that caused the shortening of the cycle, its duration is restored.

Reason 2: "double" ovulation

Do not confuse with premature maturation of the follicle. Such an opportunity appears in the female body when the eggs mature in two ovaries at once. In this case, a woman can become pregnant even on the most “safe” days.

Symptoms and diagnosis of early ovulation

The signs of early ovulation are no different from the usual manifestations: some women clearly “feel” its onset, others do not notice at all.

Normally, ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle.

We list the symptoms by which you can navigate that "Day X" has come:

• Viscous and thick vaginal discharge, resembling the white of an egg;
• Pain of a aching nature in the lower abdomen;
• Sudden mood swings;
• Fatigue, headaches and dizziness;
• Special sensitivity of the mammary glands;
• Increased sex drive.

It is not possible to determine the onset of ovulation, which began ahead of time, using the calendar method. For example, the average ovulation with a cycle of 28 days occurs by day 14 (errors of 1-2 days are possible). The timing of the onset of early fertility can vary from 7 to 12 cyclic days.

The process of release of a mature egg can be diagnosed using several methods:

• With the help of special tests;
• Using .

Each technique has a number of pros and cons.

In order to calculate the onset of fertile days using basal temperature, no financial investment is required. It is enough to have a thermometer, a pen and paper on which you need to mark the rectal temperature daily. The method is simple, does not require costs and, subject to the rules of conduct, gives accurate results.

However, its use also has a number of disadvantages:

• Diagnostics is carried out daily for at least six months;
• Measure temperature indicators at the same time early in the morning;
• Any changes in the usual lifestyle or daily routine will affect the reliability of the results.

Ovulation tests show a true result always. According to the principle of action and appearance they do not differ from conventional devices for determining pregnancy. The only difference is that they fix the onset of ovulation, and not conception.

The disadvantage of this method is significant financial investments. After all, you need to use the test daily, starting from the end of menstruation and ending with the day when the strip shows a positive result. To make sure that this period is the norm for a particular woman, it is recommended to carry out diagnostics for 2-3 months.

Ultrasound diagnostics will allow not only to track the moment of ovulation, but also its quality. However, this technique will also require significant financial investments. AT public institutions the procedure is much cheaper than in private clinics, but it is done only according to the doctor's indications.

Can you ovulate immediately after your period?

Ovulation immediately after menstruation is not a myth, but a very real situation. However, it should be noted that this phenomenon is not very common, since it is most often caused by the maturation of eggs in two ovaries at once. In this case, ovulation is possible already on the 7th day of the cycle.

This one happens like this:

• In one ovary, the follicle matures and bursts. If the process of fertilization has not occurred, menstruation begins;
• At the same time, the second ovary “releases” a ready-made follicle, due to which ovulation occurs.

In this case, ovulation after menstruation can occur on any day of the beginning of the cycle. The earliest ovulation was recorded already on the 5th day of the cycle, that is, during the period when the menstruation had not yet ended.

At any time cyclical period, women should remember that preventing unwanted pregnancy in a calendar way is unreliable, because a fertilized egg can be ready to meet with a sperm cell already on the seventh day from the onset of menstruation. The onset of ovulation on the 8th day of the cycle is the norm in women with a very short cycle.

Early ovulation and conception

The onset of ovulation on the 10th day of the cycle is no different from this process on the 16th day. During the period of premature release of the follicle, you can become pregnant without medical intervention if the woman has a full-fledged mature egg that has met with active spermatozoa.

Pregnancy with early ovulation will occur in a woman under two conditions:

• Active intimate life of a couple. Since spermatozoa are active in the uterine cavity for up to a week, their entry into the body directly on the day the egg is released is not necessary;
• The absence of inflammation, hormonal imbalance and other deviations from the natural functioning of the reproductive system.

This means that early ovulation and pregnancy are not mutually exclusive concepts. In this case, the only problem is that it is difficult to calculate the onset of fertile days. Therefore, a complication in the premature exit of the follicle is an unwanted pregnancy or lack of a planned one.

Is treatment needed

The onset of premature ovulation can be both episodic and permanent. This phenomenon does not depend on the duration of the cycle, so every woman can face it. It is impossible to influence the timing of fertility on your own. You can change them with medications, if necessary.

The fact is that the early release of the egg does not pose a threat to the health of the woman. If the state of her reproductive system is in order, and the hormonal background is not disturbed, then no treatment is required.

However, the situation is completely different if the violation of the ovulatory period was facilitated by pathological causes. They can be recognized only with the help of specialists who, after a detailed examination, will identify the causes and possible consequences such violations.

Most often, the “culprits” of early fertility are hormonal changes. They are regulated by drugs containing missing hormones or suppressing their excess. The treatment process provides for mandatory clinical monitoring of changing hormonal levels.

During therapy, it is important to adhere to healthy lifestyle life, eat well and sleep well. Under these conditions, early ovulation will certainly end in a long-awaited pregnancy.

Ovulation- This is the physiological process of the release of a mature egg from the follicle shell into the area of ​​​​the fallopian tube.

Follicle is the sac in the ovary that contains the egg. At the beginning of the cycle, several maturing follicles, approximately the same size, are almost always normally released in the ovary. Then, after a few days, one of the follicles becomes dominant - it begins to grow faster than the others. Its size increases gradually from 1 mm to 20 mm. When the follicle reaches its maximum size, an egg is released from it, that is, ovulation occurs.

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The concept of ovulation is closely related to the female menstrual cycle. The beginning and end of the cycle are counted from ovulation, taking into account that ovulation itself occurs in the middle of the cycle (normally 14 days before the start of menstruation).

The egg matures and is released in each woman about 14 days (plus or minus 2 days) before the next menstruation. And on what day it will be from the date of the beginning of the last menstruation, it depends on the length of the cycle of a particular woman.

Ovulation begins to occur in the female body almost from the beginning of the period of puberty, usually in adolescence, from 12-13 years. Ovulation stops with the onset of menopause.

How does ovulation happen?

Relatively recently, scientists for the first time captured the moment of ovulation on video using modern equipment during an operation for IVF. Previously, it was a complete mystery, and one could only guess about what was happening in the female body.

It turns out that the process of ovulation lasts only about 15 minutes. A hole is formed on the wall of the follicle, from which the cell emerges. By the way, the egg is the largest cell in the human body.

The photo shows how surgical instruments support the follicle, the arrow points to the emerging egg.

The egg, leaving the ovary, is picked up by the villi of the fallopian tube, and they direct it towards the uterus and towards the spermatozoa. The egg cell waits for a meeting with them only 24 hours, and if not a single spermatozoon has reached it, it dies.

If during these 24 hours the fusion of the spermatozoon with the egg cell occurred, we can say that conception has occurred. As you can see, the moment of ovulation and conception are somewhat different in time.

When does ovulation occur?

In women who do not have chronic inflammatory diseases of the ovaries and other organs of the reproductive system, on average, once a month, an egg is released from one ovary into the uterine cavity. In rare cases, ovulation occurs twice in one cycle, from both ovaries with a difference of several days. This is how multiple pregnancies happen, in which babies of different sexes.

Do you ovulate every month?

Girls are born with a certain supply of eggs, which are consumed with each ovulation. At birth, the reserve is about 400 thousand eggs. When their number comes to an end, menopause occurs.

On average, ovulation occurs monthly, in every menstrual cycle. Sometimes it happens that out of 12 cycles in a year, one or 2 will be anovulatory, that is, without ovulation. This is normal and cannot be treated. This process has nothing to do with age. In women with a healthy reproductive system, the release of an egg from the follicle occurs every month and in most cases without much disruption. But with age, the number of eggs becomes less and less, and over the age of 45, ovulation can occur with a break of 2-3 months.

What day to expect ovulation?

It is believed that on average ovulation occurs on the 12th-15th day of the menstrual cycle. To set the date as accurately as possible, it is necessary to maintain a special calendar. This is an approximate method, because there is some difficulty in calculating ovulation with the calendar method. If you have a 28 day cycle, you will ovulate around day 14 of your cycle. If you have a cycle of 32 days - on the 18th day of the cycle, and so on.

But if a woman has an irregular cycle, then its length changes every time, for example, from 30 to 40 days, and it is no longer possible to calculate ovulation in this way.

Sometimes, the basal temperature method is used to calculate the onset of ovulation. In the absence of inflammatory processes, it should be stable daily, and before ovulation, under the action of the hormone estrogen, it decreases by 0.1 or 0.2 degrees. This suggests that the egg is already formed and ready to leave the follicle. Then the temperature rises sharply and stays within 37.0 - 37.3 ° until the next menstruation. It is this temperature dip that indicates the onset of ovulation.

Signs of ovulation

Many women feel the approach of ovulation for certain signs that are associated with changes in hormonal levels. These include:

• Pain in one side of the abdomen(associated with stretching of the ovarian capsule before ovulation and rupture of the capsule during ovulation). Pain can be of different intensity, but mostly pulling, sometimes given to the lower back. After ovulation, the pain completely disappears. If the pain in the middle of the cycle is very severe and radiates to the rectum, then this may be a symptom of ovarian apoplexy, and such a condition requires medical intervention.
• Change in the nature of the discharge. In the first half of the cycle, whites are practically absent, but towards the middle of the cycle they begin to appear. A feature is that the discharge during ovulation becomes abundant and viscous. At the same time, in a healthy woman, they are completely transparent. During the examination, the gynecologist can assume the day of ovulation, as he sees the “pupil symptom” - the accumulation of mucus in the cervical canal.
• Increasing sex drive. This is a natural reaction, as the body adjusts to pregnancy. A woman on a subconscious level becomes more attractive to men.

How to determine ovulation?

In order to obtain the most accurate information about the movement of the egg through the fallopian tubes, you should, of course, contact a gynecologist. It has all the necessary medical equipment that allows you to fully examine all the female reproductive organs. It is also possible to determine this process at home, but for this you will need to apply the following methods:

• use the above basal temperature measurement, the deviation of which is even half a degree, indicates that there is a healthy egg inside the uterus, waiting in the wings;
• buy at the pharmacy ovulation test, which works exactly on the same principle as the strips for determining pregnancy. With a positive test result, ovulation will begin in 16 - 26 hours;
• regularly count 14 days from the last date of menstruation, after which the probability of ovulation is extremely high;
• listen to the signs of your body, because in 85% of women during the period of movement of the egg into the uterine cavity, the hormonal background rises sharply, pulling pains appear in one of the ovaries and sexual attraction to the opposite sex increases (if you mark such days monthly, you can eventually trace the pattern that such a condition organism falls on the same dates, which are essentially the days of ovulation).
• Ultrasound allows you to visually assess the processes occurring in the ovaries. This method is used quite often in order to identify signs of ovulation. It's called folliculometry.
• Microscopic examination of saliva to determine ovulation. The changes that occur during ovulation affect the entire body. The microscopic method is based on the detection of the "fern" pattern in the study of saliva. You can also use the discharge during ovulation, which by this time becomes more viscous and thick.

Having this information, a woman, having spent a small amount of time, will be able to independently determine the cycle of passage of a mature egg and plan a long-awaited pregnancy, or avoid an unwanted conception.

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What is ovulation? How not to miss a good moment for conception? Everything is very simple - we focus on the signs and symptoms of ovulation, use the basal temperature, the ovulation test and folk remedies- and pregnancy in our pocket!

Ovulation: what is it?

Ovulation(from the Latin ovum - egg) is one of the stages of the menstrual cycle, which is the process of rupture of a mature follicle with the release of a mature, capable of fertilizing an egg from the ovary into the abdominal cavity.

The process of ovulation is controlled by the hypothalamus by regulating (through gonadotropin-releasing hormone) the release of hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland: LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). In the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, before ovulation, the ovarian follicle grows under the influence of FSH. When the follicle reaches a certain size and functional activity, under the influence of estrogens secreted by the follicle, an ovulatory peak of LH is formed, which triggers the "maturation" of the egg. After maturation, a gap is formed in the follicle through which the egg leaves the follicle - this is ovulation. Between the ovulatory peak of LH and ovulation takes about 36 - 48 hours. During the corpus luteum phase after ovulation, the egg usually travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If the egg is fertilized during ovulation, then on the 6-12th day the zygote enters the uterine cavity and the process of implantation occurs. If conception does not occur, the egg dies in the fallopian tube within 12-24 hours.

Ovulation and conception

When does ovulation occur?

Average ovulation occurs on the fourteenth day of the menstrual cycle(with a 28-day cycle). However, deviation from the mean is often observed and to a certain extent is the norm. The length of the menstrual cycle by itself is not a reliable source of information about the day of ovulation. Although usually with a shorter cycle, ovulation occurs earlier, and with a longer one - later.

The ovulation rhythm that is constant for every woman undergoes changes within 3 months after an abortion, within a year after childbirth, and also after 40 years, when the body is preparing for the premenopausal period. Physiologically, ovulation stops with the onset of pregnancy, and after the extinction of menstrual function.

How does ovulation and conception occur?

The female body is endowed with two ovaries located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce hormones, the best known of which are estrogen and progesterone.

The ovaries contain eggs even at the stage of intrauterine development of the girl. There are hundreds of thousands of eggs in the two ovaries of a newborn. True, they are all inactive until the onset of puberty and the first ovulation, that is, up to about 12 years. During this time, a certain number of cells die, but 300,000 - 400,000 full-fledged eggs remain. From the moment of the first ovulation until the onset of menopause, a woman will survive from 300 to 400 menstrual cycles, as a result of which the same number of oocytes capable of becoming fertilized will mature. During the menstrual cycle, one of the many eggs matures in the ovaries.

Under the influence of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of the pituitary gland - the endocrine gland on the lower surface of the brain, a follicle (sac) begins to grow with the egg selected for ovulation in this cycle. The diameter of the follicle at the beginning of the cycle does not exceed 1 mm, and after 2 weeks it reaches 20 mm. As the follicle grows, a bulge forms on the surface of the ovary, which by the middle of the cycle increases to the size of a grape. Inside the follicle contains fluid and a small nucleolus with a diameter of 0.1 mm.

The period of maturation of the egg until its release from the ovary can last from 8 days to a month, although on average it lasts about 2 weeks. The main factor influencing the duration of this process is the time it takes the body to reach the maximum level of estrogen. High levels of estrogen stimulate a surge in luteostimulating hormone (LH), which causes the egg to break through the ovarian wall within one to two days after a sharp rise in its level. In the middle of the cycle, approximately 12 days after the onset of menstruation, the pituitary gland releases large amounts of luteinizing hormone (LH), and ovulation occurs approximately 36 hours after that.

Chromosomes located in the nucleus of cells are carriers of the genetic code. The purpose of fertilization is the fusion of two germ cells (gametes) originating from heterosexual individuals. All cells in the human body contain 46 chromosomes. Therefore, two gametes must form a new cell containing also 46 chromosomes. With simple addition, 92 chromosomes would have been obtained, but this would have led to a biological error, the consequence of which would have been the termination of the genus. Therefore, each of the partners must halve their number of chromosomes (to 23). In the egg, a reduction in the number of chromosomes occurs after the release of luteinizing hormone by the pituitary gland several hours before ovulation. For such a transformation, 20 - 36 hours is enough for her. In preparation for the reception of the sperm, the egg pushes out to the periphery, into a small sac called the first polar body, half of its chromosomes. The meeting with the sperm must occur at a strictly defined time. If this happens earlier, the egg will not be ready to receive the sperm because it will not have time to divide its chromosomes; if - later, then she risks missing the period of maximum readiness for fertilization.

Next 14 days after ovulation, the second part of the cycle, take place in preparation for the conception of the uterine mucosa. All preparation is in vain if conception does not occur, and its biological consequences will pass along with menstrual bleeding. But in one of the ovaries, a new egg is already preparing for ovulation.

What happens after ovulation at conception?

The egg released from the follicle, having carried out the reduction of chromosomes, enters the fallopian tubes, which, with their soft fringes, are connected to the ovary. The fringes resemble an opened flower at the end of the stem. And its living petals capture the egg on the go. The fusion of the egg and sperm usually occurs in the fallopian tube itself.

The fallopian tube is a cylindrical muscular organ, inside it is lined with a mucous membrane covered with villi and containing glands that produce a secret. This structure contributes to the movement of the egg and (if fertilization has occurred) the embryo into the uterus.

To fertilize an egg, the sperm must enter the body around the same time that the egg leaves the follicle. This may seem easy to achieve, but the egg after ovulation lives for only 24 hours or even less, and the sperm remains capable of fertilizing it for only a few days. Thus, sexual intercourse should take place at your most appropriate time if you want to become pregnant.

Thus, ovulation period- the most successful period for conceiving a child. For this reason, it is important to be able to identify when does ovulation occur. You can do this yourself at home, for example, by measuring basal temperature. Special devices have also been developed (for example, the ClearPlan Easy Fertility Monitor), which, by the content of hormones in a urine test, can more accurately determine the moment of ovulation: ovulation tests. More accurate determinations can be made in the clinical setting, for example, by ultrasonic observation of the growth and development of the follicle and determining the moment of its rupture.

When planning a conception in a natural way, the procedure of in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination, one of the most important points is moment of ovulation.

Ovulation symptoms:

How to determine ovulation?

Symptoms of ovulation that a woman can notice without a doctor:

• short-term pain in the lower abdomen,
• increase in sex drive.

During a gynecological examination during ovulation, an increase in the amount of mucus secreted from the cervical canal is observed. In addition, extensibility, transparency of the mucus is sometimes used, and its crystallization is also observed, which can be done using a special microscope for home use.

The next most accurate method for determining ovulation is basal temperature measurement. An increase in mucous secretions from the vagina and a decrease in rectal (basal) temperature on the day of ovulation with an increase in it the next day most likely indicates ovulation. The basal temperature graph reflects the temperature effect of progesterone and indirectly (but quite accurately) allows you to determine the fact and day of ovulation.

All of these listed signs of ovulation and methods for determining it give only approximate results.

Signs of ovulation, which the doctor states:

How to accurately recognize ovulation?
There are methods that help to absolutely determine the moment of ovulation:

ultrasound monitoring (ultrasound) of the growth and development of the follicle and determining the moment of its rupture (ovulation), see photo. Ultrasound monitoring of follicle maturation is the most accurate method for determining ovulation. After the end of menstruation, approximately on the 7th day of the cycle, the gynecologist performs an ultrasound using a vaginal probe. After that, the procedure should be carried out every 2-3 days, to monitor the preparation of the endometrium. Thus, it is possible to predict the date of ovulation.

dynamic determination of luteinizing hormone (LH level) in the urine. This method is easier and can be applied at home using ovulation tests. Ovulation tests begin to be carried out 2 times a day, 5 to 6 days before the expected ovulation, strictly following the instructions.

Ovulation test at home

The work of home ovulation tests is based on the definition rapid growth the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. A small amount of LH is always present in the urine, but 24-36 hours before ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), its concentration increases dramatically.

Using ovulation tests

What day should you start testing? This day depends on the length of your cycle. The first day of the cycle is the day when menstruation began. Cycle length - the number of days elapsed from the first day of the last menstruation to the first day of the next.

If you have a constant cycle, then you need to start doing tests ~ 17 days before the start of the next menstruation, since the corpus luteum phase after ovulation lasts 12-16 days (on average, usually 14). For example, if the usual length of your cycle is 28 days, then testing should start from the 11th day, and if 35, then from the 18th.

If your cycle length varies - select the shortest cycle in the last 6 months and use its length to calculate the day when to start testing. With very unstable cycles and delays of a month or more, the use of tests without additional monitoring of ovulation and follicles is not reasonable due to their high cost (when using tests every few days, ovulation can be missed, and using these tests every day will not justify itself ).

With daily use or 2 times a day (morning and evening), these tests give good results especially when combined with ultrasound. With simultaneous monitoring on ultrasound, you can not waste tests, but wait until the follicle reaches about 18-20 mm, when it is able to ovulate. Then you can start doing tests every day.

Performing an ovulation test

You can take an ovulation test at any time of the day, but you should stick to the same test time whenever possible. In this case, you should refrain from urinating for at least 4 hours before the test. Avoid excessive fluid intake before starting testing, as this can lead to a decrease in the amount of LH in the urine and reduce the reliability of the result.

Determination of ovulation using test strips: place the test strip in a jar of urine up to the line indicated on the test for 5 seconds, put it on a clean, dry surface, after 10-20 seconds look at the result.

Determination of ovulation using a test device: Holding the tip of the absorbent pointing down, place it under the urine stream for 5 seconds. You can also collect the urine in a clean, dry dish and place the absorbent in the urine for 20 seconds. Keeping the tip of the absorbent pointing downwards, remove the absorbent from the urine. Now you can put the cap back on. The result can be seen after 3 minutes.

Ovulation test results

Results of determining ovulation by test strip: 1 strip means that the increase in LH has not yet occurred, repeat the test after 24 hours. 2 strips - an increase in the level of LH was recorded, the intensity of the strip next to the control indicates the amount of the hormone. Ovulation is possible with the intensity of the band as in the control or brighter.

Ovulation test results: Look into the result window and compare the result line on the left of the arrow on the wand body with the control line on the right. The line closest to the arrow on the case is the result line, which shows the level of LH in the urine. Further to the right of the arrow on the body of the wand is the control line. The control line is used for comparison with the result line. The control line always appears in the window if the test was performed correctly.

If the result line is paler than the control line, then the LH surge has not yet occurred, and testing should be continued daily. If the result line is the same or darker than the control line, then the release of the ear hormone has occurred, and you will ovulate within 24-36 hours.

The best 2 days for conception start from the moment you determine that the LH surge has already occurred. If sexual intercourse occurs within the next 48 hours, your chance of getting pregnant will be at a maximum. Once you have determined that an outlier has occurred, there is no need to continue testing.

Types of ovulation tests

The most common disposable test strips for determining ovulation, by analogy with pregnancy tests, their price is not high.

There are also devices for determining ovulation, which are gradually replacing expensive one-time tests, they also accurately determine the moment of ovulation, but are also multifunctional and more economical, they do not need to be changed after each use and they are designed for many years of work.

Tests allow you to accurately determine ovulation, experts associate the existing errors in the results of ovulation tests only with their incorrect use.

Thus, by combining several methods to determine the moment of ovulation, it is possible to track the long-awaited ovulation with a 100% guarantee. After all, it is on these days that the chance for successful conception is highest: there is ovulation - conception is possible.

Ovulation calendar

Using ovulation data from a basal temperature chart or tests for at least 3 months, you can create an ovulation calendar. The calendar allows you to predict the day of the next ovulation, so it is possible to plan conception and pregnancy.

Ovulation and pregnancy

In a woman, the few days before and after the moment of ovulation represent the fertile phase in which conception and pregnancy are most likely.

Different women have a noticeable difference in the timing of ovulation. And even for the same woman, the exact timing of the onset of ovulation fluctuates in different months. Menstrual cycles may be longer or shorter than average, may be irregular. In rare cases, it happens that in women with a very short cycle, ovulation occurs around the end of the period of menstrual bleeding, but still, in most cases, ovulation occurs regularly at the same time.

From the time of conception in relation to the time of ovulation, not only the actual conception of the child, but also its gender depends. Right at the time of ovulation, it is more likely to conceive a boy, while before and after ovulation, a girl is more likely to be conceived. This is explained by the fact that spermatozoa with the Y chromosome (boys) are faster, but live less and are less stable in an acidic environment before ovulation than with the XX set (girls). If the egg is already moving towards fresh sperm, the "boys" will reach it faster. If the sperm "waits" for an egg for a long time, most of the sperm remain in it to conceive a girl.

The probability of conception and pregnancy is generally maximum on the day of ovulation. and is estimated at about 33%. A high probability of pregnancy is also noted on the day before ovulation - 31%, two days before it - 27%. Five days before ovulation, the probability of conception and pregnancy is 10%, four days - 14% and three days - 16%. Six days before ovulation and the day after it, the likelihood of conception and pregnancy during sexual intercourse is very small.

Given that the average "lifespan" of spermatozoa is 2-3 days (in rare cases it reaches 5-7 days), and the female egg remains viable for about 12-24 hours, then the maximum duration of the fertile period is 6-9 days and the fertile period corresponds to the phase of a slow increase (6-7 days) and a rapid decline (1-2 days) before and after the day of ovulation, respectively. Ovulation divides the menstrual cycle into two phases: the maturation phase of the follicle, which medium duration the cycle is 10-16 days and the luteal phase (corpus luteum phase), which is stable, independent of the duration of the menstrual cycle and is 12-16 days. The corpus luteum phase is referred to as the period of absolute infertility, it begins 1-2 days after ovulation and ends with the onset of a new menstruation. If, for one reason or another, ovulation does not occur, the endometrial layer in the uterus is thrown out during menstruation.

Stimulation of ovulation

Lack of ovulation is one of the common causes of infertility.

Impaired ovulation is due to dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system and may be caused by inflammation of the genitals, dysfunction of the adrenal cortex, or thyroid gland, systemic diseases, tumors of the pituitary and hypothalamus, intracranial pressure, stressful situations. Violation of ovulation may be hereditary in nature (first of all, it is a tendency to certain diseases that interfere with ovulation). Anovulation - the absence of ovulation in childbearing age - is manifested by a violation of the rhythm of menstruation by the type of oligomenorrhea (menstruation lasting 1-2 days), amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Lack of ovulation is always the cause of a woman's infertility.

One of the common causes of infertility is the lack of ovulation, most often due to hormonal imbalance, which, in turn, can occur against the background of stress, brain injury, abortion, etc. To treat this condition, a complex of hormonal drugs is used that stimulates ovulation and causes superovulation, when several eggs mature in the ovaries at the same time, which increases the chances of fertilization, and is widely used in the IVF procedure.

Another cause of infertility may be, for example, luteal phase deficiency - NLF, when ovulation has occurred, and the concentration of progesterone in the second phase of menstruation is insufficient for implantation of the embryo into the uterus. In this case, treatment is carried out aimed at stimulating the function of the corpus luteum of the ovary and increasing the content of progesterone in the blood. However, the correction of NLF is not always successful, since this condition is often associated with other gynecological diseases and requires a thorough examination.

If the process of follicle maturation and, accordingly, ovulation is disturbed in a woman, ovulation is stimulated. For this, special medications are prescribed - ovulation inducers. Prescribing drugs leads to the stimulation of the development of one or more eggs in patients, which will then be ready for fertilization. Before the appointment of such a serious therapy, a whole range of tests is carried out, which allows you to determine the level of hormones in a woman. In addition to the use of ovulation stimulation, regular ultrasound diagnostics are also carried out. After the onset of ovulation, if it is still not possible to become pregnant naturally, the patient is given intrauterine insemination or IVF. There is a big difference in the method of ovulation stimulation for IVF and for natural conception: in the first case, they achieve the maturation of several eggs, in the second - 1, maximum 2.

Ovulation inducing drugs

The most commonly used drugs to stimulate ovulation are Clostilbegit and gonadotropic hormone preparations.

Preparations of gonadotropic hormones contain hormones of the endocrine gland of the pituitary gland - gonadotropins. These are follicle-stimulating hormone - FSH and luteinizing hormone - LH. These hormones regulate the process of maturation of the follicle and ovulation in the body of a woman and are secreted by the pituitary gland in certain days menstrual cycle. Therefore, when prescribing drugs containing these hormones, the follicle matures and ovulation occurs.

These drugs include Menopur (contains the hormones FSH and LH) and Gonal-F (contains the hormone FSH).

The drugs are available in injectable form, administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

How is ovulation stimulated?

Various ovulation stimulation schemes are used depending on the type of ovulation disorder and the duration of the disorder. When applying the scheme with Klostilbegit, the latter is prescribed from 5 to 9 days of the menstrual cycle. A combination of this drug with gonadotropins is often used. In this case, Klostilbegit is prescribed from days 3 to 7 of the menstrual cycle with the addition of Menopur (Puregon) on certain days.

When conducting ovulation stimulation, a very important point is to conduct ultrasound monitoring, that is, control of the maturation of the follicle on an ultrasound machine. This allows you to make adjustments to the treatment regimen, in a timely manner to avoid such a side effect of stimulation as the growth of several follicles. The frequency of ultrasound examinations during the treatment program averages 2-3 times. During each examination (monitoring), the number of growing follicles is counted, their diameter is measured and the thickness of the uterine mucosa is determined.

When the leading follicle reaches a diameter of 18 millimeters, the doctor may prescribe the drug Pregnil, which completes the final process of egg maturation and causes ovulation (direct release of the egg from the follicle). Ovulation after the introduction of Pregnyl occurs within 24-36 hours. Depending on the type of marital infertility during the period of ovulation, either intrauterine insemination is performed with the husband's or donor's sperm, or the time of sexual intercourse is calculated.

Depending on the duration and cause of infertility, the age of the woman, the pregnancy rate per attempt is 10-15%.

Conditions for ovulation stimulation:

1. Examination of a married couple.
List of analyzes:
HIV (both spouses)
Syphilis (both spouses)
Hepatitis B (both spouses)
Hepatitis C (both spouses)
Cleanliness smear (female)
Bacteriological crops: chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, candida, gardnerella (both spouses)
Pap smear for oncocytology (female)
Conclusion of the therapist on the possibility of carrying a pregnancy
Ultrasound of the mammary glands
A blood test for antibodies to rubella, that is, the presence of immunity (protection) in a woman

2. Passable fallopian tubes.
Since fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube ("Physiology of conception"), an important condition for the onset of pregnancy is passable fallopian tubes. Evaluation of the patency of the fallopian tubes can be carried out by several methods:

• Laparoscopy
• Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy
• Metrosalpingography

Since each method has its own indications, the choice of method is determined jointly by you and your doctor at the appointment.

3. Absence of intrauterine pathology
Any deviations from the uterine cavity prevent the onset of pregnancy ("Intrauterine pathology"). Therefore, if a woman has indications of trauma to the uterine mucosa (curettage of the uterine cavity during abortions and bleeding, inflammation of the uterine mucosa - endometritis, intrauterine device and other factors), hysteroscopy is recommended to assess the state of the uterine cavity ("Hysteroscopy").

4. Satisfactory sperm quality
Satisfactory quality of sperm is the absence of male factor of infertility. In the event that intrauterine insemination is not planned, a postcoital test (“Postcoital test”) is recommended before ovulation stimulation.

5. Absence of an acute inflammatory process
The absence of an acute inflammatory process of any localization. Any inflammatory disease is a contraindication for many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in medicine, since it carries the risk of worsening the patient's condition.

Folk remedies to stimulate ovulation are best used only after consulting a doctor.

Photo of ovulation taken during IVF surgery

The 3rd photo shows that several eggs have matured (after preliminary stimulation of ovulation).

The main task of a woman on Earth is considered to be procreation. Of course, both a woman and a man are involved in the process of conception, but whether the representative of the weaker sex endures pregnancy, whether she gives birth to a healthy child depends only on herself. Ovulation is necessary for fertilization to occur. Ovulation and conception are two interrelated states, because in the absence of ovulation, fertilization is impossible. Signs of ovulation are almost always noticed by a woman (consciously or not), so their knowledge is necessary not only for planning a long-awaited pregnancy, but also for preventing an unwanted one.

The menstrual cycle and its phases

To define the term "ovulation" you should understand the concept of "menstrual cycle".

During the menstrual cycle, functional and structural transformations consistently occur in the female body, which affect not only the reproductive system, but also the rest (nervous, endocrine, and others).

The formation of the menstrual cycle, which is physiological for the female body, begins during puberty. The first menstruation or menarche occurs at the age of 12 - 14 years of the girl and draws a line under the first period of puberty. The menstrual cycle is finally established in a year and a half and is characterized by the regularity of menstrual bleeding and a relatively stable duration. During the specified time (1 - 1.5 years), the cycles of a teenage girl are anovulatory, that is, there is no ovulation, and the cycles themselves consist of two phases: follicular and luteal. Anovulation during the formation of the cycle is considered an absolutely normal phenomenon and is associated with insufficient production of hormones necessary for the completion of ovulation. By about the age of 16, the menstrual cycle acquires its individual characteristics, which persist throughout life and regular ovulation appears.

Physiology of the menstrual cycle

The average duration of the menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days. The duration of menstrual bleeding is 3-7 days. Most women have a total cycle length of 28 days (75% of the population).

It is customary to divide the menstrual cycle into two phases, the boundary between which is ovulation (in some sources, a separate ovulatory phase is distinguished). All periodically occurring and repeating approximately every month changes in a woman's body, in particular in the reproductive system, are aimed at ensuring full ovulation. If this process does not occur, the cycle is called anovulatory, and the woman, accordingly, is infertile.

Phases of the "female" cycle:

First phase

In the first phase (another name is follicular) in the pituitary gland, the production of follicle-stimulating hormone begins, under the influence of which the process of proliferation (maturation) of follicles or folliculogenesis starts in the ovaries. At the same time, for one month in the ovary (sometimes in the right, then in the left), about 10-15 follicles begin active growth, which become proliferating or maturing. The maturing follicles, in turn, synthesize estrogens, which are necessary for the final completion of the process of maturation of the dominant follicle, that is, they are temporary glands. Under the influence of estrogens, the main (dominant) follicle forms a cavity around itself, which is filled with follicular fluid and where the egg “ripens”. As the dominant follicle grows and a cavity forms around it (now called the Graaffian vesicle), follicle-stimulating hormone and estrogens accumulate in the follicular fluid. As soon as the process of maturation of the egg is completed, the dominant follicle sends a signal to the pituitary gland, and it stops producing FSH, as a result of which the Graafian vesicle bursts and a mature full-fledged egg is released into the “light”.

Second phase

So what is ovulation? The second phase (conditionally) is called ovulatory, that is, the period when the Graafian vesicle ruptures and the egg appears in free space (in this case, in the abdominal cavity, more often on the surface of the ovary). Ovulation is the process of the immediate release of an egg from the ovary. The rupture of the main follicle proceeds under the "banner" of luteinizing hormone, which begins to be secreted by the pituitary gland after a signal is given to it by the follicle itself.

Third phase

This phase is called the luteal phase, as it proceeds with the participation of luteinizing hormone. As soon as the follicle burst and “released” the egg, the corpus luteum begins to form from the granulosa cells of the Graafian vesicle. In the process of division of granulosa cells and the formation of the corpus luteum, progesterone begins to be synthesized along with the LH-releasing pituitary gland. The corpus luteum and progesterone production are designed to preserve the egg in case of fertilization, ensure its implantation in the uterine wall and maintain pregnancy until the placenta is formed. The formation of the placenta is completed by about 16 weeks of gestation and one of its functions is the synthesis of progesterone. So, if fertilization has taken place, then the corpus luteum is called the corpus luteum of pregnancy, and if the egg does not meet with the sperm, then the corpus luteum undergoes reverse changes (involution) by the end of the cycle and disappears. In this case, it is called the corpus luteum of menstruation.

All the described changes relate only to the ovaries and are therefore called the ovarian cycle.

uterine cycle

Speaking about the physiology of the menstrual cycle and the ovulation cycle, it should be noted the structural changes that occur in the uterus under the influence of certain hormones:

Desquamation phase

The first day of the menstrual cycle is considered to be the first day of menstruation. Menstruation is the rejection of the overgrown functional layer of the uterine mucosa, which was ready to accept (implant) a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not happen, then desquamation of the uterine mucosa occurs along with blood - menstrual bleeding.

Regeneration phase

It follows the desquamation phase and is accompanied by the restoration of the functional layer with the help of a reserve epithelium. This phase begins even during bleeding (the epithelium is simultaneously rejected and restored) and ends on the 6th day of the cycle.

Proliferation phase

It is characterized by the growth of the stroma and glands and coincides in time with the follicular phase. With a 28-day cycle, it lasts up to 14 days and ends by the time the follicle matures and is ready to burst.

Secretion phase

The secretory phase corresponds to the corpus luteum phase. At this stage, there is a thickening and loosening of the functional layer of the uterine mucosa, which is necessary for the successful introduction of a fertilized egg into its thickness (implantation).

Signs of ovulation

Knowing the signs of ovulation will help determine the day of ovulation, for which you need to treat your body with great attention. Of course, ovulation can not always be suspected, because its manifestations are very subjective and sometimes go unnoticed by a woman. But the changes in the hormonal background that occur every month allow you to “calculate” and remember the sensations during ovulation and compare them with the new ones.

Subjective signs

The subjective signs of ovulation include those that the woman herself feels and that only she can tell about. Another name for subjective signs is sensations:

Stomach ache

One of the first signs of ovulation are considered pain lower abdomen. On the eve of the rupture of the follicle, a woman may feel, but not necessarily, a slight tingling in the lower abdomen, more often on the right or left. This indicates the most enlarged and tense dominant follicle, which is about to burst. After its rupture, a small wound, a few millimeters in size, remains on the ovarian membrane, which also worries the woman. This is manifested by minor aching or pulling pains or discomfort in the lower abdomen. Such sensations disappear after a couple of days, but if the pain has not gone away or is so acute that it disrupts the usual way of life, you should consult a doctor (ovarian apoplexy is possible).

Milk glands

Perhaps the appearance of soreness or hypersensitivity in the mammary glands, which is associated with hormonal changes. The production of FSH stops and the synthesis of LH begins, which is reflected in the chest. She is swollen and rough and very sensitive to touch.

Libido

Another characteristic subjective sign of approaching and onset ovulation is an increase in libido (sexual desire), which is also due to hormonal changes. It is so predetermined by nature that it ensures the continuation of the family - once the egg is ready for fertilization, then it is necessary to increase sexual desire to increase the likelihood of sexual contact and subsequent pregnancy.

Exacerbation of sensations

On the eve and during the period of ovulation, a woman notes an exacerbation of all sensations (increased sensitivity to smells, changes in color perception and taste), which is also explained by hormonal changes. Emotional lability and a sudden change of mood (from irritability to fun, from tears to laughter) are not ruled out.

Objective signs

Objective signs (symptoms of ovulation) are those that are seen by the examining person, for example, a doctor:

Cervix

During a gynecological examination in the ovulatory phase, the doctor may note that the cervix softened somewhat, the cervical canal opened slightly, and the cervix itself rose up.

Edema

Swelling of the extremities, more often of the legs, indicates a change in FSH production to LH production and is visible not only to the woman herself, but also to her relatives and the doctor.

Allocations

During ovulation, the nature of the vaginal discharge also changes. If in the first phase of the cycle a woman does not notice spots on her underwear, which is associated with a thick plug that clogs the cervical canal and prevents infectious agents from entering the uterine cavity, then the discharge changes in the ovulatory stage. The mucus in the cervical canal liquefies and becomes viscous and viscous, which is necessary to facilitate the penetration of spermatozoa into the uterine cavity. In appearance, cervical mucus resembles egg white, stretches up to 7-10 cm and leaves noticeable stains on linen.

Admixture of blood in secretions

Another of the characteristic objective, but optional signs of ovulation. Blood in the secretions appears in very small quantities, so a woman may not notice this symptom. One or two drops of blood enter the fallopian tube, then into the uterus and into the cervical canal after the rupture of the dominant follicle. Rupture of the follicle is always accompanied by damage to the ovarian membrane and the release of a small amount of blood into the abdominal cavity.

Basal temperature

This symptom can only be detected by a woman who regularly keeps a schedule of basal temperature. On the eve of ovulation, there is a slight (0.1 - 0.2 degrees) drop in temperature, and during the rupture of the follicle and after, the temperature rises and remains above 37 degrees.

Ultrasound data

An increase in the size of the dominant follicle and its subsequent rupture are reliably determined using ultrasound.

After ovulation

Some women, especially those who use the calendar method of contraception, are interested in symptoms after ovulation has taken place. Thus, women calculate "safe" days in relation to unwanted pregnancy. These signs are very uncharacteristic and may coincide with early symptoms of pregnancy:

Vaginal discharge

As soon as the egg is released from the main follicle and died (its life expectancy is 24, maximum 48 hours), the discharge from the genital tract also changes. Vaginal leucorrhoea loses its transparency, becomes milky, possibly interspersed with small lumps, sticky and does not stretch well (see).

pain

Within one to two days after the completion of ovulation, discomfort and minor pain in the lower abdomen disappear.

Libido

Sexual desire also gradually fades away, since now it makes no sense for sperm to meet with the egg, it has already died.

Basal temperature

If at the moment of rupture of the Graafian vesicle, the basal temperature is significantly higher than 37 degrees, then after ovulation it decreases by several tenths of a degree, although it remains above 37 degrees. This sign is unreliable, since even with the conception that has occurred, the basal temperature will be above the 37-degree mark. The only difference is that by the end of the second phase (before the start of menstruation), the temperature will drop to 37 degrees and below.

Acne

On the eve and at the time of ovulation, hormonal changes occur in the body, which affects the condition of the skin of the face - acne appears. As soon as ovulation is over, the rash gradually disappears.

Ultrasound data

An ultrasound scan allows you to reveal a dominant follicle that has collapsed due to a rupture, a small amount of fluid in the retrouterine space, and a later-forming corpus luteum. Ultrasound data are most indicative in the case of dynamic research (maturing of follicles, determination of the dominant follicle and its subsequent rupture).

Signs of conception

Before talking about the signs of pregnancy after ovulation, it is worth understanding the terms “fertilization” and “conception”. Fertilization, that is, the meeting of the egg with the sperm, occurs in the fallopian tube, from where the fertilized egg is sent to the uterus. In the uterine cavity, the fertilized egg chooses the most convenient place and attaches to the uterine wall, that is, it is implanted. After implantation has occurred, a close relationship is established between the mother's organism and the zygote (future embryo), which is supported by a change in the hormonal level. The process of securely fixing the zygote in the uterine cavity is called conception. That is, if fertilization has taken place, but implantation has not yet occurred, this is not called pregnancy, and some sources indicate such a term as "biological pregnancy". Until the zygote is securely entrenched in the thickness of the endometrium, it can be expelled from the uterus at the same time as menstrual flow, which is called a very early miscarriage or termination of a biological pregnancy.

It is very difficult to determine the signs of conception, especially for an inexperienced woman, and appear approximately 10 to 14 days after ovulation:

Basal temperature

At possible pregnancy basal temperature remains at a high level, about 37.5 degrees and does not decrease before the expected menstruation.

Implant retraction

If in the second phase of the cycle after ovulation, the basal temperature remains elevated (more than 37) almost until the onset of menstruation, then at the time of the introduction of the zygote into the uterine mucosa, it slightly decreases, which is called implantation retraction. Such a drop is characterized by a mark below 37 degrees, and the next day a sharp jump in temperature (more than 37 and higher than it was after ovulation).

implantation bleeding

When a fertilized egg tries to settle in the thickness of the uterine mucosa, it somewhat destroys it and damages nearby small vessels. Therefore, the implantation process, but not necessarily, is accompanied by small bleeding, which can be seen in the form of pinkish spots on the linen, or one or two drops of blood.

Change in well-being

From the moment of implantation, a shift in the hormonal background occurs, which is manifested by lethargy, apathy, possibly irritability and tearfulness, increased appetite, changes in taste and olfactory sensations. Also on early stages pregnancy, a slightly elevated body temperature can be noted, which is associated with the influence of hormones (progesterone) on the thermoregulatory center. This phenomenon is absolutely normal for pregnancy and is aimed at suppressing the immunity of the mother's body and preventing miscarriage. Many women take a rise in temperature and a deterioration in well-being as the first signs of SARS.

Discomfort in the lower abdomen

Several unpleasant sensations or even cramps in the lower abdomen for one, maximum two days are also associated with the implantation of the zygote and are absolutely physiological.

Milk glands

There is increased sensitivity, swelling and soreness in the mammary glands after the completion of ovulation. A slight increase in these symptoms indicates the possibility of conception.

Delayed menstruation

If menstruation has not begun, it's time to take a pregnancy test and make sure you're right.

When does ovulation occur and how long does it last

All women are interested in when ovulation occurs, because this is important for calculating favorable days for conception or for preventing unwanted pregnancy. As already mentioned, the ovulatory period is the time that lasts from the moment of rupture of the main follicle to the entry of a full-fledged egg into the fallopian tube, where it has every chance of being fertilized.

It is impossible to determine the exact duration of the ovulatory period, due to the fact that even in a particular woman it can change in each cycle (lengthen or shorten). On average, the entire process takes 16-32 hours. It is the process, not the viability of the egg. But with the term of life of the released "free" egg, it is easier, and this time is 12 - 48 hours.

But if the life span of the egg is short enough, then spermatozoa, on the contrary, retain their activity for up to 7 days. That is, if sexual intercourse took place on the eve of ovulation (a day or two), then it is quite possible that a “fresh” egg is fertilized by spermatozoa that “waited” for it in the tube and did not lose their activity at all. It is on this fact that the calendar method of protection is based, that is, the calculation of dangerous days (3 days before ovulation and 3 days after).

When it comes

To determine the days of ovulation, but approximately, a simple calculation will help. Ovulation occurs at the end of the first phase of the cycle (follicular). To know what day a particular woman ovulates, she needs to know the length of her cycle ( we are talking about regular cycles).

The duration of the follicular phase is different for everyone and ranges from 10 to 18 days. But the duration of the second phase is always the same for all women and corresponds to 14 days. To determine ovulation, it is enough to subtract 14 days from the entire length of the menstrual cycle. As a result, it turns out that if the cycle lasts 28 days (minus 14), we get the 14th day of the cycle, which will mean the approximate day the egg is released from the follicle.

Or the cycle lasts 32 days, minus 14 - we get the approximate day 18 of the cycle - the day of ovulation. Why, speaking of such a simple calculation, is it called approximate? Because the menstrual cycle, and especially the ongoing ovulation, are very sensitive processes and depend on many factors. For example, ovulation may occur prematurely (early) or late (late).

The onset of early rupture of the follicle and the release of the egg can be triggered by the following factors:

• significant stress;
• weight lifting;
• significant sports loads;
• frequent intercourse;
• harmful production;
• banal cold;
• change in climate, lifestyle or diet;
• excessive smoking or drinking alcohol;
• sleep disturbance;
• failure in the hormonal background;
• medication.

They say about late ovulation if it happens (with a 28-day cycle) on the 18th - 20th day. The reasons for this process are the same as the factors that provoke the early rupture of the main follicle.

How to calculate ovulation

How to calculate ovulation, you need to know all women, especially those who have long and unsuccessfully tried to get pregnant. For this purpose, there are several developed methods for determining ovulation. All methods can be conditionally divided into "biological" and "official", that is, laboratory-instrumental.

calendar method

• cycle duration (it should not be too short, for example, 21 days and not very long, 35 days) - the optimal duration is 28 - 30 days;
• regularity - ideally, menstruation should come "to the day", but a deviation of +/- 2 days is allowed;
• the nature of menstrual flow - menstruation should be moderate, without clots and no more than 5-6 days, and the nature of the discharge should not change from cycle to cycle.

We subtract 14 from the length of the cycle (the length of the luteal phase) and conventionally take ovulation as the day (it can shift). We mark the calculated date on the calendar and add 2 days to 2 days after - these days are also considered favorable for fertilization.

Basal temperature

A more reliable method is the method of calculating ovulation according to the basal temperature chart. To calculate auspicious days For conception, the following conditions must be met:

• measurement of basal, that is, in the rectum, temperature for at least three months;
• scheduling (this item is required) basal temperature;
• measurements should be taken in the morning, after a night's sleep, at the same time and without getting out of bed.

According to the drawn up schedule, we mark the first phase of the cycle, during which the temperature will stay below 37 degrees, then a preovulatory decrease during the day (by 0.1 - 0.2 degrees), a sharp jump in temperature (by 0.4 - 0.5 degrees) and the subsequent stay of the temperature in the mode above 37 degrees (second phase). A sharp jump will be considered the day the egg leaves the Graafian vesicle. We mark this day on the calendar and also do not forget about 2 days before 2 days after.

Ovulation Tests

Special tests for detecting the ovulatory process can be easily bought at any pharmacy (see). The action of the tests is based on the identification high level luteinizing hormone in any biological fluid (blood, urine or saliva). A positive test indicates the release of a mature egg from the ovary and its readiness for conception.

Gynecological examination

When conducting a gynecological examination, the doctor can reliably identify signs of ovulation using functional diagnostic tests. The first is a method for determining the extensibility of cervical mucus. The forceps capture mucus from the external pharynx of the neck, and then its branches are bred. If the mucus is viscous and the dilution of the branches reaches 10 cm or more, this is considered one of the symptoms of ovulation. The second is the “pupil method”. The increasing mucus in the cervical canal stretches it, including the external pharynx, and it becomes ajar and round, like a pupil. If the external pharynx is narrowed and there is practically no mucus in it (“dry” neck), then this indicates the absence of ovulation (it has already passed).

Ultrasound - measurement of the follicle

This method allows you to establish with a 100% guarantee whether ovulation has occurred or not. In addition, with the help of ultrasound folliculometry, you can create your own menstrual cycle schedule and ovulation calendar and find out about its approach or completion. Typical ultrasound signs of impending ovulation:

• the growth of the main follicle plus the expansion of the cervical canal;
• determination of the main follicle ready to burst;
• control of the corpus luteum, which is formed at the site of the burst follicle, the identification of fluid in the retrouterine space, which indicates that ovulation has occurred.

Hormonal method

This method is based on determining the amount of estrogen and progesterone in the blood. The latter begins to stand out in the second phase of the cycle, when the formed corpus luteum begins to function. Approximately 7 days after the release of the egg from the ovary, progesterone in the blood rises, which confirms that ovulation has taken place. And the day before ovulation and on her day, the level of estrogen decreases significantly. The method is time-consuming, requires repeated blood donations and finances.

Lack of ovulation

If there is no ovulation, this phenomenon is called anovulation. It is clear that in the absence of ovulation, pregnancy becomes impossible. It should be noted that a healthy woman of childbearing age has up to two to three anovulatory cycles per year, which is considered normal. But if there is no ovulation all the time, then they talk about chronic anovulation and you should look for the causes of this condition, since the woman is diagnosed with "Infertility". Causes of chronic anovulation include:

• thyroid disease;
• overweight or obesity;
• polycystic ovary disease;
• diabetes;
• lack of weight;
• hyperprolactinemia;
• ovarian dysfunction;
• chronic inflammation of the ovaries;
• endometriosis of the ovaries and uterus (hormonal imbalance in general);
• constant stress;
• excessive physical activity (sports, household);
• harmful working conditions;
• pathology of the adrenal glands;
• tumors of the pituitary or hypothalamus and other pathologies.

The following factors can lead to temporary (transient) anovulation:

• pregnancy, which is natural, no menstrual cycle, no ovulation;
• breastfeeding (more often against the background of lactation, menstruation is absent, but it may be, but the cycle is usually anovulatory);
• premenopause (there is a fading of ovarian function, so the cycles will be anovulatory rather than ovulatory);
• taking contraceptive pills;
• stress;
• adherence to a specific diet for weight loss;
• an increase in body weight or a sharp decrease in it;
• change of habitual environment;
• climate change;
• change in working conditions.

If there is no ovulation - what to do? First of all, you should consult a doctor who will determine what caused this condition, and how serious it is (chronic or temporary anovulation). If anovulation is temporary, the doctor will recommend improving nutrition, stopping worrying and avoiding stress, changing jobs (for example, those associated with night shifts to day shifts), and taking vitamins.

In the case of chronic anovulation, the gynecologist will definitely prescribe an additional examination:

• sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone, prolactin, testosterone, FSH and LH) and adrenal and thyroid hormones;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• colposcopy (according to indications);
• hysteroscopy (according to indications);
• diagnostic laparoscopy.

Depending on the identified cause, appropriate treatment is also prescribed, the final stage of which is the stimulation of ovulation. Basically, clostilbegit or clomiphene is used to stimulate ovulation, usually in combination with gonadotropic hormones (Menopur, Gonal-F). Ovulation stimulation is carried out for three menstrual cycles, and if there is no effect, the stimulation cycle is repeated after three cycles.

Question answer

Yes, such online calendars are quite suitable for calculating ovulation days, but their efficiency reaches only 30%, which is based on the calendar method for determining ovulation.

Question:
With an irregular cycle, will there necessarily be chronic anovulation?

Yes, an irregular cycle is more likely to be anovulatory, although this is debatable. Even if the monthly "jump" every month, the onset of ovulation is possible, but, as a rule, not in the middle of the cycle, but at the beginning or at the end.

This method is unreliable and not scientifically confirmed, but there is a hypothesis that "female" spermatozoa, that is, those that contain the X chromosome, are more tenacious, but slower. Therefore, in order to give birth to a girl, it is necessary to have sexual intercourse two to three days before the expected ovulation. It is during this time that the slow X-spermatozoa will reach the released egg and fertilize it. If you have sexual intercourse at the peak of ovulation, then fast "male" spermatozoa will outstrip female ones and there will be a boy.

Again, the method is unreliable. Spermatozoa containing the Y chromosome or "male" are more brisk and mobile, but very sensitive to the acidic environment that is in the vagina, so sexual intercourse should take place on the day of ovulation, which must be confirmed by ultrasound. "Male" spermatozoa, despite their activity, die very quickly, but if coitus was on the day of ovulation, their death will not happen yet, and "male" spermatozoa will reach the egg faster than "female" ones and fertilize it.

Question:
I play professional sports. Could this be the cause of the lack of ovulation?

Certainly. Professional sports loads are very significant, which not only leads to persistent anovulation, but also to malfunctions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-ovarian system. Therefore, you have to choose, either professional sports and fame, or the birth of a child.