Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle refers to the cyclical development and then shedding of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Understanding your menstrual cycle is important if you want to chart your fertility patterns, predict ovulation, and increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
Note: The most reliable way to pinpoint when you ovulate - your most fertile time of month - is by using urine-based ovulation tests. These can be purchased for as little as $0.55 per test (with free same-day shipping) from Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com.
A woman's fertile period during her menstrual cycle, on average, lasts about seven days: seven days before ovulation (the release of the egg), the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. After this, chances of conception decrease quickly, as the egg has a short life-span of about 24 hours.
Given this somewhat narrow window of opportunity for conception, understanding the menstrual cycle can help increase a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. The key is to predict ovulation with as much precision as possible. Of course, both the length and regularity of menstrual cycles vary greatly among women - so successful ovulation prediction depends both on understanding the general dynamics of the menstrual cycle, as well as a woman's own unique cycles and patterns.
*Editor's Note: Do you have questions about your cycle, ovulation, fertility charting - anything relating to getting pregnant? We have a wonderful online community here at Ovulation-Calculator.com where you can ask questions, get information, or just let off a bit of steam! Come join in - we want to hear from you!
The Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Prediction
The menstrual cycle is divided into two parts: pre-ovulation and post-ovulation. The ovarian cycle refers to the cyclical development and expelling of the egg from the ovary. Though the length and regularity of a menstrual cycle may differ, the average duration of a complete menstrual cycle is 28 days (though healthy cycles can run from 21-36 days). Below you will find an overview of a typical menstrual cycle with an image map based on a 28 day cycle length.
Pre-Ovulation
"Day 1" of the menstrual cycle is the day bleeding begins. Bleeding - or "menstrual flow" - last about three to five days. By the seventh day of the cycle, eggs in the ovaries begin to ripen due to various hormonal changes. Between the seventh and the eleventh days, the lining of the uterus begins to thicken and it is possible to observe changes in the presence and consistency of cervical fluids. After the eleventh day, luteinizing hormone cause the egg that is most ripe to be released from the ovary and begin its travel down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. For women with a 28-day cycle, ovulation (the release of the egg) should take place on about the 14th Day - or the very middle - of the menstrual cycle.
Post-Ovulation
The period after ovulation is called the luteal phase, and it is marked by a slight, but clearly measurable, increase in body temperature. (Note that if the luteal phase is too short, pregnancy cannot occur. This is known as a "luteal phase defect". Natural fertility supplements, such as FertilAid for Women, may be helpful in addressing issues relating to luteal phase defect.) Following ovulation, the egg travels the fallopian tube toward the uterus. If the egg is fertilized by a sperm (conception), then " implantation" should take place in the uterus (if implantation takes place outside the womb, this is an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy can occur in several places - but the most common is in the fallopian tube). Pregnancy begins if "implantation" occurs. If the egg is not fertilized, it will "expire" in about 24 hours. Without fertilization, levels of certain hormones will decrease , causing the lining of the uterus to break down and shed - otherwise known as menstruation, or a woman's "period". The first day of bleeding is "Day 1" of the next menstrual cycle.
The first part of the cycle, from menstruation to ovulation, may vary from 14 to 20 days in length. The length of the pre-ovulation phase is often different from one woman to another - but it can also differ from month to month for an individual. It is during first part of the cycle that fertilization can occur. Of course, regular menstrual patterns can be altered by illness, insomnia, stress, physical exertion, and physical and emotional changes.

The luteal phase, or post-ovulation (from ovulation to menstruation), is generally the same length for most women - averaging about 14 days. As a rule, the egg is released 10 to 16 days before menstruation, or the start of the next menstrual cycle. If you have heard the term DPO on preconception chats, this refers to "days past ovulation". High sensitivity pregnancy tests can allow you to begin testing for pregnancy at around 7-10 days past ovulation.
Comments
I am a 24 years old woman and my menstruation is within 30 days. I'm trying and hoping to have a baby. My last menstruation started on August 8 and I had intercourse with my husband last August 22, 23 and 28. now i'm fell so tired, had headache, stuffy nose, got fever and sore breast(but it could be sign before my period too) from last 2 days.Is there any chances that I could fall pregnant?
If you wanna know when your ovulating, there are a few ways the best way is totake your index finger, insert it into yourself, now take your thumb and slightly push in to your index finger, now pull apart slowly. If the fluid is dry and doesnt sring between fingers, your not ovulating. if he fluid is wet but still not stringing or barely(like 2mm) then you arent ovulating yet but its coming. if it is wet and sticky and slightly strings(about 1cm)youare very close to ovulating. if the fluid is sticky andegg like and strings almost an inch you are ovulatuing. now its a good idea to stll have sex regularly, however about 6 days before ovulating dont have sex until u are about 2-3 days away. at about 2-3 days away start trying(mornings are the best time, and dont over do it.) hopefully this works for you, did for me. you can always go online and see what it says your ovulation period is, however i still advise you to check the fluid, its the best way.
hi there, wonder if i can hear your views.
the 1st day of my last period was 10th dec 09 and im now 38 weeks pregnant. i had sex on the 24th dec and the 4th jan 10 and was wondering what date i conceived. my cycle normal is 28 days regularly.
I am 21 years old, I read the article and it says that healthy menstrual cycles can go from 21-36 days. I have started to calculate mine since the last couple of months and figured that i have a menstrual cycle of 18 days. Should I be concerned and consult a doctor? I am still young, so will this effect me in the long run?
hi
we both know that we are fine in that department so its just a waiting game.
I am 29 this year me and my partner are trying and so far no joy
now for some reason i came on 7days early this month and thats unlike my body so i only had a 23 day gap , it was a very heavy period lasting 7 days ( 23 Aug 2010) because i came on early has my ovulation changed (the first day of my last period before the 23rd was the 2nd Aug 2010)
I dont want to have to buy kits to track and i dont want to get any sort of doctors help i want this to be natural and my partner feels the same, but we like to have a rough idea on our best chances.
Thanks xx
I am a 44 year old woman but my menstruation is still within the 28 days cycle. I'm trying and hoping to have a baby. My last menstruation started on August 9 and I had contact with my husband last August 23, 25 and 27. Is there any chances that I could fall pregnant despite my age?
i have a regular period my period was on the 31st of july and i have it again on August 22 lasted always 3 days. my cycle i believe is 21 days. i would like to know what is my exact day or how many days after and before does my body ovulated. i cant figured out. would help me please?
i started bleedin on the 4th august and have sex on the 23rd of august what is my chance of pregnancy
I am planning to fall pregnant.
I am 32.
I have just started my period today (August 31, 2010)
My period lasts 2-3 days these days.
Which can my partner and I try to get on with baby making.
I want to get pregnant this September.
Pliz advise.
I am planning to fall pregnant.
I am 32.
I have just started my period today (August 31, 2010)
My period lasts 2-3 days these days.
Which can my partner and I try to get on with baby making.
I want to get pregnant this September.
Pliz advise.
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