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 had my period on sept 21 and i have 35 days cycle i had unprotected sex from 21 to 24 of oct , and during those days i had cramps on oct 26 i had my period until the 29 of october even though i had my period my friend says i can still be pregnant and says to take a pregnancy test in three weeks can that be possible ?
I started menstruating on the 17th of october and ended on the 21st of october. I had unprotected sex on the 29 and the 30th of october. But my partner did not ejaculate into me. my cycle fluctuates between 28 to 30 days. Is there any chance that i could be pregnant mistakenly?
but,if i didi see it.what is going to happen?
i had my period on 7th of oct.09.what is day i will see it again.?
My fiancee had her period on the 27th of september, and I believe she ovulated on the 14th of october, but something wierd happened. The next day she cramped up as if having her regular severe menstrual cramps but no bleeding followed. 4 days after that more menstrual cramps but no bleeding. 4 days after that again but at that point closer to her actual cycle start date. We've taken several tests and all show negative, and she is now officially 3 days late. This happened with our first child sort of. She couldn't get a good reading off take home PT til a month and a half later. Is there a chance that she is still pregnant even tho it reads negative? 0/5 tests showed positive 5/5 tests showed negative.
i started my period on 17 oct and ended on 21 oct-09. i had un protected sex on 23 oct till now 27 oct. is there chances that i could be pregnant? r what are the days i could get pregnant?
i ave this concern my period finishes about in the early teens r about the 9th of this month i dont remember and i ave intercourse early early this morning n i think he came inside me but he said by the time he was to i put out he said he didnt feel the sperms pumping out but after i got off i saw abit on his tummy n he told it went back down because i pulled out b4 is it possible that i can get pregnant from that? n if he did came n we wanted to intercourse again how long does it take to erect back cause he told me he did if he did he couldnt erect that quick
hello my periods was started on 12th of oct ..and we were having intercourse on 24th oct .i jst want 2 know that hw many chances r there for pregnancy ....plz rply i m waiting ..n which time n days r best 4 easy pregnanacy .?
Kindly revert me ,
My wife's period starts on 18 sep-2009 , and after 10th of october we are not having sex together, she is got pregnent on ocober 26-2009 we checked with pregnance test card it is possitive, i want to know that which was her peak period to get pregnent
Hi, im 16 & trying to concieve with my boyfriend and i just ended my period on wednesday. I would like to know when it is the best time for me to try and concieve. I have trouble knowing when I am ovulating.
If anyone could help it would be much appreciated!
Thank You .
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