Ovulation
After the egg is released, it travels through the Fallopian tubes where it will meet sperm if intercourse has happened at the right time
Ovulation? is the key event of the menstrual cycle?, which involves the release of an egg (oocyte?) that has the ability to be fertilised by a mature sperm?.
Ovulation separates the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle and the hormonal signal inducing ovulation is the surge of LH (luteinizing hormone).
Using DuoFertility will increase your chances of conceiving successfully by accurately monitoring your ovulation, so that you can plan baby-making intercourse for the most fertile part of your cycle.
The correct and accurate detection of an ovulation date from DuoFertility will also confirm that you are ovulating regularly, which is often a source of worry after a few months of unsuccessfully trying to conceive.
Additionally, other predictions can be deduced from the ovulation date, such as the day you can expect to have your period or a positive pregnancy test if you had intercourse during your fertile window?.
How does ovulation take place?
The ovaries contain a large number of follicles, a small proportion of which begin to ‘ripen’ each month, meaning that they each grow a tiny fluid-filled cavity that contains the egg or ‘ovum’. Usually only one follicle will reach the stage of complete maturity, signified by the rupture of the fluid-filled sac and the release of the egg, which is the process of ovulation.
LH is secreted by the anterior pituitary and circulates in the bloodstream to reach the ovary?. It stimulates the release of enzymes damaging the dominant follicule and causing the release of the oocyte (egg). The oocyte is then released into the Fallopian tube where it can be fertilised.
The ruptured sac that has been left behind after ovulation forms the corpus luteum? which is the structure within the ovary that produces progesterone. The hormone progesterone works to suppress the ripening of further follicles and is responsible for the rise in temperature that signals ovulation and the subsequent closing of the cervix and thickening of cervical mucus. The corpus luteum has a life-span of 12 to 16 days.
What happens to the egg once it’s released?
When it’s released from the follicle, the egg (oocyte) travels within the Fallopian tubes towards the uterus?. This is where fertilisation might occur. The lifespan? of the oocyte is quite short, 24-36 hours, so in order for fertilisation to happen sperm must either be already present in the female genital tract?, or intercourse must take place soon after ovulation. Sperm can survive for 3 to 5 days in the female reproductive tract thanks to cervical mucus, so the few days before ovulation are also considered part of the fertile period.
The peak fertility time is the day of ovulation itself.
How do I know when and if I am ovulating?
Your body will give you certain clues which can alert you to when ovulation is approaching, and when it has passed. The only clue that will confirm that ovulation has occurred is the rise in body basal temperature (BBT?) induced by progesterone, which the DuoFertility monitor measures.
Some clues can indicate that ovulation is about to occur: these include the position of the cervix and quality of cervical secretions. Commercial devices can help in indicating when ovulation is about to happen by detecting levels of estrogens? and LH in the urine. But these devices cannot confirm that ovulation has actually occurred.