Ovulation

The ovaries contain a large number of follicles, a small proportion of which begin to grow and mature in a tiny fluid-filled sac each menstrual cycle. Usually only one follicle reaches the stage of complete maturity and releases one egg/ovule. This is ovulation, one of the three phases of the menstrual cycle, and it is triggered by a surge in luteinising hormone (LH).

After ovulation, the released egg travels along the Fallopian tubes, where fertilisation by sperm can occur. The ruptured follicle left behind after ovulation forms the corpus luteum which secretes progesterone, the hormone responsible for the rise in body basal temperature (BBT) that signals ovulation. It also suppresses the ripening of further follicles, induces closing of the cervix and the thickening of cervical mucus. The corpus luteum is then degraded with the onset of menstruation.

The lifespan of the released egg is only 24-48 hours. Therefore, for fertilisation to occur, sperm must either be already present in the female reproductive tract, or intercourse must take place soon after ovulation. Sperm can survive for 3 to 5 days in the vaginal environment thanks to the right kind of cervical mucus. This is why the few days before ovulation are also considered part of the fertile window with the peak time being the day of ovulation.

How do I know when and if I am ovulating?

Your body will give you certain signs of ovulation, which can indicate whether ovulation is approaching, or if it has passed. These fertility clues include a change in the quality of cervical mucus, which makes the vaginal environment more welcoming to sperm, and the position of the cervix. However, the rise in body basal temperature is the most reliable way of confirming that ovulation has occurred.

DuoFertility's technology relies on body basal temperature and identifies your fertile days with an accuracy of 99%. It will increase your chances of conceiving by closely and accurately monitoring your ovulation, so that you can plan baby-making intercourse for the most fertile part of your cycle. In addition, the precise and accurate detection of ovulation by DuoFertility will confirm that you are ovulating, which can be immensely reassuring or useful for women who have irregular cycles.

DuoFertility can also combine fertility clues with body basal temperature in order to identify your most fertile days even more accurately.

Read more about how DuoFertility works

Read more about how DuoFertility displays your fertility status for the next 6 days

Did you know...?

Contrary to popular belief, both of your ovaries are not necessarily used for ovulation. In fact, it is very rare to ovulate from both ovaries in the same month (which could result in twins). The ovary that is active each cycle depends on where the dominant follicle resides. The ovary with the dominant follicle will be the lucky ovary to release an egg that month.