Fertile days - how to calculate when to expect them? Methods for determining ovulation

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Knowing when fertile days occur in the menstrual cycle is essential if the couple is trying to have a baby or, on the contrary, when a woman prefers to avoid pregnancy. Especially since the life span of an egg is not the only moment when fertilisation can occur. But then there is the highest probability of conception. Read about the natural methods of determining fertile days, the ovulation process and the various phases of the menstrual cycle below.

Menstrual cycle and determination of fertile days

Knowledge of the different phases of the menstrual cycle, as well as the ability to notice the accompanying symptoms, is a key issue in determining fertile days. The menstrual cycle of an average woman lasts 28 days. However, due to hormonal fluctuations, stress, infections and climate change, its length may vary. The first day of the cycle is the first day of menstruation, during which the epithelium of the uterus (endometrium) is exfoliated. This is strictly conditioned by hormones such as progesterone or estrogen, whose secretion is dependent on the signal transmitted by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus to the ovaries. The FSH hormone, which stimulates ovarian follicles to secretion of estrogen, also plays a significant role. Menstrual bleeding usually lasts four days (sometimes even longer), and is included in the so-called follicular phase, during which the concentration of estrogens is highest. Right after menstruation, the woman's body is gradually prepared for ovulation.

Ovulation, i.e. fertile days

Ovulation, also known as ovulation, occurs at the last stage of the follicular phase, i.e. approximately on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. This is the moment when the Graaf's follicle breaks in the ovary, which releases the ready to fertilize egg cell (gamete). This cell lives from 6 to 24 hours and during this time fertilisation may occur. However, this does not mean that conception can only occur at that specific time, as male sperm can live in a woman's body for up to 80 hours, i.e. about 4 days. This means that fertile days start 5 days before ovulation and last up to 4 days after ovulation.

Natural methods for determining fertile days

In order to determine the fertile days, you can use the so-called calendar method, i.e. precisely mark the start and end of menstruation in the calendar and determine the individual length of the entire cycle. In addition, during ovulation, some ladies may notice some of its symptoms, such as spotting or pain in the ovaries.

Another method of determining fertile days is the observation of mucus. During ovulation, the vaginal discharge is transparent and slippery, and its consistency is similar to that of a hen's egg white. During the remaining phases of menstruation, the mucus is white and viscous, making it easy to distinguish between them.

It is also a good idea to observe the body temperature in order to determine the fertile days. It grows just after ovulation and can last up to 2 weeks. If you decide on this method of determining the fertile days, you should equip yourself with an extremely accurate ovulation thermometer. Its purchase is necessary because it measures the temperature with an accuracy of 0.05ºC. Measurements shall be made on a daily basis throughout the cycle. It is important to remember that temperature measurements should always be made in the same way, taking into account the body position, time of day and duration of measurement. It is recommended to do this immediately after waking up but before getting out of bed, preferably by inserting a thermometer into the mouth, vagina or rectum, i.e. in a place where the temperature of the mucous membrane can be measured. Remember to record the measurement results accurately. It is worth being aware that there are also a number of factors that can disturb the body temperature, so it is better to opt out of this method when a woman:

• he's on medication,

• is ill or has a cold,

• is working night shifts,

• was on a journey with a time zone change,

• ...is making a considerable physical effort,

• is in a state of mental stress or experiencing stress.

Other methods of determining fertile days

A modern method of determining ovulation is to perform a fertility test, which is available for purchase in a pharmacy, without a prescription. It consists of five stripes for each day. The test is performed on those days when ovulation should take place according to the calendar. It consists of placing a strap in a urine container for 10 seconds. The result is readable after about 5 minutes. This is quite a reliable method, because tests of this type check the concentration of luteinizing hormone, which is the highest during the ovulation period. You can also use electronic calculators available online. The system automatically estimates when fertile days may occur, on the basis of a questionnaire completed by the woman on the start and end dates of menstruation and the length of the cycle.