How Long Does Ovulation Last
How long does ovulation last?
A lot of studies and different surveys have stated that a surprising number of women do not know when and how long does ovulation last. Ovulation occurs when the ovary releases a mature egg and this egg is pushed down the fallopian tubes, ready to be fertilized. As this happens, the uterus has thickened in its preparation for the fertilized egg. The egg, if not fertilized within 24 to 48 hours from leaving the ovary, will usually die.
Different factors contribute to ovulation: stress, illness, and more. And knowing more about ovulation and how long does ovulation last is very important to every woman, especially those seeking to get pregnant. Because it is when a woman is ovulating, this is the time when a woman’s chances of conception become the highest.
When does ovulation occur?
Ovulation normally occurs 14 days or approximately 2 weeks after the first day of menstruation. Some signs of ovulation include increased basal temperature, slippery cervical mucus, or premenstrual symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, breast tenderness, and more. It’s not exactly easy to calculate one’s ovulation time but by simply being aware of your body’s cervical mucus changes or even your mood swings can help you determine when you will ovulate. And although a lot of women have irregular menstrual cycles that change their ovulation time, the duration of ovulation remains constant.
How long does ovulation last?
The process of ovulation is, again, when an egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube. The journey takes about 24 hours and this is considered the best time for conception. Because a woman’s fertile period starts about 4 to 5 days even before ovulation occurs, and also because the egg can survive for about 24-48 hours in the fallopian tubes, if intercourse happens a couple of days after ovulation, conception is still possible. Also, because sperm can approximately live in one’s body for about 4 to 5 days, conception can still occur even if intercourse has happened a couple of days before ovulation.
Ovulation Calculator
There are a lot of applications online which can help one predict when their most fertile days are. Ovulation calculators help plan one’s pregnancy even further and some even attempt to predict the chances of one having a girl or a boy. The ovulation calculator takes the typical length of a cycle (28 days) and deducts the typical lacteal phase length (10 to 14 days), and then provides the calendar dates for when one is most fertile. The accuracy of ovulation calculators actually depend the regularity of one’s menstrual period. Again, a lot of women have irregular menstrual cycles and since the ovulation calculator relies mostly in that, the results of an ovulation calculator are not guaranteed.
Ovulation Predictor Kits
Available at most drugstores and grocery stores, ovulation predictor kits, just before ovulation, detect the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. However, luteinizing hormones can surge with or without the release of an egg so this way is not exactly foolproof. It still is best to pair ovulation predictor kits with other methods of monitoring your cycle.
In summary, ovulation lasts anywhere from a day too two days, but it is not a surefire thing to get pregnant, even if it is in this time period.
