Ovulation
What is ovulation and what happens during ovulation?
The eggs are starting to mature from the FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (Luteinizing hormone) and estrogen.
the estrogen levels gradually rise when moving towards ovulation and helps making the discharge wetter and slimier – making it ”sperm friendly”. This reaches a peak right before ovulation, and therefore you often have lots of wet discharge on the day of ovulation.
LH stays at an even level until it suddenly makes a giant jump. It is this peak that initiates ovulation, and the egg will come about 12 to 36 hours after this peak (can be measured to an ovulation test).
When the ovulation is over, the egg is transformed into the corpus luteums, producing progesterone.
Does ovulation occur on alternate ovary sides every second month?
This can happen, but it is certainly not a rule that the ovaries take turns releasing eggs. Both ovaries are stimulated to maturing eggs, and they compete between themselves to getting the most mature egg. The ovary that gets the most mature egg, get ”permission” from the body to carry out the ovulation. It can be the same ovary winning this race many times in a row. Women who have had their ovaries removed usually have regular, normal cycles, and the remaining ovary will win every time.
Ovulation pains
Many experience pains in the lower abdomen in relation to the ovulation. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Unfortunatly, these pains are no guarantee for actual ovulation, and you cannot determine the actual time of ovulation from these pains. This is because:
- Some women have pains while the egg matures prior to ovulation, because the egg sacks get increseangly larger
- Some women feels a pain when the ovulation is completed.
- Some women have pains during all the stages of ovulation.
Ovulation blood
Some women may get blood or blood tracks in the secretions just before ovulation. This is a sign of a very fertile time.
It is caused by the lining of the womb leaking some blood between the dive in estrogen that occurs before ovulation and before enough progesterone has been produced in order to maintain the lining of the womb.
The myth about several ovulations in one cycle
If you define ovulation as the process of letting one or more egg from the ovaries, the answer is definitely no – you can not have more than one ovulation in each cycle.
It is a popular misconception that one can get ovulation form orgasm. This is a truth with modifications. Ovulation is controlled by hormones, not by sex. You cannot suddenly get ovulation because you orgasm. However, an orgasm may happen a few hours sooner if the egg has matured and is ready for release.
Orgasm and ovulation
What methods can you use to find out when you have ovulation?
There are a few different methods.
1. You can get an ultrasound follicular scanning can help the doctor accurately predict when ovulation will occur (when the eggs mature).
2. Blood tests can be taken by a doctor about one week after (assumed) ovulation to ensure raised prodesterone levels. It is very important the this test is taken about a week (6 – 8 days) after ovulation so that the result isn’t misleading.
3. If you have regular cycles you can try and calculate the probable ovulation date by the calendar. Calculate the ovulation to be 14 days BEFORE nest expected ovulation. This is not a good method if you are irregular.
4. Ovulation tests can be of great help.
5. Fertility Awareness Method is also popular, you measure the basal temperature each morning, check the cervical fluid and check the cervix consistency and placement.