Understanding Your Monthly Ovulation Cycle

Every cycle is divided into two parts — before ovulation and after ovulation, also known as the Luteal Phase. In a 28-day cycle, for example, the pattern can usually follow the example below: Part One: The beginning of the cycle, called Day 1, is the day bleeding begins. The flow usually lasts about three-to-five days. Usually by Day 7, certain hormones cause some of the eggs in the ovaries to start ripening. Between Days 7 and 11, the lining of the uterus begins to thicken. The influence of additional hormones after Day 11 causes the egg that is most ripe to be released on about Day 14 in women who have a 28-day cycle. The other ripening eggs stop growing and dry up. Part Two: The egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. If a single male sperm unites with the egg while it is in the tube, the fertilized egg may travel on and attach to the spongy lining of the uterus. Pregnancy begins if this “implantation” occurs. If fertilization doesn't take place, the egg cell will break apart in a day or two. About Day 25, hormone levels drop. This causes the lining of the uterus to break down, and in a few days it is shed in a menstrual period. Another cycle has begun. Many women experience cycles that are longer than 28 days and so the above example will not be relevant. Cycles can vary, with the first half of the cycle, from the first day of menstruation to ovulation, varying from 13 to 20 days in length. It is during this critical first part of the cycle that fertilization can occur. Such common circumstances as sickness, worry, physical exertion, and even sudden changes in climate may occasionally upset a regular pattern by shortening it or extending it. The second part of the cycle, the Luteal Phase, from ovulation to the first day of menstruation, is about the same length in all women. The egg is released consistently 14-to-16 days before the onset of menstruation, regardless of the length of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Understanding your Fertility Signals There are 4 ways that you can keep track of where you are in your cycle, and combining them can assist you in your natural family planning. Basal Body Temperature Cervical Mucus Cervical Position Cycle Charting Basal Body Temperature One of the changes that ordinarily take place in a woman's body as part of her menstrual pattern is that her body temperature is lower during the first part of the cycle. In most women it usually rises slightly with ovulation and remains up during the second part until just before her next period. Recording each day's temperature helps to indicate when ovulation has occurred. The temperature method requires charting your basal body temperature (BBT), the temperature your body registers when you're completely at rest. BBT varies slightly from person to person. For most women, 96-to-98° F taken orally is considered normal before ovulation and 97-to-99° F after. The changes are small fractions — from 1/10 to 1/2 degree. So it's best to get a special, large-scale, easy-to-read thermometer that registers only from 96 to 100° F. You will need a thermometer designed just for basal temperatures for this. Taking Your Temperature Each morning take your temperature, as soon as you wake up — before getting out of bed, talking, eating, drinking, having sex, or smoking. Either insert the thermometer in your rectum or place it in your mouth for a full five minutes. Read the temperature to within 1/10 of a degree and record the reading. Charting Your Temperature Pattern Each reading must be recorded. Most basal thermometers will come with charts designed just for recording this information. As each day's temperature is plotted on the graph, you will learn to recognize your own pattern. Your temperature rise may be sudden, gradual, or in steps. The pattern may vary from cycle to cycle. You must also realize that your BBT can be influenced by physical or emotional upsets or even lack of sleep. In addition, illness, emotional distress, jet lag, disturbed sleep, smoking, drinking an unaccustomed amount of alcohol the night before, and using an electric blanket may affect your body temperature. Noting such events on the chart helps to interpret the readings. In the beginning, you should get help in reading your BBT chart from a physician, nurse, or family planning specialist. In time, under supervision, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to use the chart by yourself. Be sure to chart your temperature for at least three months before relying on this method. Cervical Mucus: It is important to use clean hands when checking for cervical mucus, and you can begin checking for this once menstruation has ended. The overall pattern is as below: Just after Menstruation Ends: You may experience a few days where there is almost total dryness Early Cycle Days: The cervical mucus will be scanty, thick, white, sticky and hold it's shape Transitional Days: As your estrogen levels really begin to rise mucus will appear in increasing amounts, be thinner, cloudy and slightly stretchy Highly Fertile Days: Fertile mucus maintains the life of sperm, nourishes it and allows it to pass freely through the cervix. In fertile mucus, sperm may live for up to three days, in rare circumstances for five days or even longer. You will notice it will become abundant, slippery, very thin, transparent and very stretchy (resembling that of raw egg whites) Post Fertile Days: As estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, the mucus will again become thick, white and sticky, so as to become a protective barrier against sperm entering the cervix. Cervical Position: It is important to use clean hands when checking for cervical mucus, and you can begin checking for this once menstruation has ended. The two key stages of cervical position are: Cervix is Low, Hard & ClosedAfter your menstrual period you will begin to start checking your cervical position. At this time the position of your cervix will be low within your body and easily reached with your fingertips. The opening to your cervix will be closed - feeling like a small slit or a tiny hole. The feel of your cervix will be rather hard to the touch. It will feel almost like touching the tip of your nose. During this phase (the first phase within your cycle) you are considered infertile. Cervix is High, Soft & OpenRight before ovulation occurs the amount of estrogen increases within your body. This causes your cervix to rise. When checking your cervical position, you will notice that it will move from the lowest point to mid and then extremely high. At the highest point it may be difficult to reach your cervix with your fingertips. The opening of your cervix increases making the slit or tiny hole much larger. The feel of your cervix is much softer now almost like touching your bottom lip. This is an indication of your peak or most fertile time. The cervix will remain high until you ovulate - after which estrogen subsides and the hormone progesterone is released causing your cervix to return to its low. closed and hard position. Cycle Charting: Using all of the above information, and charting them on a cycle calendar will assist you in obtaining a clearer picture of your cycle, and also help you in predicting your most fertile days of the month. Need more information? The Fertility Shop: Fertility Monitors, Ovulation Tests, Conception Information and more.