WHAT IS OVULATION?

Ovulation is the shedding of the ovum (egg) from the ovary.

WHEN DOES IT OCCUR?

It has occurred exact 14 days before the day you started your periods i.e. it takes place around the 14th day of the menstrual cycle in a 28-day cycle. Whatever the duration of the cycle, the period always starts 14 days AFTER ovulation.

WHAT CAUSES THE OVARY TO SHED THE OVUM?

As with every aspect of menstruation, even ovulation is controlled by hormonal activity. A hormone called the Leutinizing hormone causes the follicle to rupture and release the ovum. For details click here

HOW TO KNOW WHEN OVULATION OCCURS?

There are several methods of knowing the time of ovulation.

1. Basal Body Temperature method (BBT): was the most commonly used method. Starting from the 1^st day of the cycle, you should record your temperature each morning as soon as you wake up, without getting out of your bed. You will notice that the temperature is actually low during your period and then gradually rises. As the days go by there will be a sudden drop in the temperature followed by a rise. This rise indicates that ovulation has occurred.



2. UltraSonoGraphy: In cases where it is very important to know of the exact day of ovulation eg when a woman is trying Assisted Reproduction like Test Tube baby or GIFT etc a major part of treatment is planned knowing the date of ovulation. A woman has to undergo a series of sonographic examinations known as the 'ovulation profile'



3. Cervical Mucus: A gynecologist while doing an internal examination can check the ferning of the mucus secreted from the cervix to get an idea of the date of ovulation

ENOUGH FUSS ABOUT TIMING OF OVULATION. HOW DOES IT HELP?

An egg remains viable (alive, capable of getting fertilized) for only two days, after ovulation has occurred. You must be aware of the fact that the male sperms introduced into the vagina during sexual intercourse remain viable for 4 days. Thus, pregnancy is only possible if sexual intercourse takes place during a interval between 4 days before to 2 days after ovulation. This is known as the 'fertile period' and this is made use of in couples who experience difficulty in conceiving. The remaining days are known as 'safe period' as far as prevention of pregnancy is concerned. This forms the basis of the 'rhythm method' of family planning but is not very reliable due to variable length of cycles even in the same woman.

Know your fertile period Know your safe period

HOW DOES FERTILIZATION OCCUR?

Once ovulation has taken place the egg is picked up by the fallopian tubes and begins traveling towards the uterus. If intercourse takes place during this time, the sperms entering the female vagina are transported through the uterus and reach the tube. One of the millions of sperms penetrates the egg and fertilizes it. Thus fertilization takes place in the tube and the zygote (fertilized egg) is now transported to the uterus.

In case the egg is not fertilized then it is shed during menstruation.