4 min read
First of all, what is ovulation?
The female body is cyclical, much like the seasons, because each month, a new cycle begins with the first day of menstruation (winter), followed by the phases called: pre-ovulatory (spring), ovulatory (summer) and post-ovulatory (autumn). Ovulation is the key moment during which an egg (oocyte) is released by the ovaries into the fallopian tubes, the purpose of which is to be fertilized by a sperm. This phase is often compared to summer, when the body is at its peak fertility.
There are still many myths surrounding this essential phenomenon, creating confusion in people's minds. Don't panic, we'll demystify all that by revealing 4 (surprising) facts about ovulation.
Ovulation does not occur systematically every 14th day.
The pre-ovulatory phase, as its name suggests, precedes ovulation, which in turn occurs during the ovulatory phase when fertile signals are at their peak! The total length of your cycle and the arrival of ovulation depend on your pre-ovulatory phase (the few days before ovulation) which is the most variable phase. In short, these are the first few days after your period that can be influenced by any changes (stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, medication, etc.) and thus delay the arrival of ovulation.
So NO, it is false to believe that ovulation systematically occurs on the 14th day of the cycle, contrary to the prediction of applications based on fairly outdated calculations and on 28-day cycles.
Ovulation only occurs once per cycle
Of course, several eggs are candidates to be the big winner! But, only one egg will be released and will be able to start its journey towards the fallopian tubes to wait to be fertilized. It can happen that there is double ovulation (result: fraternal twins), despite everything, ovulation does not last more than 24 hours. You cannot therefore have two different ovulations during the same cycle.
Ovulation isn't just for making babies!
During our menstrual cycle, there is a hormonal game that takes place, notably with the ovarian hormones, stars of the menstrual cycle: estrogen and progesterone.
For example, estradiol is an ovarian hormone that promotes healthy bones, brain, and cardiovascular system. Similarly, progesterone, which is released after ovulation, helps reduce inflammation, regulate the immune system, and support brain activity and the thyroid.
"Women benefit from 35 to 40 years of ovulatory cycles, not only for fertility, but also to prevent osteoporosis, stroke, dementia, heart disease and breast cancer," says Jerilynn Prior, Canadian professor of endocrinology.
Ovulation leaves clues of its arrival
The exact date of ovulation cannot be determined. However, nature is well made and so is the body. In sympothermal, a natural fertility management method, we observe 3 fertile signals to be able to identify the "fertile window" during which ovulation occurs. We can therefore recognize its imminent arrival thanks to:
– Cervical mucus: we observe the sensation and appearance, which when ovulation approaches, is rather transparent, stringy, wet… a bit like egg white.
– Temperature: When ovulation has occurred, the temperature increases due to the peak of progesterone. Although this is a retroactive sign, it can nevertheless be confirmed that it has indeed occurred.
– Self-palpation of the cervix: as ovulation approaches, it becomes softer and lower and its opening widens to facilitate access to sperm.
There you have it, now you're a real ovulation pro!
Resources :
https://www.larabriden.com/the-secret-powers-of-ovulation/
https://helloclue.com/fr/articles/fertilite/ovulation-what-does-it-exactly-and-how-to-recognize it
https://www.emancipees.com
