What is ovulation?

Ovulation is the name of the process that happens usually once in every menstrual cycle when hormone changes trigger an ovary to release an egg. In this article, we look more closely at this process and explain how you use this knowledge to help you to become pregnant. Eggs are contained within follicles in your ovaries and during the follicular phase of each menstrual cycle, one of the eggs is grown and matured. 

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What are the stages around ovulation and when do you ovulate?

Ovulation is the name of one of the 4 stages that typically occur during your menstrual cycle.

1. Follicular phase. The follicular phase is when increasing levels of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) lead to the maturation of the follicles. Follicles of the ovaries develop and usually one egg fully matures before being released in ovulation. As you approach ovulation, your body produces increasing amounts of a hormone called estrogen, which causes the lining of your uterus to thicken and helps create a sperm friendly environment.  

2. Ovulation. These high estrogen levels trigger a sudden increase in another hormone called luteinising hormone (LH). A surge in LH causes the release of the mature egg from the ovary (ovulation) approximately 24-36 hours later, which is why the LH surge is a good predictor of peak fertility. The egg can only be fertilised for up to 24 hours after ovulation. Ovulation typically occurs 12 to 16 days before your next period.

3. Luteal phase. This is the phase between ovulation and the first day of your period. During the luteal phase, progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum (generated by the empty follicle left in the ovary after an egg has been released) and helps thicken the womb lining in preparation to receive a fertilised egg. 

4. Menstrual phase.  If the egg is not fertilised, then estrogen and progesterone decrease, and the lining of the womb is shed (the egg is lost with it) and your period begins. This marks the start of the next menstrual cycle. 

What is the difference between ovulation and fertile days?

Ovulation is when one of your ovaries releases an egg. Fertile days are all the days during your menstrual cycle when you have the ability to become pregnant if you have unprotected sex. While an egg only survives for up to 24 hours, sperm can remain active for up to five days. It may therefore be surprising to learn that a couple can conceive through sex up to five days before the egg is released. The total ‘fertile window’, taking into account the lifetime of both the sperm and the egg, is about six days.

Identification of additional fertile days provides couples with more flexibility to plan sex around their lifestyle and also more opportunities to conceive, which may reduce the pressure that couples can experience when trying to get pregnant.

When is a woman most fertile?

The graph above illustrates there is still a chance to conceive in the days prior to ovulation.

The day of ovulation and the day before are the two days of peak fertility. These days during each cycle are when you are most fertile, and therefore most likely to get pregnant from unprotected sex. There are also a few days before this when you experience high fertility and also have an opportunity to get pregnant. Outside this ‘fertile window’ of about six days, the chances of getting pregnant are low. However, if you don’t want to get pregnant, always make sure you use contraception as there is no safe time to have unprotected sex.

When does ovulation occur?

Ovulation usually happens 12-16 days before the next period. Many women think that they ovulate on day 14 but this is just an average. Most women will actually ovulate on a different day of the menstrual cycle, and this will also vary from cycle to cycle. In fact, menstrual cycles can range anywhere between 23 and 35 days and 52% of can vary by five or more days¹.

How do I know if I’m ovulating?

When it comes to physical signs and symptoms of ovulation, some women claim to feel a twinge of pain when they ovulate, but many feel no sensation at all. Others may get some of the physical signs and symptoms² below that indicate they are ovulating: 

• Changes in cervical mucus (i.e., it resembles egg whites) to ovulation discharge article.   
• Some pain or cramping
• Bloating
• Tender breasts 
• Increased sex desire
• A rise in basal body temperature

When do I take an ovulation test?

If you want to take an ovulation test, but you’re not sure when you should start testing, you can use our “when to take an ovulation test calculator”. 

We suggest you wait for your next cycle if you don’t know your cycle length, and note the day your period starts (Day 1) and the length of this cycle before using this online Ovulation Calculator tool*.

*This tool is for guidance purposes. Always use the leaflet provided with your product to work out when to test. 

How can I know when I’m ovulating?

The most accurate way to find out when you are most likely to ovulate, is by using an Ovulation Test. Some ovulation tests detect the LH surge to pinpoint your 2 most fertile days but others detect both estrogen and LH providing a wider fertile window. 

Other methods can be used such as:

• An ovulation calculator which can be used to determine the most likely day you’ll ovulate. This is done by using the date of your last period and entering your cycle length. It is worth noting that note cycle lengths vary from woman to woman and cycle to cycle¹.
• Measuring your basal body temperature.
• Checking your cervical mucus to see when you’re likely to be ovulating.

Clearblue^® ovulation tests are at least 99% accurate at detecting the LH surge and maximise your chances of getting pregnant. To get pregnant, it’s important to have sex on your fertile days; if you want to find out when are your most fertile days, it’s important to get to know your own body and your own personal menstrual cycle.

How long does ovulation last?

As ovulation is the release of an egg from an ovary it’s almost instantaneous – the follicle bursts and the egg is propelled very quickly into the Fallopian tube.

FAQs about ovulation

The bottom line

Ovulation is essential to get pregnant, as your ovary needs to release an egg to be fertilised. Sometimes you can tell if you’re ovulating by experiencing some of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, but it is important to note that some women do not experience anything at all.