The average woman will have her peak reproductive years last for 15 years or more. Getting pregnant for most women may come easily, but for working professionals, it might be a bit more challenging because of the various stressors and demands of their job, which can affect their menstrual cycle and make it harder to determine their fertile window.

In most women, the time when they can get pregnant, called the fertile window, lasts for about six days. But for some women, it may be different.

 

Related Story: How to Delay Your Period Safely

 

​​Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

 

What Do You Mean By Fertile Window?

The fertile or pregnancy window is the time during a menstrual cycle when the person is most likely to conceive. Knowing when this window occurs can help couples who are trying to have a baby to increase their chances of success.

According to a 2020 study in the National Library of Medicine (National Center for Biotechnology Information), only about 30 per cent of women have the fertile window entirely within the days of their menstrual cycle. Most individuals reach their fertile window earlier and others much later. People should be advised that the timing of their fertile window can be highly unpredictable, even if their cycles are usually regular.’’

The first step in finding your fertile window is understanding your menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is a monthly process that prepares a woman's body for pregnancy. It typically lasts between 28 and 32 days but can vary from person to person. The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, and the luteal phase.

 

Related Story: Pregnancy-Safe Exercises To Strengthen Lower Body

 

The menstrual phase is the first phase of the menstrual cycle and lasts between 3 and 7 days. This is the time when the period occurs, and the lining of the uterus is shed. The menstrual phase is not considered to be a fertile time.

The follicular phase is the second phase of the menstrual cycle and lasts between 7 and 14 days. During this phase, the ovaries produce follicles, which contain immature eggs. One of these eggs will mature and be released during ovulation. The follicular phase is considered to be a fertile time.

 

Related Story: How Much Physical Activity Is Ideal For Pregnant

 

The luteal phase is the third phase of the menstrual cycle and lasts between 14 and 16 days. During this phase, the ovary releases an egg, and the uterus prepares for a potential pregnancy. The luteal phase is considered to be a less fertile time.

So, ideally, the most fertile window period during the menstrual cycle is the day of ovulation and the day before. Ovulation occurs when the ovary releases an egg, which can then be fertilised by sperm. The day of ovulation can vary from person to person, but it typically occurs around day 14 of the menstrual cycle.

You can increase your chances of conception during your fertile window by having intercourse during your most fertile days. It is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Additionally, it can be helpful to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using recreational drugs, as these can all negatively affect fertility.

 

Related Story: Everything You Might Want To Know About Egg Freezing

 

How To Calculate Fertile Window

Ever wondered how to calculate your fertile window? Tracking your fertile window is an important step in understanding your menstrual cycle and increasing your chances of conception. Here are some tips on how to do it:

1. Understand your menstrual cycle: The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but it can vary from person to person. It is important to know the length of your own cycle so you can accurately predict when your fertile window will occur.

2. Track your basal body temperature: Your basal body temperature (BBT) is your lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period. It increases slightly after ovulation, so tracking it can help you identify when you ovulate. You can do this by taking your temperature with a basal thermometer first thing in the morning before you get out of bed.

3. Monitor your cervical mucus: Your cervical mucus changes throughout your menstrual cycle. It is most fertile when it is clear, stretchy, and slippery, similar in consistency to raw egg whites. This is known as “egg white cervical mucus” and it indicates that ovulation is imminent.

4. Track your menstrual symptoms: Many individuals experience symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and breast tenderness around the time of ovulation. Keeping track of these symptoms can help you identify when you are most fertile.

5. Use an ovulation predictor kit: These kits measure the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, which surges just before ovulation. By using an ovulation predictor kit, you can identify when your fertile window is likely to occur.

 

By using a combination of these methods, you can increase your chances of successfully tracking your fertile window and becoming pregnant. Remember that it's important to consult with your healthcare provider for any personalised advice and to check for any underlying issues.

 

Related Story: Planning A Pregnancy? Things to Know Before You Conceive

 

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the process by which a person’s ovaries release an egg for fertilisation. Understanding the symptoms of ovulation can help individuals identify when they are most likely to conceive.

Healthy ovulation is a key part of getting pregnant, but it is more than that. It provides the body the much-needed levels of progesterone and estrogen, hormones that play a role well beyond fertility—such as keeping cholesterol under control, managing bone health and mood swings,” says Dr Vimee Bindra, Consultant Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon and Infertility Specialist, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.

 

Related Story: 7 Myths About Female Fertility And Conception

 

Symptoms of Ovulation

1. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) - An individual’s BBT rises slightly (about 0.4-1.0 degrees Fahrenheit) during ovulation. Measuring BBT daily with a basal thermometer can help identify when ovulation has occurred.

2. Cervical Mucus - Ovulation causes a change in cervical mucus, which becomes thin and stretchy, similar to egg whites. Tracking cervical mucus can be a useful tool for identifying ovulation.

3. Ovarian Pain - Some individuals experience mild pain or a twinge on one side of the lower abdomen during ovulation, known as mittelschmerz.

4. Increased Libido - Ovulation can cause an increase in libido or sexual desire.

5. Light Spotting - Some individuals may experience light spotting or a slight increase in vaginal discharge during ovulation.

It's important to note that not all individuals experience these symptoms, and some may experience different symptoms. Some individuals may experience irregular ovulation, which can make it more difficult to identify the exact time of ovulation. If you are trying to conceive, it's a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider to understand your menstrual cycle and identify the best time for intercourse.

 

Related Story: The Truths About Male Infertility

 

What Is An Anovulatory Cycle?

Anovulatory cycles refer to those months of menstruation when ovulation or the release of an unfertilised egg from the ovaries does not happen. This can happen due to hormonal imbalance in the body arising from a variety of reasons, and is treated and/or managed with an equally person-to-person approach—as per Dr. Rooma Sinha, a Hyderabad-based gynaecologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills.

In conclusion, finding your fertile window is an important step for couples trying to conceive. By understanding the menstrual cycle and tracking your menstrual cycle, you can increase your chances of conception during your most fertile days. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding habits that can negatively affect fertility can also increase your chances of success. Remember to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your fertility.

 

​​Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.