Is ovulation set in stone?

Many women (and men) still believe that ovulation always takes place on the 14th day of a woman’s cycle. Every time. On the same day. Always. That sounds too good to be true? Well, it is.

What happens during ovulation?

A strong increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), followed by an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates a follicle to swell further and burst, releasing an egg into one of the fallopian tubes. This egg then travels into the uterus. Estrogen levels continue to rise. This further thickens the lining of the uterus and supports the growth of immune system cells in the uterus. Testosterone levels rise rapidly and fall immediately around ovulation.

Cervical mucus increases and appears clear, moist, slippery and stretchy (similar to raw egg white) on the day of highest fertility. After the peak of fertility the discharge of cervical mucus decreases again and becomes drier. You may notice an energy boost as well as a pulling sensation in your lower abdomen with the release of the egg or feeling a sense of exhaustion, along with increased appetite or cravings or headaches.

The day on which the matured ovum is released into the fallopian tube, i.e. the day of ovulation, cannot categorically relate to the same day of the cycle. Just as not every woman’s cycle is the same every month, the time of ovulation also shifts. It can also happen that an egg does not mature in the ovaries in every cycle. Therefore, sometimes ovulation does not occur at all.

To mark every 14th day of the cycle as the day of joy in the calendar and to plan the associated joy dances afterwards is much more playing roulette than choreographed and tactful tango. If you wish to conceive, it is extremely important to observe every cycle individually so you don’t miss the fertile window.

Check out one of our other articles on this topic here.