How Long Does Ovulation Last and What Are Some Common Ovulation Symptoms?

Every woman is different, and so is the menstrual cycle different for each woman. Typically the cycle lasts 28 days, but many healthy women have a cycle that's slightly longer or shorter than that. In women with regular cycles ovulation occurs on the 14th day, counting from the first day of the last menstrual period.

An ovulation calendar can help you find out on which days is your ovulation. There are also some common symptoms of ovulation which can serve as indicators. Ovulation and conception are closely related so read on how to identify ovulation.

The period from the previous menstruation to ovulation is considered as the first phase of the cycle (so-called estrogen phase, a phase of proliferation or swelling), and from ovulation to menstruation follows the second phase of the cycle (progesterone or secretory phase). Both phase are of equal duration.

If your periods do not last exactly 28 days, do not worry, this doesn't mean that you have fertility problems. In irregular cycles is usually the second (secretory) phase constant, lasting 14 days and the first (proliferation) phase is shortened, eg. to 9 days with a 23-day cycle. It may also be prolonged, for example to 19 days with a 33-day cycle.

So, if your cycle lasts, lets say, 31 days, you will ovulate on the 17th day. So if you work on conception during your primary fertile days - between 14th and 17th day, you have a good chance of becoming pregnant.

It all depends on hormones. Your body produces a Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which during the first part of the cycle stimulates follicle growth and maturation of oocyte. At this time the body produces high levels of estrogen, which in turn stimulate the release of luteinizing hormones which triggers the maturation of oocyte and release of oocyte from the follicle and ovulation. Usually only one oocyte will be big enough to "break" from the follicle during ovulation, but some women occasionally threw two oocytes, which can results in twin babies.

If you learn to "read" your body and get well acquainted with your menstrual cycle, you should know when you ovulate. The key is to watch out for changes in cervical mucus. Under the influence of estrogenic hormones, cervical mucus gets its viscosity at the time of ovulation, and contains the highest amounts of water (97-98%). After a period, you will feel "dry" for a day or two and then have a sticky, white secretion. As you approach ovulation this secretion will change into more transparent and sticky mucus, resembling egg whites. In general, this is quite noticeable, so pay attention because this is a pretty sure sign that you ovulate.