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The woman's menstrual cycle and pregnancy risk


In women, the menstrual cycle is punctuated by several distinct periods. That of ovulation situated mid-cycle is the best time to procreate.

The ovulation period is mid-cycle (the 13th or 14th day). It comes after a period of preparation of the ovary that begins the first day of menstruation.

The day of ovulation is when the ovary expels an egg into the fallopian tube. There he will unite with a sperm to give birth nine months later a child. Knowing that the egg has a lifespan of 12 to 24 hours, couples wishing to conceive should monitor the menstrual cycle for a sexual encounter occurs within the same time or even shortly before since Sperm survive in the cervix for 3 to 5 days. The period of female fertility is therefore between 4 days before ovulation and 24 hours after. For a normal cycle of 28 days, starting on the first day of menstruation, ovulation occurs on day 14. For shorter cycles, ovulation can take place after the 10th day.


Signs of ovulation

To improve the chances of procreation, several techniques exist to detect ovulation. Some women show some signs during this period (taut breasts, pain in the ovary that ovulates, heightened libido, vaginal secretions richer) but others see nothing. For women specifically, several techniques can detect the time of ovulation. Among the most common and safest, there are the so-called scheduled reports. It consists of a hormonal monitoring in most cases by urine test.

These ovulation tests sold in pharmacies to detect impending ovulation (24 to 48 hours in advance) depending on the concentration of hormones present in urine and allow the couple to have sex at the time of maximum fertility. They are very effective and provide information on the ovulation date, including when cycles are irregular. Another widely used technique is based on changes in body temperature. To create a reliable temperature curve, the woman must take her temperature every morning for three months before getting up, starting the first day of menstruation.

The transition from a low temperature to a high temperature is very rapid. The "temperature spike" coincides with the end of ovulation. This technique has one major drawback: it needs to have regular cycles because it detects ovulation retrospectively.