
A woman may only have about 60 hours during the cycle when conception is possible.
A woman may only have about 60 hours or less than 2.5 days during the cycle when conception is possible. Once the egg dies, a woman may no longer be fertile, and their period will come to start the next cycle. Eggs are only viable for about 24 hours after they’re released (ovulation). If combined with the 36 hours between a positive ovulation test and ovulation, the fertile period comes down to less than 60 hours. This is because the sperm can survive inside the cervix for up to 5 days; if fertile cervical mucus is present, having intercourse before the ovulation occurs can ensure the sperm is waiting for the egg to be released, giving the egg a higher chance to be fertilized.
Ovulation may sometimes vary depending on the menstrual cycle.
- If the average menstrual cycle of a woman is 28 days, then ovulation may occur around day 14, and the most fertile days are 12, 13, and 14.
- If the average menstrual cycle of a woman is 35 days, then ovulation may occur around day 21, and the most fertile days are 19, 20, and 21.
- If the average menstrual cycle of a woman is shorter or say 21 days, then ovulation may occur around day 7, and the most fertile days are 5, 6, and 7.
Which tests are usually considered to know the ovulation days for pregnancy?
A woman may rely on few accurate and common tests that include:
- Ovulation kits: These contain antibodies specific to luteinizing hormone (LH) that peak around 12-36 hours before ovulation. Testing the morning sample of urine with these kits helps determine whether ovulation has occurred. These home testing kits give accurate results in about 90% of cases.
- Fertility monitors: It is an all-inclusive device that monitors monthly cycles, hormone levels, body temperature, and electrolyte levels. This may help chart out the ovulating days every month.
- Blood tests: The most common blood test is detecting progesterone levels. It is typically done in the third week of the cycle around days 21-23. Progesterone is released in pulses after ovulation, so even numbers that seem low might be perfectly normal. LH can also be detected at high levels in the blood for 48 hours around ovulation. This test is not commonly performed because it requires frequent trips to the laboratory for blood testing.
- Transvaginal ultrasound: The egg develops within a part of the ovary called the follicle (a fluid-filled sac). As the egg gets ready to ovulate, the follicle grows larger. Follicle growth can be measured with an ultrasound, a technique that uses sound waves to produce an image on a monitor screen using a tampon-like probe placed in the vagina. Before ovulation, the follicle is thin-walled and filled with fluid. Ovulation generally occurs when the follicle measures between 1.8 and 2.5 cm. For a woman having fertility treatment, an ultrasound may help time intercourse or insemination (introduction of the semen into the uterus). In a woman taking fertility drugs, an ultrasound may be done on several different days during the menstrual cycle to measure and monitor each follicle.

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The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowHow can I tell when I'm ovulating
Ovulating days or the most fertile days in a woman start around 14 days before their next period starts. Below are few common symptoms when a woman may be ovulating:
- Increased sex drive: Feeling more sexy or sociable than normal may be a sign of ovulation. Especially during the mid of the cycle, the body may be giving few signs that it is ready for sexual intercourse as the egg is released.
- Changes in the breasts: Few women feel that their breasts are a little sore about mid-way through the cycle, which may be a sign of ovulation.
- Increase in the basal body temperature: Due to a surge in progesterone hormone, a woman’s basal body temperature (body temperature while you are resting) may be increased by about 0.5° during ovulation. A woman can measure their basal body temperature by putting a thermometer at the bedside and taking the temperature first thing in the morning. Keeping a track of basal temperature can chart out the most fertile days in the month.
- Stomach pain: Few women may feel something in their belly around ovulation. These sensations may vary widely and could be anything from mild aches to twinges of pain. Some women have a condition called Mittelschmerz, where they feel ovulation as one-sided backache or a tender area. The feeling may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.
- Change in the vaginal discharge: A woman usually notices changes in the cervical mucus (vaginal discharge), especially during ovulating days. The changes are caused by rising levels of estrogen in the body that need to release an egg. A woman may be the most fertile when the cervical mucus has the consistency of a raw egg white, which may be clear and slippery. This is helpful for the sperm moving through the uterus because it helps speed them up and nourishes and protects them as they travel toward the fallopian tubes to meet the egg.
- Mild spotting: Around 3% of women experience spotting during ovulation. Rapid hormonal changes can potentially cause spotting usually pink or pale red during ovulating. However, it is not very common.
Top After a Positive Ovulation Test Are You Fertile? Related Articles
Can You Get Pregnant Without Ovulating?
You can't get pregnant if you are not ovulating because there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize. You can get pregnant if you have unprotected sex anywhere from 5 days before ovulation until 1 day after ovulation. A woman’s complete menstrual cycle is usually 24 to 37 days long, although some women may have somewhat shorter or longer cycles. Ovulation is your fertile phase of each month. During this phase, your ovaries (a woman’s reproductive organs) release an egg (ovum).Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Ovulation & Fertility
Boost fertility and increase your chances to conceive. Learn about ovulation calendars, diet, aging and other factors that can affect pregnancy.Ovulation Calculator and Fertility Calendar
Ovulation calculators and calendars are tools that attempt to predict when women might ovulate. These tools are based on the typical length of their menstrual cycle and the expected window for ovulation. These tools will guide women when they are releasing an egg each month (also known as ovulation) and when are they most fertile for the best chances of getting pregnant.What Are the Signs of Ovulation in a Woman?
Ovulation is the release of a mature egg or ovum from the ovary. The ovum is released from the ovary and it travels to the tube-like structures called the fallopian tubes. Ovulation generally occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Some of the ways that tell you are ovulating are by measuring basal body temperature, observing a change in cervical mucus, testing hormone levels, performing a transvaginal ultrasound or by observing other signs.What Does Cervical Mucus Look Like After Ovulation?
The consistency of cervical mucus fluctuates throughout the month. Learn what cervical mucus should look like during and after ovulation and when you should see a doctor.