Preconception 101

Lesson 1: Hormones 101

Dispelling Day 14 Myth – Detailing the Mechanics of Ovulation

It is a myth that ovulation occurs on day 14 of every woman’s cycle. Ovulation can occur as early as during the menstrual bleeding and much later than day 14. There are many factors involved in the timing of ovulation. The body actually begins to prepare for ovulation on the first day of the menstrual cycle. This is known as day one of your cycle. It is during this time that the ovaries start preparing a few follicles to be the potential egg. After your bleeding period is over, your body starts producing estrogen, and the ovaries are being primed for ovulation.

Hormones, stress, and the health of the individual all play roles in ovulation. Let’s start with hormones. Any imbalance in the reproductive hormones can impede or prevent ovulation.

The first hormone to work in the cycle is FSH. FSH begins peak production at the beginning of the cycle, while the uterus is shedding its lining. FSH prompts the ovaries to produce about 15 to 20 mature eggs. Each egg is encased in their own follicle. These follicles then begin to produce estrogen.

Estrogen begins surging through the body about three or more days before ovulation. This causes the cervical fluid to be clear, thin and stretchy or also known as “fertile quality cervical fluid”. This type of cervical fluid is referred to as “egg-white cervical mucus or EWCM”. EWCM offers the best mode of travel for the sperm to get to the egg.

The high level of estrogen prompts the release of luteinizing hormone (LH). The surge of LH causes one of the eggs to actually pop out of its follicle. Rarely more than one egg will pop out, causing the chances for conceiving twins, triplets or more. The period from ovulation to menstruation is called the luteal phase (LP). It is this part of the cycle that seldom varies by a day or two each month. The average length is twelve to sixteen days long. With the collapse of the follicle a “corpus luteum” forms.

The corpus luteum begins producing progesterone, the hormone that helps maintain the uterine lining long enough for a fertilized egg to implant. Progesterone is responsible for raising the basal body temperature. A drop in progesterone signals the body to begin shedding the uterine lining, thus bringing on menstruation. The luteal phase lasts about two weeks.

The LP can be longer or shorter than two weeks. An LP shorter than ten days is considered deficient in progesterone and is in most cases unable to maintain a pregnancy. No matter what day a woman ovulates, she can always tell approximately what day her menstrual cycle will begin, or what day to take a pregnancy test.

Sometimes a woman’s body can gear up to ovulation- releasing all the right hormones and stress will halt the process. Vacations, moving, company or anything that causes undo stress can delay ovulation until the woman is at peace and relaxed again. The role of hormones combined with the woman’s state of health - i.e.. sick or stressed, determines when and if ovulation occurs.

Sometimes ovulation does occur on day 14, but this is, by far, not the rule. Because the different elements that bring about ovulation can be varied or interrupted, it’s safe to say that ovulation can occur at any point in the cycle and not the day 14 that so many people once believed.

For more information on ovulation and hormones read Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.

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