Calculate the fertile period knowing the length of the luteal phase
The luteal phase is one of the three phases of the menstrual cycle and allows you to know exactly when ovulation has occurred. If you have a regular cycle and know the length of your luteal phase, you can predict the moment of ovulation and therefore of maximum fertility.
The three phases of the menstrual cycle
Three main phases are recognized in a menstrual cycle: a follicular phase which runs from the first day of menstruation to the day before ovulation, the day of ovulation , and the luteal phase .
The follicular phase can have different lengths in each cycle and, depending on whether it is shorter or longer, it will cause ovulation to come forward or postponed and, consequently, subsequent menses. The luteal phase is generally between 11 and 16 days but every woman has its own specific duration : I have it for 15 days, others for 13, still others for 14…
If the cycle is regular (and therefore also the follicular phase is constant) knowing the duration of the luteal phase allows us to know when ovulation should take place except for problems of insufficiency of the luteal phase .
In formulas : knowing the length of one’s cycle which is regular, one calculates when the next period will be. From that day we “go back” as many days as the follicular phase lasts and therefore we find the day of ovulation.
To simplify the calculation you can use the ovulation calculator which has the option to enter the luteal phase .
Legend:
- F – Follicular Phase
- L – Luteal phase
- O – Ovulation
- OL – LH hormone peak
- OE – Estrogens
- OP – Progesterone
- O FS – Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- M – Menstruation
- E – endometrial thickness
The days around ovulation
Let’s delve into the days around the time of ovulation for a moment to better understand our fertile period (which isn’t just when we ovulate!).
Before ovulation
The 2 days preceding ovulation are considered very fertile , and are generally characterized by stringy and elastic discharge similar to egg white.
Since sperm can survive in a woman’s body for up to 3 and sometimes up to 5 days, they are considered fertile, albeit to a lesser extent , 3 days before, 4 days before and 5 days before ovulation.
After ovulation
From ovulation onwards, the so-called PO (post ovulatory) days begin . The day after ovulation (1 PO) she may still be fertile (egg survives 12 to 24 hours at most).
Then the non-fertile days begin and last until the start of the next menstrual cycle.
If there has been conception, between 6 and 12 days after fertilization, but on average between 5 and 8 POs, the implantation of the embryo takes place in the uterus. Nesting could bring with it some symptoms such as implantation losses .
Symptoms of pregnancy
Towards the end of this stage, in case of fertilization you may start to feel the first symptoms of pregnancy . It is possible to perform a blood beta hcg dosage at least 12 days after conception. A urine pregnancy test is best done 14-15 days after conception.
It is always advisable to combine other methods (such as cervical mucus analysis , basal temperature or sticks ) to understand when ovulation actually occurs. In fact, it is only these latter techniques that give us good and reliable indications of when ovulation occurs because they are based on perceived symptoms.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.