Myths and reality about ovulation
There are ancient beliefs that ovulation always occurs on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle or that you can ovulate several times in a menstrual cycle. Let’s debunk some myths and false beliefs by clarifying the correct information to avoid making mistakes when we try to achieve (or avoid) a pregnancy.
Do women always ovulate on day 14 of their menstrual cycle?
This belief is the basis of many errors.
The day of ovulation varies from woman to woman and in the same woman it can vary from one menstrual cycle to another.
However, when a woman has ovulated, the period between ovulation and the next menstrual period (luteal phase) is between 11 and 16 days long. Most women have a fairly constant luteal phase length ranging from this interval (which varies by one or two days between one menstrual cycle and the next).
Therefore, if there is variability in the length of a menstrual cycle (understood as the days that pass between the beginning of menstruation and the one preceding the following ones) what varies is the preovulatory phase. The post-ovulatory one has a predictable length.
Can you feel ovulation when it happens?
As we have often reiterated, the most evident symptom of fertility is the increase in the sensation of wetness in the vagina and the presence of increasingly stringy and elastic cervical mucus.
Sometimes this mucus is so abundant that it can be seen going down when we go to the bathroom.
If the woman sees it, it means that ovulation is very close (1-2 days). And it is important to have intercourse at this juncture, ie when the mucus is abundant, to increase the chances of conception.
Fertile cervical mucus is one of the main signs of fertility.
Other women are lucky enough to also notice other symptoms that are very helpful in understanding the menstrual cycle well.
They are called secondary signs of fertility because they are not necessarily visible in all women or in all menstrual cycles of the same woman.
The secondary signs of ovulation are:
- spotting near ovulation
- pain near the ovaries
- increased sexual desire
- swollen labia minora and labia majora
- water retention
- abdominal swelling
- increased olfactory, visual and gustatory sensitivity
- more energy
- increased sensitivity of the breasts and skin
- softer breasts
Can a woman ovulate multiple times in one menstrual cycle?
Once a woman has ovulated she cannot release any more egg cells during the same menstrual cycle.
Ovulation occurs over a period of approximately 24 hours and at this time the donor may eventually release more egg cells (which may lead to the conception of different twins).
What is multiple ovulation?
This is the release of more egg cells (due to the bursting of more follicles) in the period of ovulation which usually lasts about 24 hours.
After this time no more egg cells can be released until the next menstrual cycle.
Multiple ovulation is responsible for the conception of heterozygous (different) twins. Homozygous (identical) twins, on the other hand, result from the division of the zygote after conception.
Multiple ovulation seems to be a fairly frequent phenomenon (in 5-10% of menstrual cycles). In the event of the conception of different twins, the pregnancy often becomes single in the very first weeks of gestation.
Can orgasm cause ovulation?
Orgasm and ovulation are two separate and unrelated events.
Ovulation occurs once per menstrual cycle and requires a hormonal mechanism that is triggered gradually.
The orgasm, fortunately, can occur at any time of the menstrual cycle and in an undefined number.
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.