What's Ovulation? And Why Is It Important To Be Tracked

Ovulation is extremely critical when it comes to pregnancy be it trying to get pregnant or avoiding it. Knowing your ovulation helps in keeping your reproductive health in check. A woman who is well aware of her cycle often notices regular changes in the vaginal discharge and moods. But the ones who don't know about it often get taken aback by the changes throughout the month.

SheThePeople’s got Dr. Sudeshna Ray to talk about what is the best time to get pregnant. Dr. Ray is a professional obstetrician ad gynaecologist, so ladies take these very useful tips seriously. Here are key facts about ovulation -

Ovulation

• It marks the release of an egg from the ovaries into the Fallopian Tube as a part of the biological process of reproduction.
• The finger-like structures of the fallopian tube suck the egg into it. Here the egg waits for the sperms and the merging of the egg and the sperm is called fertilisation. Further, Dr.Ray explains that day 11 to day 15 of a regular period cycle becomes the best time for intercourse in order to get pregnant.
• Ovulation can be tracked using several methods like studying the vaginal discharge, and Ovulation Kits, etc.
• At the time of ovulation, the breasts become tender, fuller, and painful at times.
• Watery, stretchy mucus discharge is observed in women during this time indicating the highest fertility of a woman's cycle.
• Ovulation kits similar to pregnancy tests check the urine sample.
• They assess the hormone called LH (Luteinising Hormone) which is supposed to peak 36 hours before ovulation says Dr. Ray.
• The kit depicts a single line on absence of the peak of the hormone and a double line on finding the presence of the peak of LH.
• "Couples (trying to get pregnant) can plan their intercourse on the same day as the two lines happen or 1-2 days after that, " &feature=youtu.be">says Dr. Sudeshna Ray.
• Further, couples not trying to conceive can avoid this window of fertility for unprotected sex or use relevant protection.

Hence, ovulation even though is the most ignored topic of sexual health of a woman becomes vital in planning a pregnancy.

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Trying to get pregnant or avoid it completely? Ovulation is something that is the key to the reproductive health of a woman.

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