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The length of a woman's
menstrual cycle (the length of time between periods) can
vary from between 24 to 35 days but, on average, it lasts 28
days. Ovulation (when an egg is released from your ovaries
into your fallopian tube) occurs approximately half way
through your menstrual cycle - roughly 14 days before the
start of your next period.
The days around ovulation (between 10 to 16 days before
your next period) are when you are at your most fertile. So,
if you are trying to conceive (get pregnant), this is the
best time of the month to have unprotected sex with your
partner.
During the middle of your menstrual cycle, the female
hormone called oestrogen, produces another hormone called
luteinising hormone (LH). The increased level of LH causes a
follicle (a small, fluid-filled sac in your ovary) to
release an egg. Within 24 hours of the egg being released,
it is ready to be fertilised by a man's sperm.
After ejaculation, sperm can live for at least 48 hours,
and up to seven days inside your vagina or womb after sex.
This means that it is possible for you to become pregnant if
you have unprotected sex two days before, or a couple of
days after, ovulation - that is, between day 10 and 16 of
your menstrual cycle. The least likely time that you will
conceive is between days 1 and 7 of your menstrual cycle.
When ovulating, some women experience signs such as
breast tenderness, abdominal pain, slight vaginal bleeding,
or a slight temperature increase. An increased, more watery
vaginal discharge is also common.
You can buy special ovulation prediction kits, which test
your temperature or hormone levels to find out when you are
at your most fertile. |
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