Egg jump or ovulation

Egg jump or ovulation

During ovulation, also called ovulation, a mature egg is released from the ovary . She then travels through one of the fallopian tubes to the womb. The journey takes around 72 hours. In the first 24 hours she can be fertilized by a sperm. On average, a woman has an ovulation 450 times between her puberty and menopause.

How many ova does a woman have?

Egg cells are made in the ovaries before birth. You are born with approximately 1 million ova. From then on, around 10,000 eggs die every year. Around puberty, around 400,000 remain. No new eggs are created during your life. On average, a woman has an ovulation 450 times between her puberty and  menopause (link is external) .

When does ovulation take place?

You have ovulation once a month, 12 to 16 days before you start menstruating again. If you have a very regular cycle, you know when your next menstrual period will start and you can roughly calculate when your ovulation will take place. But there are few women with a cycle that lasts exactly the same time every time. Usually the length of the ovulation period varies. Your cycle lasts for example 28 days, the next month 25 days and then another 30 days.

The more irregular your cycle is, the harder it is to predict the moment of ovulation. You can then use an ovulation test or app to predict when you are most fertile. Please note: this is not a reliable method of contraception.

Do you always have ovulation?

No, it is quite possible that in some cycles there is no ovulation. Women who regularly miss ovulation will also have an irregular menstrual cycle. In a cycle without ovulation you cannot get pregnant, we speak of reduced fertility .

The lack of ovulation can have various causes: cysts on the ovaries, thyroid disorders, underweight or overweight ... In about 10% of cases, the cause is unknown. If you think you have no ovulation based on your menstrual pattern, contact your doctor.

How many days before and after ovulation are you fertile?

The mature egg can be fertilized by a sperm for 24 hours after ovulation. But if you want to prevent a pregnancy, it is not enough not to have sex on the day of ovulation or to use contraception only. Because sperm cells can survive in your body for up to 5 days. An egg can therefore be fertilized perfectly by a sperm that was released 5 days earlier during a sex.

You can therefore become pregnant 5 days before and 24 hours after ovulation. The chance of fertilization is greatest in the 3 days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself.

What symptoms are associated with ovulation?

The term ovulation is a bit misleading. It is not just a moment, but a process. Most women don't notice ovulation, but others still have some trouble or pain.

During ovulation, your body will let you know that it is fertile:

You have more mucous loss. That mucus looks a bit slippery, a bit like raw protein. It is stretchable and elastic.

Your body temperature rises and is higher than average.

The cervix is ??slightly higher in the sheath, making it harder to feel.

The cervix opens slightly and becomes softer.