For those trying to conceive, knowing how to calculate the fertile period is important for achieving this dream, but it is also possible to get pregnant outside the fertile window. It is worth clarifying that what can happen for a woman to become pregnant outside her routine or plan does not exactly mean getting pregnant outside the fertile period. Since being fertile is a condition required for pregnancy to occur. What can happen are uncontrollable events that may even affect the functioning and regularity of the female body. Likewise, it could be a case of sperm survival within the body close to the ovulation period.

Many women share the experience of pregnancy following intercourse outside the probable fertile period—so how can that happen? There are two explanations for this:

Ovulation from an Adrenaline Surge

Some women may ovulate more than once during a single cycle, and this is possible due to an adrenaline surge that can trigger additional ovulation. This helps explain why some women report having a certain ease getting pregnant: even sex itself can stimulate ovulation, which increases the chances of pregnancy.

If you are trying to conceive and want a more detailed tracking of your cycle and ovulation, a great way to get extra help is to use a cycle tracking mobile APP in addition to ovulation tests, which can indicate whether ovulation is approaching, occurring, or has already ended, letting you know the right time to have intercourse and increase your chances of a positive result more quickly.

Sperm Survival and Lifespan

The survival time of sperm inside the female body varies from 3 to 5 days, so what does this mean? If a woman has intercourse up to 5 days before ovulation, she can still get pregnant. There are rare cases reported in science where sperm have survived up to 15 days. This longevity of sperm inside the female body makes it possible to get pregnant outside the fertile period. Some lubricating gels may help increase the survival of sperm.

What You Need to Know About Ovulation

According to the research Ovulation conducted by the University of São Paulo, the broad concept of ovulation encompasses follicular growth, formation of the stigma, follicular rupture, ovum release, and formation of a functional corpus luteum. But follicular maturation and the depletion of the ovarian follicular reserve depend on even more complex factors. And these complexities are linked to the individuality of the female body.

In a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, for example, ovulation likely occurs between the 11th and 15th day after the start of the cycle. Many women have difficulty understanding their own bodies, so using a fertile period calculator for a closer estimate may help, even for women with irregular cycles, since the tool can give an estimated fertile period date based on the first day of menstruation1.

Early Ovulation

 Ovulation can occur earlier for some women and happens when a mature egg is released 8 or 10 days after the start of the menstrual cycle. This phenomenon can be linked to factors such as:

  • Stress
  • Diet
  • Alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Presence of a chronic disease
  • Lifestyle changes

To identify ovulation, even outside the normal timeframe, it is important for women to pay attention to some symptoms such as:

Changes in cervical mucus or fluid – The mucus produced by the cervix has a consistency similar to egg white, which is a sign that ovulation is underway2. The cervical fluid/mucus can vary between women and, generally, when it is more “thin,” it signals greater fertility.

Changes in Basal Body Temperature

Another key sign is a slight drop in body temperature before ovulation, and after ovulation occurs, a sharp rise in temperature.  Paying attention to this can help pinpoint the exact fertile window3.

 Change in cervical position – This is another symptom of the fertile period to watch for. When a woman is ovulating, the cervix will feel softer, higher, more open, and moist. Most women take some time to notice the changes that occur during ovulation.

Other signals

Increased libido and pain on one side of the abdomen lasting a few hours can be signs of the fertile period. Two or more of these symptoms may indicate ovulation is happening. If any abnormal sign occurs, it is essential to inform your trusted physician for proper evaluation and treatment.

IMPORTANT: For women who wish to become pregnant, this can be another chance or another hope to achieve the dream of motherhood. The ideal first step is to ensure you are healthy, and next it is essential to dedicate time to understanding your own body and its functioning.

Remember that sharing experiences with other women trying to conceive is essential, but each case is clinically individual, so it’s important to be guided by what you know about your own health and your ongoing treatment.

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