How Long Does Ovulation Last?

Among women, especially those trying to conceive, it is very common to talk about the fertile window or ovulation, to figure out the best days to get pregnant. But what exactly are those days, and how long does ovulation last? Ovulation is a natural process that occurs during a woman’s menstrual cycle and happens when one of the ovaries releases a mature egg that will join and work together with the corpus luteum also produced by the ovary. Together, they prepare the uterus to receive a possible baby.

The released egg is received by the fallopian tubes that connect to the uterus. Fertilization occurs when, while the egg is in the fallopian tubes, a sperm cell comes to meet it and fertilization of the egg takes place. It is not possible to know the exact days of ovulation, but the fertile period usually lasts an average of 8 days. Normally, ovulation¹ occurs about 14 days before menstruation, which is, of course, for a woman with a regulated cycle. However, not all women are lucky enough to have a 28-day regular cycle with fertile days at the same time each cycle—in fact, this is increasingly becoming the exception rather than the rule².

Are There Symptoms That Show How Long Ovulation Lasts?

During ovulation, some women experience discomfort similar to menstrual cramps, which happens due to the movement of the egg leaving the ovary. Another very common symptom among women is the appearance of a clear, odorless discharge or secretion that looks a lot like egg white.

During ovulation, it is normal for women to feel discomfort similar to cramps. In this period when ovulation pain occurs, a noticeable increase in women’s sexual desire and a considerable boost in their self-care can also be observed.

As long as these symptoms are present, it is a sign that the fertile window is still ongoing and ovulation is about to happen. After ovulation and until menstruation, it is natural for women to feel irritability, sensitivity, and increased appetite, due to the rise in progesterone that occurs once the eggs have matured. These symptoms are also known as PMS—Premenstrual Syndrome.

Another popular method among women trying to conceive to detect the ovulation window is measuring basal temperature. After ovulation, a woman’s temperature tends to rise due to the increased progesterone and should be measured as soon as she wakes up, preferably before getting out of bed. But the most reliable method is the pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound exam, which can check the production of follicles in the ovaries as they develop and rupture. However, the definitive indication of the most fertile day is the ovulation tests. These will accurately predict the 24-hour window in which the follicle will be available in the tube. Two lines of equal intensity indicate that ovulation will occur within 24 to 48 hours. You can buy your ovulation test here in our online store.

What is Hyperovulation?

Hyperovulation can occur at two stages in life: during adolescence or later after a woman turns 40, and it can also be passed down genetically from parents to children. Normally, excessive ovulation is what leads to twin pregnancies. Some treatments that induce ovulation³ can also cause hyperovulation, which is not always healthy, as producing several eggs in the ovary can lead to serious problems like thrombosis and ascites.

See also: Ovulation Symptoms and Their Signs