16/04/2025
THE FERTILE WINDOW
The fertile window is the only time in a woman’s cycle when fertilization can happen, leading to pregnancy.
Yet, many women are unaware of this or struggle to recognize the signs.
WHAT IS THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE?
The menstrual cycle is a finely tuned hormonal process that was designed to prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy.
A typical cycle lasts for 28 days, however anything between 21 and 35 days is considered normal.
The cycle is divided into 4 phases, each of them with varying hormonal changes.
PHASES OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
1. Menstrual phase (Day 1-5)
This phase begins on the first day of bleeding and can last as short as 3 days or as long as 7 days.
It occurs when pregnancy has not taken place, and the lining of the uterus is shed through the va**na.
In this phase, hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone are extremely low.
Common symptoms include:
- Cramping
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Mood swings
- Bleeding.
2. FOLLICULAR PHASE (Day 1-13)
The follicular phase overlaps with the menstrual phase, but continues without it.
It is the period where the follicles are stimulated by the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and one becomes dominant enough to mature an egg.
Here, estrogen levels rise for a bit to thicken the uterus for possible pregnancy.
3. OVULATION (14th day of your cycle)
Ovulation occurs around day 14 of your cycle, and it is triggered by a sharp rise in leuteinizing hormone.
Here, the mature egg is released into the fallopian tube to wait for the s***m.
This is the most fertile time in the cycle, and it lasts for 12-24 hours.
Signs of ovulation include:
- Clear, and stretchy cervical mucus
- Mild stomach pain or twinge
- Increased s*x drive
- Slight rise in basal body temperature (after ovulation).
LUTEAL PHASE (Day 15-28)
This is the last phase of the cycle.
Here, the ruptured follicle forms the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.
Progesterone is the female hormone responsible for maintaining pregnancy.
If fertilization does not occur:
- The corpus luteum breaks down
- Hormone levels plummet
- The cycle starts all over again, with menstruation.
WHAT IS THE FERTILE WINDOW?
The fertile window is simply the six-day period in a woman’s cycle when she’s most likely to become pregnant.
It includes:
- 5 days leading to the ovulation
- The day of the ovulation
Why is this?
The egg only survives for 12 - 24 hours, however s***m can live in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days.
This enables them lie in wait for the egg, and for fertilization to occur.
HOW DO YOU TRACK YOUR FERTILE WINDOW?
Your fertile window is 5 days leading to ovulation, and your ovulation day.
Ovulation usually occurs mid-cycle and if you have a 28 days cycle, it occurs on the 14th.
However, if your cycle is longer, subtract 14 from the length of days. Whatever number you get is your ovulation date.
For example: 32-14 =18. Your ovulation would be on the 18th if you have a 32-day cycle.
Other ways include:
- Cervical mucus monitoring: Look for stretchy and egg white consistency mucus
- Basal body temperature: Slight increase in temperature after ovulation
- Ovulation prediction kits: Detects the surge of leuteinizing hormone before ovulation.
- Cycle tracking apps: Helps you predict fertile days based on past cycle.
