Ovulation: the 24-hour window
Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary, usually around day 14 in a 28-day cycle (technically 14 days before the NEXT period, so it varies). The egg is viable for about 24 hours. Sperm live up to 5 days. The fertile window is roughly the 5 days before ovulation plus the day of.
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Cervical mucus turns clear, stretchy, and slippery (like raw egg white). Libido often spikes. Some women feel a brief sharp pain on one side (mittelschmerz). Basal body temperature rises about 0.5 F after ovulation and stays up for 2 weeks.
Tracking methods
Apps based on cycle length are estimates only - actual ovulation varies. OPK (ovulation predictor kits) detect LH surge 12 to 36 hours before egg release. Cervical mucus tracking is free and accurate with practice.
When ovulation feels off
Severe one-sided pain that lasts more than a day is not normal mittelschmerz - that could be an ovarian cyst rupture or torsion. Get checked.
Common questions
Can you ovulate without a period? +
Rarely, but yes. Anovulatory cycles can have bleeding without ovulation. Sustained absence of ovulation deserves a workup.
When can you get pregnant in your cycle? +
Sperm survives up to 5 days. The egg lives 24 hours. So the fertile window is roughly 6 days: 5 before ovulation plus day of.
Related reading
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