What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the release of an egg from ovaries.

The highest possibility for a woman to become pregnant are the few days before and after ovulation.

The female body makes a substance called Luteinizing Hormone (LH) that triggers the release of the egg. During most of your menstrual cycle, your body manufactures small amounts of LH. But around the middle of your cycle, your body suddenly increases the amount of the LH for a few days. This sudden increase is called the “LH surge”, and it usually causes the female body to ovulate.

Ovulation usually take place within 40 hours after the LH surge begins. You may not have an LH surge or might not ovulate every menstrual cycle. Even if your menstrual bleeding begins on time, that does not necessarily mean that your body has ovulated.

After ovulation, the amount of LH in your body will return to normal level within 2 days. Unless pregnancy occurs, the cycle of increase and decrease of LH will repeat again after your menstrual period ends.