The ovulation period typically occurs about midway through the menstrual cycle. For a woman with a typical 26 to 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation usually happens around days 12 to 14 of the cycle. More generally, ovulation can occur between days 11 and 21 depending on the length of the cycle. Key points about ovulation period:
- Ovulation is when an ovary releases a mature egg.
- The egg is viable for about 12 to 24 hours after release.
- The fertile window includes the few days before ovulation and the day of ovulation, due to sperm being able to survive in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days.
- Most fertile days tend to be the 3 days leading up to and including ovulation.
- Ovulation usually occurs about 14 days before the next period starts.
Because menstrual cycle lengths vary (typically between 21 and 35 days), ovulation timing varies as well, but usually falls between days 11 and 21 of the cycle. Tracking signs of ovulation or using ovulation predictor kits can help pinpoint the exact days for an individual. In summary, if you have a regular 28-day cycle, expect ovulation around day 14. If your cycle length is different, ovulation occurs roughly 14 days before the start of your next period, with the fertile window spanning a few days before that.
