Your cycle explained by a fertility expert

Doctor Inaki Gonzalez- Foruria is an expert in fertility treatments and has helped thousands of women around the world fulfill their dream of becoming mothers. 

If you are reading these lines, you probably know that getting pregnant is not that easy. To increase your chances of success, it is important to know your body and your cycle so you know when you are ovulating, a key moment for getting pregnant.

How long does a cycle last?

Day 1 of the menstrual cycle is calculated from the first day of your period and starts again when your next period begins. A typical cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days, and its pattern can vary with age. No two bodies are the same, which is why it is important to know your natural rhythms to maximize your chances of conceiving.

What is ovulation?

Ovulation occurs once in each fertile cycle. It happens when a mature egg is released from one of your ovaries and begins its journey through the corresponding fallopian tube to your uterus. Your chances of getting pregnant are highest when live sperm are present in the tubes. That is the place and moment with the greatest probability of your egg being fertilized, starting to develop as an embryo, implanting in your uterine wall, and developing into a baby.

How do I know when I am going to ovulate?

Many women do not know that ovulation usually starts in the middle of your cycle (Generally around day 14 in the typical 28-day cycle). But every body is different, so in case of difficulty, it is advisable to start tracking your cycle and be alert to some revealing signs: There are many ways to identify when you are ovulating or when you are in the "fertile window" of your cycle:

• With a menstrual calendar or an app to record your natural rhythm.
• With an over-the-counter ovulation kit that analyzes your urine to detect the increase in hormones that occurs before ovulation.
• You can also use a special thermometer to check your basal temperature every morning: You are more fertile when your resting temperature decreases slightly and then rises again 2 or 3 days before ovulating.

Your body will also give you physical signals:

• Your cervical mucus becomes clearer and more liquid.
• Many women experience sensitivity, cramping, and swelling in the breasts.

What is LH?

The female body is wonderfully complex and comes with a complex cocktail of hormones that increase or decrease at different times during the menstrual cycle. This helps your body prepare for pregnancy. One of the key hormones is Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which is present during natural ovulation. 

The presence of LH in your body may indicate that it is the right time to have sexual intercourse when you want to have a baby.

LH is also a key indicator that we use in Assisted Reproductive Technology clinics to know precisely the optimal time to retrieve mature eggs for use in traditional In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. In these treatments, we usually use medications that stimulate the production and maturation of multiple eggs, which increases their number. The decision to administer these medications, their type, and the dosage used are the factors that differentiate conventional IVF from natural IVF or mild stimulation treatments. 

The new generation of treatments is based on less aggressive hormonal stimulation that allows for high success rates in a safer manner for the mother and her baby.

Now that you know the best time to conceive, stay alert to your body's revealing signals and get ready for romance!

For more information IVF In Vitro Fertilization, please consult the treatment section.