Educational content, not medical advice. Clinical review of this page is in progress.
Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovary, and it’s the single most important event in your cycle if you’re trying to conceive (or trying to avoid it).
What Happens During Ovulation
Roughly midway through a typical cycle, a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the ovary to release a mature egg, which then travels into the fallopian tube where it can be fertilized for about 12–24 hours.
Explore the Ovulation Cluster
- Menstrual cycle phases explained
- Signs of ovulation
- How to track ovulation
- Ovulation with irregular cycles
- Common ovulation myths
- Factors that affect ovulation
- Ovulation calculator vs. fertility tracker
- Pregnancy chances after ovulation
Use the Ovulation Calculator
Ready to find your fertile window? Try the ovulation calculator.
Why Ovulation Timing Matters
An egg survives only about 12 to 24 hours after release, while sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to five days. That is why the fertile window covers roughly the five days before ovulation plus ovulation day itself, and why the days just before ovulation are usually the most fertile. See pregnancy chances day by day.
How to Know When You Are Ovulating
Common signs include stretchy, egg-white cervical mucus, a slight rise in basal body temperature after ovulation, and mild one-sided pelvic pain in some people. Read the signs of ovulation and four ways to track ovulation. If your cycles vary, our guide to tracking with irregular cycles helps.
How Long Is a Typical Cycle
Cycle length varies from person to person, and ovulation does not always fall on day 14. Understanding the four phases of the menstrual cycle makes predictions more accurate.
When to Talk to a Provider
Consider seeking advice if you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (or 6 months if you are 35 or older), or sooner if your periods are very irregular or absent. See ACOG: Evaluating Infertility.
Related Reading
- Ovulation Tests vs. Fertility Trackers — which method suits you
- Pregnancy Chances After Ovulation — how odds change day by day
- Irregular Cycles — tracking ovulation when cycles vary
- Menstrual Cycle Phases — what happens in each stage
Also see our calculator FAQs, pregnancy FAQs and pregnancy terms glossary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you ovulate in your cycle?
Ovulation usually happens about 12 to 16 days before your next period. In a 28-day cycle that is around day 14, but the timing varies with cycle length.
How long does the fertile window last?
About six days: the five days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation. The egg survives only 12 to 24 hours, but sperm can live up to five days.
Can you ovulate more than once in a cycle?
Ovulation normally happens once per cycle. Occasionally two eggs are released within the same 24 hours, which is how fraternal twins can happen.
Related Resources
- Ovulation Calculator
- 8 Common Ovulation Myths, Debunked
- Factors That Affect Ovulation
- Ovulation Calculator vs. Fertility Tracker: What’s the Difference?
- The Complete Fertility Guide
Sources and Further Reading
This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your OB-GYN or midwife about your own pregnancy.