Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle
Your menstrual cycle is more than just your period. It’s a monthly rhythm driven by hormones (driven by the moon!) that prepare your body for pregnancy. Knowing how it works can help you understand when you’re most fertile.
The cycle has four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. Each phase plays a role in fertility. Let’s break it down.
Phase 1: Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5)
This phase begins when your period starts. The uterine lining sheds because pregnancy didn’t happen. Estrogen and progesterone levels are low. Energy levels might dip, and cramping is common.
Fertility is at its lowest during this time, but your body is already preparing for the next phase.
Phase 2: Follicular Phase (Days 1–13)
Overlapping with menstruation, this phase continues after your period ends. The pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), signaling the ovaries to develop eggs.
Estrogen rises, thickening the uterine lining to support a potential pregnancy. You may feel more energetic, social, and confident as your body prepares for ovulation.
Phase 3: Ovulation (Around Day 14)
This is the star of the show! A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation, releasing a mature egg. The egg travels through the fallopian tube, ready for fertilization.
This is your most fertile time. If you’re trying to conceive, this is the best window to have intercourse—one to two days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself.
Some women notice signs like a rise in basal body temperature, increased cervical mucus (clear and stretchy like egg whites), or mild pelvic pain.
Phase 4: Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)
After ovulation, progesterone rises to support a possible pregnancy. If the egg isn’t fertilized, hormone levels drop, signaling the body to start a new cycle.
During this phase, some women experience PMS symptoms like bloating, mood swings, or fatigue. If conception occurs, the body starts producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone.
How to Track Your Fertile Window
Knowing when you ovulate is key to increasing your chances of pregnancy. Here are some ways to track it:
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Take your temperature each morning before getting out of bed. A small rise signals ovulation.
- Cervical Mucus Changes: Fertile mucus is clear, stretchy, and slippery—like raw egg whites.
- Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These test LH levels in urine to predict ovulation.
- Menstrual Tracking Apps: Digital tools help monitor cycle patterns over time.
If your cycle is longer, such as 40 days, ovulation usually happens around day 26 instead of day 14. You can estimate it by subtracting 14 days from your total cycle length, as the luteal phase typically remains constant. Tracking signs like BBT, cervical mucus, and using OPKs can help pinpoint ovulation more accurately.
Best Time to Conceive
Sperm can live up to five days inside the female reproductive tract. This means having intercourse before ovulation increases your chances. The optimal time to try is:
- 3–5 days leading up to ovulation
- The day of ovulation
- Possibly the day after
Timing sex during this window gives sperm the best chance to meet the egg. Depending on sperm numbers, the frequency of having intercourse can vary from every 24 hours to every 48 hours. Having a fertility specialist recommend timing can be helpful.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your menstrual cycle empowers you to take control of your fertility. Whether you’re trying to conceive or just want to know your body better, tracking your cycle can give you clarity and confidence.
If you’re unsure about your cycle or experiencing irregularities, consider speaking with a healthcare professional for guidance.
Your body has its own rhythm—learning to work with it can make all the difference! If you or someone you know has not had luck with traditional methods, at Wellness Architecture we have fertility programs that range from pre-conception prep to post IVF help. We have successfully helped women in all of these stages get pregnant who have healthy babies.