When am I fertile?

As a woman, understanding your fertility is important whether you are planning to conceive or trying to prevent pregnancy. Fertility refers to the ability to have children and is influenced by many factors such as age, hormones, and health conditions.

Understanding your cycle & it's fertility window

To understand your fertility, it is important to know your menstrual cycle. It is counted from the first day of your period until the start of your next period.

The first half of the cycle, also known as the follicular phase, starts from the first day of your period and lasts for about 14 days (on average). During this time, the hormone estrogen increases and stimulates the ovaries to produce developing follicles. Usually, only one follicle will survive and continue to grow.

Around day 14 (again, on average), the follicle will release an egg during ovulation, which marks the beginning of the second half of the menstrual cycle called the luteal phase. During this time, the hormone progesterone increases and prepares the uterus for pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized by a sperm during ovulation, progesterone levels will decrease and trigger the shedding of the uterine lining, resulting in your period.

Knowing when you ovulate is important because this is the time when you are most likely to conceive. It is important to note that sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days, so it is possible to become pregnant if you have unprotected sex up to 5 days before ovulation.

When will you ovulate?

There are several ways to track ovulation, such as using an ovulation predictor kit, or by using the sympto-thermal method built into your Shekan app.

Ovulation predictor kits detect a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, which usually occurs 12-36 hours before ovulation.

The sympto-thermal method used in Shekan uses your basal body temperature (your body's temperature at rest) which increases slightly after ovulation. We also use tracking of cervical mucus changes, which involves monitoring the consistency and amount of mucus in your vagina, which changes throughout your cycle.

How does your fertility decline?

Aside from tracking ovulation, there are also other factors that can affect your fertility. Age is a major factor as fertility declines as women get older due to a decrease in the number and quality of eggs. Certain health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis can also impact fertility. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and being overweight or underweight can also affect fertility.

The sympto-thermal method on Shekan

How long you are fertile

About infertility

Understanding your menstrual cycle and tracking ovulation is key to understanding your fertility as a woman. Knowing when you are most likely to conceive can help you plan for pregnancy or prevent it. Additionally, considering other factors that may affect your fertility can also help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.