Fertility Window – What It Is and How to Determine the Best Time for Conception

Every month, a woman has a relatively short timeframe during which she can conceive. This is known as the fertility window, and it is important to be aware of it not only for those who want to become mothers soon, but also for those who are not yet planning a pregnancy. Experts claim that a woman is capable of conceiving only six days within her entire menstrual cycle. The fertility window ‘opens’ in a woman’s body on the day of ovulation or five days directly before it begins – this is the time when a woman can become pregnant. 

Predicting the date of the fertile window and ovulation can be challenging if the cycle is irregular, but consistent signals sent by a woman’s body can help identify the period when she is able to conceive. The number of days that can result in pregnancy if intercourse occurs is six for every woman, regardless of the cycle length.

Fertility – what it is

To explain what the fertility window is, it is first worth understanding what the term “fertility” means. It is of Latin origin. Translated 

“fertilis” means “fruitful, fertile.” This is why this concept is used to define the body’s reproductive capacity. In relation to a woman, it refers to her ability to conceive, carry, and give birth to a child.

At birth, a woman’s body contains several million eggs, formed during fetal development. Their number decreases to 400,000 by adolescence and cannot be renewed, unlike sperm in men. After the onset of puberty and the start of menstruation

the eggs mature, and ovulation occurs once a month. Female fertility is directly linked to ovulations, which occur with the establishment of a regular menstrual cycle and end during the climacteric period.

Fertility and its Characteristics

Fertility in women varies in duration, as the start and end of menstruation have quite broad time frames for different women. Thus, there are different numbers of fertility windows during this period. For such windows to exist, a woman must be of fertile age, which is determined by the presence of menstruation in a particular woman. 

However, they are not the only determinants of whether a woman is fertile. Among other criteria, the ability to conceive is determined by the ability to:

• ovulate, the maturation of an egg cell, without which fertilization is impossible;

• carry a pregnancy – depends on the hormonal balance of the woman’s body;
• give birth independently.

Fertility windows exist in the early, middle, as well as the late and declining stages, during each of which a woman has varying abilities to effortlessly manage all three tasks.

Fertility Levels

It is widely known that fertility consists of three components – the ability to conceive a child, carry to term, and give birth. Based on this, a woman’s reproductive level is categorized into three levels – high, normal, and low. A high level is recognized when there is the ability to conceive and bear children several times consecutively with minimal intervals. Pregnancy may occur, for instance, during menstruation or the breastfeeding period.

A normal level of fertility is indicated by a situation where a woman’s cycle is stable, she becomes pregnant without medical assistance, carries the fetus without hormonal stimulation, and gives birth on her own. It is considered low when, of the three components of the process, a woman is able to accomplish only two. For example, she can conceive, but is unable to give birth on her own. 

Fertility Window and Ovulation – What’s the Difference

As it has already become clear, fertility is the ability of a woman to conceive and give birth to a baby, a sign of the health of her hormonal and reproductive systems. Their proper functioning is the key to pregnancy, otherwise, there is a risk of infertility or miscarriage. The basis of good fertility is the occurrence of ovulation. Since it is at this moment that the egg is released, ready for fertilization, without ovulation, the fertility window does not open, and there are no prerequisites for conceiving a baby. 

However, ovulation cannot occur if there is no balance of sex hormones and overall women’s health is not in order. Even if ovulation does occur, it doesn’t mean that the fertility window is open and that a woman will conceive. This is why you cannot equate fertility with ovulation. Its presence does not guarantee conception at 100%, as the entire reproductive system must function correctly for this.

When Conception is Possible

The period during which conception is possible is determined by the release of the egg from the ovary. This typically occurs 2 weeks before the start of menstruation. The lifespan of an egg, which one of the ovaries releases into the fallopian tube, is approximately 24 hours, while sperm can survive for an average of 5 days after ejaculation. 

Therefore, within the fertility window, a woman retains the ability to conceive not only on the day of ovulation but also for 5 days after intercourse, as surviving sperm can fertilize during this time. If a couple plans to have a child, and want the pregnancy to occur as quickly as possible, they should take advantage of the fertility window in the woman’s calendar, because an ovulatory day significantly increases the likelihood of conception.

When the Fertility Window May Open

The approximate time of ovulation is considered to be the middle of the menstrual cycle. This means that if there is a precise interval between menstrual periods, calculating this time will be straightforward. However, even for the same woman, the time when the fertility window opens can significantly vary depending on changes in the interval between the start of the menstrual days. 

block not found

Ideally, if a woman’s menstrual period always lasts 28 days, ovulation should occur on the 14th day from the start of the previous menstruation. However, in reality, the influence of any external factors, such as malnutrition or stress, can significantly affect the timing of ovulation. Therefore, when determining its occurrence, it’s worth paying attention to the symptoms of the fertility window.

Signs of Ovulation

The release of the egg from the ovary and the subsequent opening of the fertility window is usually accompanied by characteristic manifestations:

• increased sweating under the arms;
• a cramp or pulling pain on one side of the abdomen;
• increased sexual desire;
• a drop followed by a sharp increase in basal temperature;
• good mood and a surge of energy;
• breast swelling and increased sensitivity.

Changes in the nature of vaginal mucus are also a clear sign of ovulation and the opening of the fertility window. 

Discharge becomes visually similar to egg whites, transparent, sticky, but more sparse. Sometimes, there may be slight bloody discharge. If there is a lot of such discharge, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately – such a symptom may indicate the presence of diseases.

How to Determine the Fertile Phase – Methods

There are very few women with regular cycles who have no problem identifying their fertile window. For most, making an accurate prediction of ovulation is much more difficult. Specialists offer different methods for this. 

Among the most popular and effective are:

• Basal temperature measurement – when an egg is released from the ovary, the basal temperature rises by 0.5°C. You can detect such slight fluctuations by measuring the temperature rectally every day immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed;
• Calendar method – it requires maintaining a women’s calendar to establish the average length of the menstrual cycle and calculate the luteal phase, which usually lasts 2 weeks. The female body is most fertile from the 13th to the 18th day before the start of the menstrual period. Thus, with a 29-day cycle, the fertility window opens from the 11th to the 17th day.

Cervical Two-Day and Symptothermal Methods

The cervical method is based on the discharge of mucus by the female organs and changes in its consistency throughout the cycle. Its nature is a precursor to the onset of ovulation. A few days after the end of menstruation, cervical mucus becomes cloudy and thick. But before ovulation occurs, it becomes elastic, watery, and clear, and more of it is secreted. Those using this method to determine the fertility window should refrain from using intimate hygiene sprays and creams, as well as douching.

The comprehensive or symptothermal method combines several ways to determine the fertility window — the calendar method, basal temperature measurement, and cervical mucus evaluation. Therefore, the information it provides is the most reliable and accurate.

When the basal temperature rises and the mucus becomes elastic, watery, and clear, these are true signs of ovulation and the fertility window. 

Factors Affecting Fertility

Good fertility depends on many factors. The complex mechanism known as the “reproductive system” can fail under various circumstances, making it difficult to conceive a child.

The factors that determine the quality of fertility and make it possible to open the fertility window include:

• healthy reproductive organs—absence of cysts, inflammatory processes, tumors;
• patency of fallopian tubes, without which fertilization is impossible;
• hormonal balance and a regular menstrual cycle, indicating the female body’s readiness to conceive a baby;
• a healthy uterus where the fetus will develop.

The overall state of health is also important, as any disease can disrupt fertility. Metabolic disorders, anovulation, thyroid dysfunction, hyperplasia, and hypoplasia of the endometrium, and endometriosis are particularly critical in this case.

How to conceive a child during the fertile period

In addition to all the described methods, an ovulation test and ultrasound can help determine the fertility window. Once the most suitable time for conception is identified, you can proceed with the plan.

But to achieve the desired result, in addition to regular sexual activity and increasing its intensity during the fertility window, you need to adhere to certain rules:

• Reduce physical activity if it was excessive;
• Give up bad habits – quit smoking, avoid alcohol;
• Limit the amount of coffee consumed;
• remove the “anxiety dominator” and activate the “motherhood dominator”;
• change the diet;
• eat fully and regularly.

Couples who have decided to become parents will find invaluable help in a comprehensive approach that includes correctly identifying the fertility window and following the woman’s behavior rules during this period.