Almost all women have asked themselves the question of whether it is possible to get pregnant during menstruation. But in order to give an affirmative or negative answer to it, you need to understand how the menstrual cycle, what is ovulation and why (according to doctors) during the “critical days” it is better to refuse intimacy.

Is it possible to get pregnant during menstruation?

Most women believe that during menstruation the probability of conception is zero. This is why most couples neglect contraceptive methods during this period.

Translated from Latin, “menstruus” means “monthly.” That is, once a month a girl (woman) starts bleeding. Using the calendar, you can calculate whether there is a chance of getting pregnant during menstruation.

This restructuring of the body has a certain cyclical nature. Therefore, representatives of the fairer sex keep an individual calendar, which allows you to calculate the general cycle. Its duration ranges from 21 to 35 days, and bleeding lasts from 3 to 10 days.

The entire period of menstruation in the female body is controlled by hormones, namely:

• gonadotropin (produced by the hypothalamus);
• follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones (for their
• the pituitary gland is responsible for vital activity);
• progesterone;
• estrogen.

The cycle is divided into 3 phases:

• follicular,
• ovulatory,
• secretory (luteal),

If for a long time the menstrual cycle proceeded like clockwork, then it is worth changing the climate zone or experiencing nervous shock how the crashes begin. In this case, ovulation may occur earlier or delayed, since the body of each girl (or woman) is individual. Due to such failures, calculations may be incorrect.

In addition, sperm do not lose their fertilizing properties for a week, even when in female body. If intimacy took place in menstrual period, then the likelihood of becoming parents is very high.

Leading gynecologists claim that eating food with high content estrogen (legumes, apricots, coffee and even beer) can trigger early ovulation.

What is ovulation and when does it happen?

If translated literally from Latin language: ovulation is nothing more than an “egg”.

In gynecology, this is the name for the stage in the menstrual cycle that begins on the 14th day and lasts only from 24 to 48 hours.

This time is enough for the mature egg to be released from the burst follicle and pass through the fallopian tube into the uterus.

The entire ovulation process occurs very quickly. If on her way she meets at least 1 sperm, then such an alliance will allow the birth of a new life. Gynecologists say that you can feel the onset of the ovulation phase. During this period, pain symptoms occur in the lower abdomen.

In the classic version, the ovulation phase begins in the middle of the cycle (plus or minus 2 days). But this calculation cannot be the same for all women. There are deviations that are considered biological norm.

Such calculations are used for a well-functioning menstrual cycle. If you have irregular periods, it will be impossible to calculate ovulation using the calendar method. For such cases, you can purchase tests at the pharmacy that help basal temperature determine the hour “X”, or use ultrasound diagnostics(ultrasound).

Is it possible to get pregnant immediately after menstruation?

Do not forget that you can get pregnant in the first days after your period. And here there should be no doubt about whether it is worth protecting yourself, even though the first stage of the cycle begins in the body, during which the egg begins to enlarge and fertilization cannot occur.

Sperm can remain viable in the uterine tubes for more than 7 days, so they can wait quietly next ovulation. Doctors confirm that in practice there have been many such cases.

In doing so, they highlight the following factors that contribute to conception, if at the end of " critical days" was unprotected sex:

Unstable cycles and intrauterine diseases can become factors contributing to conception after menstruation

1. Short monthly cycle. Ovulation may occur in phase 3 bleeding, if the entire cycle lasts less than 20 days. The likelihood of becoming parents in this case is very high.
2. Copious bleeding during “critical days.” The discharge lasts more than 1 week, therefore, the release of the egg can occur immediately after the end of the monthly discharge.
3. Unstable cycle. With an unstable cycle, it is impossible to calculate ovulation. If the egg matures in the last days of the cycle, then you can get pregnant during the menstrual cycle.
4. Double ovulation. In most women, during the period under review, not 1, but 2 eggs mature. It is difficult to determine which of the three phases this will happen and which of the two eggs, and most importantly, when it will be fertilized.
5. Intrauterine diseases. Sometimes intrauterine diseases provoke bleeding. Women mistake them for menstruation and get confused in their calculations. In this case, there is also a possibility of pregnancy if the intimacy occurred after the end of the discharge.
6. Disruptions of the menstrual cycle. Change of climate zone, nervous experiences and many others external factors affect the disruption of the menstrual cycle. Hence, there is a high probability of early ovulation.

There are situations when the menstrual cycle occurs against the background of an existing pregnancy. The fertilized egg is tightly attached to the walls of the uterus, and part of its tissue is rejected.

This does not pose any threat to the developing embryo. The only negative is that the incorrect date of the false menstruation affects the calculation of the gestational age.”

Is it possible to get pregnant before your period?

The likelihood of fertilization before menstruation is minimal.

The onset of pregnancy during menstruation depends on many factors, and primarily on the health status of the woman herself.

But The risk increases if a woman has irregular menstruation. That is, breaks between discharges can vary from 1 to 1.5 months.

If, according to the calculation calendar, there are 2 to 5 days left before bleeding, there is nothing to be afraid of, the egg has already entered phase 3 and fertilization will not occur.

And if a hormonal problem arises, then discharge may begin not after 5, but after 10 days. Ovulation shifts, and the sperm can quite successfully meet the egg.

Is it possible to get pregnant on the last day of your period?

If intimacy took place on the last day of your period and there is almost no discharge, ovulation should not occur, there will be no conception... More than 70% of women think so. And a month later they receive a test with two stripes on it.

Due to the individuality of the female body, the menstrual cycle may be prolonged or last less than 28 days, and it is safe to say that the risk of fertilization in the last days of bleeding is very high.

The blood flow becomes less abundant, which means sperm have a greater chance of remaining in fallopian tubes ah, move freely and wait for the egg to be released. Do not forget that ovulation can occur twice per cycle, and then the likelihood of conception increases.

Is it possible to get pregnant a week before your period?

Is it possible to get pregnant if 7 days before your period you had unprotected intimacy, if you keep a calendar of monthly discharge and determine safe days? The probability of fertilization in these cases is very high, since no one is immune from disorders in the body.

Conception a week before bleeding occurs for the following reasons:

• Physiological cycle disorder.

Most women experience irregular periods. Any shift in general cycle entails a change in the ovulation phase. The slightest increase or decrease in the first phase of the menstrual cycle leads to a general physiological failure.

If the calculation discrepancies by only 1 day, this may result in an unplanned pregnancy.

• Refusal of hormonal contraception.

During your appointment hormonal contraceptives The menstrual cycle of women works like a well-oiled machine. But as soon as you give up medications, the ovaries begin to work 2 times more actively, and it is useless to talk about any cyclicity.

Your period may start earlier or, conversely, be delayed. During one menstrual period, several eggs can mature, since the ovaries work in a hyperactive mode. In such a situation, there is a high risk of pregnancy.

• Long-term sperm viability.

Even if your period starts in a week, you should not have sex with your partner without contraception. After sexual intercourse, sperm can live in a woman’s fallopian tubes for a long time. That is, it will not be difficult for them to wait for ovulation.

Psychologists say that strong positive emotions during sexual intercourse increases the chance of conception.

Is pregnancy possible on the first day of menstruation?

The belief that it is impossible to get pregnant on the first day of your period is wrong. According to statistics, 6% of women conceived a child during this period.

But still during the period under review, sperm activity becomes less. This is explained by the fact that a woman’s internal acidity level (PH) increases, and such an environment is negative for male semen.

Many people believe that bleeding heavily on the first day will help flush sperm out of the fallopian tubes. You should not trust such mythical reasoning. Of course, some of the sperm will leave the body, but the most viable sperm in a paralyzed state will wait until the discharge ends and fertilize with the egg.

What is the likelihood of pregnancy during menstruation?

If a woman has an irregular cycle, then the ovulation period constantly changes: in one month it fell on the 16th day, and after a certain period it was already on the 21st (or, conversely, earlier). Sometimes the release of the egg from the follicle can occur 2 days before the discharge.

Women with irregular sex life become pregnant more often during the menstrual period. Even if the “critical days” go exactly according to schedule, The ovulation cycle may change due to:

Failures in ovulation may be associated with physical activity

• sudden change in climatic conditions,
• taking hormonal medications,
• physical activity,
• emotional shock.

Safe days during menstruation when you definitely can’t get pregnant

To calculate safe days during menstruation, when a woman will definitely not become pregnant, it is necessary to keep a menstrual calendar throughout the year. The duration of the cycles must be added up, the resulting number divided by 12. The result is the average value of the days when discharge can begin, for example: after 29 or 30.

It should be taken into account that the sperm remains in the vagina for up to 10 days. A the most favorable period for pregnancy is 8 days before ovulation and 48 hours after it. You should not have intimacy for 10 days, namely: a week before the ovulation phase and 2 days after it.

This calculation is acceptable if the menstrual cycle was smooth.

First signs of pregnancy before missed period

The first signs of pregnancy will be different for each woman. On initial phase you may not even pay attention to them, and some confuse them with PMS symptoms. Let's consider initial symptoms of pregnancy:

• constant drowsiness;
• rapid fatigue;
• heaviness in the pelvic area;
• aching pain in the lumbar region;
• sudden change in body temperature;
• nausea;
• improvement or deterioration of appetite;
• increased sensitivity to odors;
• discomfort in a sitting position;
• breast enlargement;
• bloating;
• acne and swelling of the legs;
• sudden change of mood.

Morning sickness is one of the most common signs the onset of pregnancy

It is impossible to say that every woman will experience such pregnancy symptoms. But if your period is more than 10 days late, and several symptoms from the list above are present, you should take a pregnancy test.

How to check pregnancy before your period starts

Quite often on forums there is a question: is it possible to determine pregnancy before the onset of menstruation? In this case, you need to know how to diagnose yourself.

You can determine whether you were able to get pregnant using:

• Tests. This is a plastic case the size of a ballpoint pen, inside of which there is a sensitive indicator. The sensitive side must be lowered into the container with urine for 3 minutes. Full instructions can be read on the packaging.

The main thing is to purchase a test that can be performed at any time of the day. You can determine the presence of pregnancy using a test 7 days after intimacy.

Measuring basal temperature requires compliance certain rules

• Rectal measurement temperature. Basal temperature is measured using a thermometer. If it is above 37 degrees, it means ovulation has occurred and there is a possibility of pregnancy.

For greater accuracy, you should do this procedure over the course of a week. If the temperature has not changed, then the suspicion will be confirmed.

• Blood analysis. To determine pregnancy 10 days after intimacy, you can take a detailed hormonal test.

It must be done in the morning on an empty stomach.

It is best to avoid sex during menstruation, not only for reasons of unaesthetics and unhygienic conditions, but also due to possible sexual diseases

• sexual intercourse during menstruation looks unaesthetic and unhygienic;
• intimate intimacy can bring discomfort and awkwardness to a woman, complete relaxation and satisfaction will not occur;
• The process of menstruation itself causes painful sensations, sexual intercourse can make you feel worse;
• blood discharge during menstruation creates microcracks on the walls of the uterus; if a woman had sexual intercourse at this time, it can provoke
• venereal diseases.

Is it possible to get pregnant during menstruation and is it necessary to use contraception at this stage? The gynecologist’s answer will be “yes”, and “yes” again. At any stage of the cycle, there is a risk of not only getting pregnant, but even getting venereal disease. If during the period of “critical days” intimacy takes place, then it is necessary to take care of protective measures. This will protect the health of both partners.

Expert opinions on the possibility of pregnancy during menstruation:

What is the probability of conceiving immediately after menstruation:

What is ovulation? How not to miss a good moment for conception? Everything is very simple - we focus on the signs and symptoms of ovulation, use basal temperature, ovulation test and folk remedies- and pregnancy is in our pocket!

Ovulation: what is it?

Ovulation(from the Latin ovum - egg) is one of the stages of the menstrual cycle, which is the process of rupture of a mature follicle with the release of a mature egg capable of fertilization from the ovary into the abdominal cavity.

The process of ovulation is controlled by the hypothalamus by regulating (via gonadotropin-releasing hormone) the release of hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland: LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). In the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle before ovulation, the ovarian follicle grows under the influence of FSH. When the follicle reaches a certain size and functional activity, under the influence of estrogens secreted by the follicle, an ovulatory LH peak is formed, which triggers the “maturation” of the egg. After maturation, a gap is formed in the follicle through which the egg leaves the follicle - this is ovulation. There is approximately 36 to 48 hours between the ovulatory LH peak and ovulation. During the corpus luteum phase after ovulation, the egg usually moves down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If fertilization of the egg occurs during ovulation, then on days 6-12 the zygote enters the uterine cavity and the implantation process occurs. If conception does not occur, the egg dies in the fallopian tube within 12-24 hours.

Ovulation and conception

When does ovulation occur?

Average Ovulation occurs on the fourteenth day of the menstrual cycle(with a 28-day cycle). However, deviation from the average is often observed and to a certain extent is the norm. The length of the menstrual cycle in itself is not reliable source information about the day of ovulation. Although usually with a shorter cycle ovulation occurs earlier, and with a longer cycle - later.

The ovulation rhythm, which is constant for every woman, undergoes changes within 3 months after an abortion, within a year after childbirth, and also after 40 years, when the body prepares for the premenopausal period. Physiologically, ovulation stops with the onset of pregnancy and after the cessation of menstrual function.

How does ovulation and conception occur?

The female body is endowed with two ovaries, located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce hormones, the most famous of which are estrogen and progesterone.

The ovaries contain eggs even at the stage of intrauterine development of a girl. There are hundreds of thousands of eggs in a newborn's two ovaries. True, all of them are inactive until the onset of puberty and the first ovulation, that is, until about 12 years of age. During this time, a certain number of cells die, but 300,000 - 400,000 full-fledged eggs remain. From the moment of the first ovulation until the onset of menopause, a woman will experience from 300 to 400 menstrual cycles, as a result of which the same number of oocytes will mature and can become fertilized. During the menstrual cycle, one of many eggs matures in the ovaries.

Under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of the pituitary gland - endocrine gland on the lower surface of the brain, a follicle (sac) begins to grow with the egg selected for ovulation in a given cycle. The diameter of the follicle at the beginning of the cycle does not exceed 1 mm, and after 2 weeks it reaches 20 mm. As the follicle grows, a bulge forms on the surface of the ovary, which by the middle of the cycle increases to the size of a grape. Inside the follicle there is fluid and a small nucleolus with a diameter of 0.1 mm.

The period of maturation of the egg until its release from the ovary can last from 8 days to a month, although on average it lasts about 2 weeks. The main factor influencing the duration of this process is the time it takes the body to reach its estrogen threshold. High content estrogen stimulates sharp increase the content of luteostimulating hormone (LH), which causes the egg to break through the ovarian wall within one to two days after a sharp rise in its level. In the middle of the cycle, approximately 12 days after the start of menstruation, the pituitary gland releases a large number of luteinizing hormone (LH), and approximately 36 hours later ovulation occurs.

Chromosomes located in the nucleus of cells are carriers of the genetic code. The purpose of fertilization is the fusion of two sex cells (gametes) originating from individuals of different sexes. All cells of the human body contain 46 chromosomes. Therefore, two gametes must form a new cell, which also contains 46 chromosomes. A simple addition would result in 92 chromosomes, but this would lead to a biological error, the consequence of which would be the termination of the race. Consequently, each partner must halve its number of chromosomes (to 23). In the egg, a reduction in the number of chromosomes occurs after the pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone several hours before ovulation. For such a transformation, 20 - 36 hours are enough for her. Preparing itself to receive a sperm, the egg pushes half of its chromosomes to the periphery, into a small sac called the first polar body. The meeting with the sperm must occur strictly certain time. If this happens earlier, the egg will not be ready to receive the sperm, since it will not have time to divide its chromosomes; if - later, then she risks missing the period of maximum readiness for fertilization.

Next 14 days after ovulation, the second part of the cycle, take place in preparation for conception of the uterine mucosa. All preparation is in vain if conception does not occur and biological consequences will pass along with menstrual bleeding. But in one of the ovaries a new egg is already preparing for ovulation.

What happens after ovulation during conception?

The egg released from the follicle, having reduced the chromosomes, enters the fallopian tubes, which are connected to the ovary with their soft fimbriae. The fringes resemble an open flower at the end of the stem. And its living petals capture the egg as it moves. The fusion of the egg and sperm usually occurs in the fallopian tube itself.

The fallopian tube is a cylindrical muscular organ; inside it is lined with a mucous membrane covered with villi and containing glands that produce secretions. This structure facilitates the movement of the egg and (if fertilization has occurred) the embryo into the uterus.

To fertilize an egg, sperm must enter the body at approximately the same time that the egg leaves the follicle. This may seem easy to achieve, but the egg only lives for 24 hours or less after ovulation, and the sperm remains capable of fertilizing it for only a few days. Thus, sexual intercourse must happen at your most opportune time if you want to get pregnant.

Thus, ovulation period– the most successful period for conceiving a child. In this regard, it is important to be able to determine when does ovulation occur. You can do this yourself at home, for example, by measuring your basal temperature. Special devices have also been developed (for example, ClearPlan Easy Fertility Monitor), which, based on the hormone content in urine analysis, can more accurately determine the moment of ovulation: ovulation tests. More accurate determinations can be made in a clinical setting, for example, by ultrasound monitoring the growth and development of the follicle and determining the moment of its rupture.

When planning to conceive naturally, procedure in vitro fertilization And artificial insemination one of the most important points is the moment of ovulation itself.

Symptoms of ovulation:

How to determine ovulation?

Symptoms of ovulation that a woman can notice even without a doctor:

• short-term pain in the lower abdomen,
• increased sexual desire.

At gynecological examination During ovulation, there is an increase in the amount of mucus released from the cervical canal. In addition, sometimes they use the stretchability and transparency of mucus, and also observe its crystallization, which can be done using a special microscope for home use.

The next most accurate method for determining ovulation is measuring basal temperature. An increase in mucous discharge from the vagina and a decrease in rectal (basal) temperature on the day of ovulation with an increase the next day most likely indicates ovulation. The basal temperature chart reflects the temperature effect of progesterone and indirectly (but quite accurately) allows you to determine the fact and day of ovulation.

All of these listed signs of ovulation and methods for determining it provide only approximate results.

Signs of ovulation, which are stated by the doctor:

How to accurately recognize ovulation?
There are methods that help to absolutely determine the moment of ovulation:

Ultrasound observation (ultrasound) of the growth and development of the follicle and determination of the moment of its rupture (ovulation), see photo. Ultrasound monitoring of follicle maturation is the most accurate method for determining ovulation. After the end of menstruation, approximately on the 7th day of the cycle, the gynecologist performs an ultrasound using a vaginal sensor. After this, the procedure should be carried out every 2-3 days to monitor the preparation of the endometrium. Thus, it is possible to predict the date of ovulation.

dynamic determination of luteinizing hormone (LH level) in urine. This method is simpler and can be applied at home using ovulation tests. Ovulation tests begin to be carried out 2 times a day, 5 - 6 days before expected ovulation, strictly following the instructions.

Ovulation test at home

Home ovulation tests work by determining rapid growth the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. A small amount of LH is always present in the urine, but 24-36 hours before ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), its concentration increases sharply.

Using Ovulation Tests

On what day should testing begin? This day depends on the length of your cycle. The first day of the cycle is the day when menstruation begins. Cycle length - the number of days elapsed from the first day last menstrual period until the first day of the next one.

If you have a regular cycle, then you need to start doing tests ~17 days before the start of your next menstruation, since the corpus luteum phase after ovulation lasts 12-16 days (on average, usually 14). For example, if the usual length of your cycle is 28 days, then testing should begin on the 11th day, and if 35, then on the 18th.

If your cycle lengths vary, choose the shortest cycle in the last 6 months and use its length to calculate the day to start testing. At very fickle cycles and the presence of delays of a month or more - the use of tests without additional monitoring of ovulation and follicles is not reasonable due to their high cost(If you use tests every few days, you may miss ovulation, and using these tests every day is not worth it).

When used daily or 2 times a day (morning and evening), these tests give good results, especially in conjunction with ultrasound. With simultaneous monitoring by ultrasound, you can not waste tests, but wait until the follicle reaches approximately 18-20 mm, when it is able to ovulate. Then you can start doing tests every day.

Performing an ovulation test

You can take an ovulation test at any time of the day, but you should stick to the same test time whenever possible. You should refrain from urinating for at least 4 hours before the test. Avoid excessive fluid intake before testing, this may reduce the amount of LH in the urine and reduce the reliability of the result.

Determining ovulation using test strips: place the test strip in a jar of urine up to the line indicated on the test for 5 seconds, place it on a clean, dry surface, and watch the result after 10-20 seconds.

Determining ovulation using a test device: Holding the tip of the absorbent pointing down, place it under a stream of urine for 5 seconds. You can also collect the urine in a clean, dry container and place the absorbent in the urine for 20 seconds. Holding the tip of the absorbent pointing downwards, remove the absorbent from the urine. Now you can put the cap back on. The result can be seen in 3 minutes.

Ovulation test results

Results of determining ovulation using a test strip: 1 strip means that an increase in LH levels has not yet occurred, repeat the test after 24 hours. 2 stripes - an increase in LH levels is recorded, the intensity of the strip next to the control one indicates the amount of the hormone. Ovulation is possible when the stripe intensity is the same as the control or brighter.

Results of determining ovulation using a test device: Look at the result window and compare the result line on the left near the arrow on the body of the stick with the control line on the right. The line closest to the arrow on the body is the result line, which shows the level of LH in the urine. Further to the right of the arrow on the body of the stick there is a control line. The control line is used for comparison with the result line. The control line always appears in the window if the test was carried out correctly.

If the result line is paler than the control line, the LH surge has not yet occurred and testing should be continued daily. If the result line is the same or darker than the control line, then the release of the hormone in the ear has occurred, and within 24-36 hours you will ovulate.

The most suitable 2 days for conception begin from the moment when you determine that the LH surge has already occurred. If sexual intercourse occurs within the next 48 hours, your chance of getting pregnant will be maximized. Once you have determined that an outlier has occurred, there is no need to continue testing.

Types of Ovulation Tests

The most common are disposable test strips for determining ovulation, similar to pregnancy tests, their price is not high.

There are also devices for determining ovulation, which are gradually replacing expensive one-time tests; they also quite accurately determine the moment of ovulation, but they are also multifunctional and more economical, they do not need to be changed every time after use and they are designed for many years of work.

The tests allow you to fairly accurately determine ovulation; experts attribute the existing errors in the results of ovulation tests only to their incorrect use.

Thus, by combining several methods to determine the moment of ovulation, you can track the long-awaited ovulation with an absolute guarantee. After all, it is on these days that the chance for successful conception is the highest: there is ovulation - conception is possible.

Ovulation calendar

Using ovulation data from a basal temperature chart or tests for at least 3 months, you can create an ovulation calendar. The calendar allows you to predict the day of the next ovulation, thus making it possible to plan conception and pregnancy.

Ovulation and pregnancy

For a woman, the few days before and after ovulation represent the fertile phase during which conception and pregnancy are most likely.

There is a noticeable difference in the timing of ovulation among different women. And even from the same woman exact dates The onset of ovulation varies in different months. Menstrual cycles may be longer or shorter than average and may be irregular. IN in rare cases it happens that women with very short cycle Ovulation occurs around the end of the menstrual bleeding period, but in most cases, ovulation occurs regularly at the same time.

Not only the actual conception of the child, but also its gender depends on the time of conception in relation to the time of ovulation. Directly at the moment of ovulation, there is a high probability of conceiving a boy, while before and after ovulation, a girl is more likely to be conceived. This is explained by the fact that sperm with the Y chromosome (boys) are faster, but live shorter and are less stable in acidic environment before ovulation than with the XX set (girls). If the egg is already moving toward fresh sperm, the “boys” will reach it faster. If sperm “wait” for an egg for a long time, most of the sperm remain in it to conceive a girl.

The likelihood of conception and pregnancy is generally highest on the day of ovulation and is estimated at approximately 33%. A high probability of pregnancy is also noted on the day before ovulation - 31%, two days before it - 27%. Five days before ovulation, the probability of conception and pregnancy is 10%; four days - 14% and three days - 16%. Six days before ovulation and the day after it, the likelihood of conception and pregnancy during sexual intercourse is very low.

Considering that the average “lifespan” of sperm is 2-3 days (in rare cases it reaches 5-7 days), and female egg remains viable for about 12-24 hours, then maximum duration The fertile period is 6-9 days and the fertile period corresponds to the phase of slow increase (6-7 days) and rapid decline (1-2 days) before and after the day of ovulation, respectively. Ovulation divides the menstrual cycle into two phases: the follicle maturation phase, which with an average cycle duration is 10-16 days and the luteal phase (corpus luteum phase), which is stable, independent of the duration of the menstrual cycle and is 12-16 days. The corpus luteum phase refers to the period of absolute infertility; it begins 1-2 days after ovulation and ends with the onset of a new menstruation. If for one reason or another ovulation does not occur, the endometrial layer in the uterus is thrown out during menstruation.

Ovulation stimulation

Lack of ovulation is one of the common causes of infertility.

Ovulation disorders are caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system and can be caused by inflammation of the genitals, dysfunction of the adrenal cortex or thyroid gland, systemic diseases, tumors of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, intracranial pressure, stressful situations. Ovulation disorders can be hereditary in nature (primarily, it is a tendency to certain diseases that interfere with ovulation). Anovulation - absence of ovulation in childbearing age- manifested by a disturbance in the rhythm of menstruation such as oligomenorrhea (menstruation lasting 1-2 days), amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Lack of ovulation is always the cause of a woman's infertility.

One of the common causes of infertility is the lack of ovulation, most often due to hormonal imbalance, which, in turn, can occur due to stress, brain injury, abortion, etc. To treat this condition, a complex is used hormonal drugs, stimulating ovulation and causing superovulation, when several eggs mature in the ovaries at the same time, which increases the chances of fertilization, and is widely used in the IVF procedure.

Another cause of infertility may be, for example, luteal phase deficiency - LPF, when ovulation has occurred and the concentration of progesterone in the second phase of menstruation is insufficient for implantation of the embryo into the uterus. In this case, treatment is carried out aimed at stimulating the function of the corpus luteum of the ovary and increasing the level of progesterone in the blood. However, correction of NLF is not always successful, since this condition is often associated with other gynecological diseases and requires a thorough examination.

If a woman has a disruption in the process of follicle maturation and, accordingly, ovulation, ovulation is stimulated. For this purpose, special medications are prescribed - ovulation inducers. Prescribing medications leads to stimulation of the development of one or more eggs in patients, which will then be ready for fertilization. Before prescribing such serious therapy, a full range of tests is carried out to determine the woman’s hormone levels. In addition to the use of ovulation stimulation, regular diagnostics using ultrasound are also carried out. After ovulation, if it is still not possible to become pregnant naturally, the patient undergoes intrauterine insemination or IVF. Eat a big difference in the method of stimulating ovulation for IVF and for natural conception: in the first case, the maturation of several eggs is achieved, in the second - 1, maximum 2.

Drugs to stimulate ovulation

The most commonly used drugs to stimulate ovulation are Clostilbegit and gonadotropic hormone drugs.

Preparations of gonadotropic hormones contain hormones of the endocrine gland of the pituitary gland - gonadotropins. These are follicle-stimulating hormone - FSH and luteinizing hormone - LH. These hormones regulate the process of follicle maturation and ovulation in a woman’s body and are secreted by the pituitary gland on certain days of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, when medications containing these hormones are prescribed, follicle maturation and ovulation occur.

Such drugs include Menopur (contains the hormones FSH and LH) and Gonal-F (contains the hormone FSH).

The drugs are available in injection form, administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

How is ovulation stimulated?

Various ovulation stimulation schemes are used depending on the type of ovulation disorder and the duration of the disorder. When using a regimen with Clostilbegit, the latter is prescribed from days 5 to 9 of the menstrual cycle. A combination of this drug with gonadotropins is often used. In this case, Clostilbegit is prescribed from days 3 to 7 of the menstrual cycle with the addition of Menopur (Puregon) on certain days.

When performing ovulation stimulation, it is very important point is to conduct ultrasound monitoring, that is, monitoring the maturation of the follicle using an ultrasound machine. This allows you to make adjustments to the treatment regimen and avoid this in a timely manner. side effect stimulation such as the growth of several follicles. The frequency of ultrasound examinations during the treatment program is on average 2-3 times. During each examination (monitoring), the number of growing follicles is counted, their diameter is measured and the thickness of the uterine mucosa is determined.

When the leading follicle reaches a diameter of 18 millimeters, the doctor may prescribe medicinal product Pregnyl, which completes the final process of egg maturation and causes ovulation (direct release of the egg from the follicle). Ovulation after Pregnil administration occurs within 24-36 hours. Depending on the type of marital infertility, during the period of ovulation, either intrauterine insemination is carried out with the sperm of the husband or donor, or the time of sexual intercourse is calculated.

Depending on the duration and cause of infertility, the woman’s age, the pregnancy rate per attempt is 10–15%.

Conditions for ovulation stimulation:

1. Examination of a married couple.
List of tests:
HIV (both spouses)
Syphilis (both spouses)
Hepatitis B (both spouses)
Hepatitis C (both spouses)
Smear for degree of purity (woman)
Bacteriological cultures: chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, candida, gardnerella (both spouses)
Smear for oncocytology (woman)
Therapist's conclusion about the possibility of pregnancy
Ultrasound of the mammary glands
Blood test for antibodies to rubella, that is, the presence of immunity (protection) in a woman

2. Patent fallopian tubes.
Since fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube (“Physiology of Conception”) an important condition For pregnancy to occur, the fallopian tubes are patent. Assessment of fallopian tube patency can be carried out using several methods:

• Laparoscopy
• Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy
• Metrosalpingography

Since each method has its own indications, the choice of method is determined jointly by you and your attending physician at the appointment.

3. Absence of intrauterine pathology
Any deviations from the uterine cavity prevent pregnancy (“ Intrauterine pathology"). Therefore, if a woman has indications of trauma to the uterine mucosa (curettage of the uterine cavity during abortion and bleeding, inflammation of the uterine mucosa - endometritis, intrauterine device and other factors), hysteroscopy is recommended to assess the condition of the uterine cavity (“Hysteroscopy”).

4. Satisfactory sperm quality
Satisfactory sperm quality – absence of male factor infertility. In the event that there are no plans to conduct intrauterine insemination, before inducing ovulation, a postcoital test (“Postcoital test”) is recommended.

5. Lack of acute inflammatory process
Absence of acute inflammatory process of any localization. Any inflammatory disease is a contraindication for many diagnostic and medical procedures in medicine, since it carries a risk of worsening the patient’s condition.

It is best to use folk remedies to stimulate ovulation only after consulting a doctor.

Ovulation photo taken during IVF surgery

The 3rd photo shows that several eggs have matured (after preliminary stimulation of ovulation).

The chance of getting pregnant on the day of ovulation is higher than during the rest of the menstrual cycle. However, conception does not always occur during this favorable period. Let's think about what factors determine the probability of getting pregnant during ovulation, and why it may decrease.

Firstly, ovulation does not occur in every cycle. Therefore, even if you made love exactly in the middle of the cycle, conception may not occur. If ovulation was confirmed by symptoms, tests, and basal temperature levels, then you can think about what prevented fertilization. And there can be a lot of options here.

1. Perhaps the concentration of living, motile sperm is too low. You can determine whether this is true or not by taking a spermogram. The treatment is carried out by an andrologist. According to statistics, approximately 40 out of 100 cases of infertility have a “masculine origin.”

2. Obstruction of the fallopian tubes. This is very common complication adnexitis, various sexually transmitted infections. Often, adhesions in the tubes appear as a complication after a medical abortion. Fortunately, this can also be treated. Adhesions can be diagnosed and immediately treated (cut) laparoscopically.

3. The female body produces antibodies aimed at fighting foreign organisms - sperm. As a result of this, cervical mucus, which during ovulation should help sperm move faster towards the egg, on the contrary, turns out to be destructive for them. This condition is treated by a woman taking special drugs

, which suppress her immunity, and conception thus becomes possible. 4. Pathologies of the uterine body.

Uterine fibroids, cysts and other tumors can interfere with the implantation of an already fertilized egg into the uterine wall.

Purely theoretically, you can increase the chances of conceiving on the days when you are most likely to get pregnant if you do not make love before this period. That is, you need to take a break of about 2 weeks. Then the concentration of sperm should be higher. A woman should not use any “moisturizers” during sexual intercourse. Vaseline, lubricants - all of this can potentially interfere with the progress of sperm towards their goal. But little depends on the position during and after sexual intercourse. And one more thing - if you have untreated sexually transmitted infections, even simple thrush, it is too early to think about conception. You need to get treatment first. And then pregnancy will come quickly, and the baby will not be in any danger.

Some women take every possible action to conceive, while others try to avoid pregnancy by any means. But every representative of the fair sex, regardless of their aspirations, is interested in the question: is it possible to get pregnant not on the days of ovulation?

Dangerous time or favorable moment Often girls for successful conception child use the calendar method to determine the day of ovulation. But what is typical is that many representatives of the fairer sex use this method

and as a contraceptive. In any case, women must understand this method if they want to achieve their goals.

So, slight spotting symbolizes the beginning of the menstrual cycle. From this moment the report of the first phase begins, which lasts 3-5 days.

Most often during this period, women experience the following symptoms:

• Weakness;
• Headaches (possibly even migraines);
• Nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• Irritability.

The first phase is replaced by the second - follicular, the duration of which is 10-12 days. Here the behavior of women changes radically. Irritability is replaced by good mood, health improves. Girls are worried about only one thing unpleasant moment- abdominal pain. This symptom indicates that the “X” moment is approaching, the “time of pregnancy” is approaching.

Together with painful sensations Women also experience:

• Increased desire;
• Vaginal discharge resembling chicken protein in composition;
• Bloating (many women complain of increased gas formation);
• Increased breast sensitivity;
• Change in taste preferences.

The period of egg maturation and the fertile day (the most favorable moment for conception) occur precisely in the follicular phase.

The last stage of the menstrual cycle is the luteal stage. The duration of this phase is 10-14 days. During this period, women experience high spirits, vigor and increased performance. The end of the menstrual cycle is marked by the arrival bloody discharge.

It is worth noting that the duration of the above menstrual phases typical for a 28 day cycle. When women have a break between menstruation of 35 days, the most favorable days for conception are 20-22 days from the moment the spotting appears. With a 22-day cycle, ovulation occurs on the 8th day from the start of menstruation.

Necessary conditions for conception

To answer the question: is it possible to get pregnant outside of ovulation days, you need to understand the picture of conception itself. Thus, pregnancy is possible only if a number of certain conditions are met:

• The hormonal background must “correspond” to the moment;
• The uterus must be prepared to receive a fertilized egg (if there are problems with the endometrium, pregnancy will not occur);
• “Presence” of healthy and motile sperm;
• An appropriate level of acidity in the vagina, promoting motor activity male cells.

In addition, women should understand that the closer the ovulatory phase, the greater the chance of pregnancy. However medical practice There are cases when conception occurred in the luteal stage before menstruation or the follicular phase when it would seem almost impossible to get pregnant.

A similar picture can be observed only in 2 cases:

1. In a woman, the vaginal microflora creates extremely favorable conditions for sperm, as a result of which their life expectancy increases significantly;
2. For certain reasons (stress, fatigue, climate change), the process of egg maturation is delayed, and ovulation occurs much later than expected.

However, such a picture is observed quite rarely. This is confirmed by the reviews shared by women on the Internet.

Pregnancy before the birth of oocytes

Reviews from doctors about the possibility of conception outside the ovulatory phase differ. Some believe that pregnancy cannot occur before the egg is released. Others express the opinion that the absence of oocytes during sexual intercourse cannot guarantee that pregnancy will not occur. In any case, the fact of conception has the greatest influence male factor. Namely:

• Period of sperm maturation. The duration of “maturation” of male cells depends on the temperament of their “owner”. Until the sperm get into the female “embraces,” they behave quietly, move and breathe little. The favorable environment of the vagina awakens them to work and stimulates active behavior. However, when representatives of the stronger sex lead a discreet lifestyle and rarely “contact” with women, male cells grow old and lose the ability to fertilize.
• Duration of existence of spermatozoa. The lifespan of male cells is primarily affected by the condition female flora vagina. The presence of infections and increased acidity will definitely shorten their period of existence. Naturally, men's health problems will also shorten their lives. When any problems are present, the sperm die within 1-2 days. If male cells find themselves in ideal living conditions, then they have the opportunity to fertilize within 8-10 days.
• The manner of movement of sperm. When men have no health problems, their cells can move a distance of 3 millimeters per second. But the female body “slows down” the progress of sperm, creates obstacles for them on the way to the egg, forcing them to move against the flow. As a result, tadpoles lose a lot of strength and energy. In the uterus, the cells move much faster; they manage to cover up to 1.5 centimeters in 2-3 minutes. But in any case, the journey to the set goal takes the sperm several hours.

Accordingly, if a number of conditions are met, conception can occur not at the moment of sexual intercourse, but after several days, and possibly tens of days. It all depends on the health of the partner.

Conception during anoovulation

Doctors have the same opinion about the ability of women to conceive a child in the absence of mature eggs - pregnancy is impossible during anovulation. Unfortunately, many girls are unaware of their diagnosis for quite a long time and make futile attempts to become pregnant. And someone, for the purpose of protection, stuffs their body with hormonal medications, without even thinking about the meaninglessness of their actions.

In any case, women should know about their diagnosis so as not to miss the moment and undergo necessary treatment, since anovulation affects not only the process of conception, but also:

• Hormonal background of the body;
• Emotional condition;
• External data (many women experience a sharp weight gain due to this disease);
• The work of the female sphere (with anovulation, problems with the menstrual cycle are observed).

In addition, the fairer sex has an increased risk of developing serious gynecological diseases.

When girls decide to have a baby and encounter some difficulties, then one of the mandatory measures to increase the chances of conception is choosing a favorable time for fertilization, i.e. calculating ovulation. Knowing this day, you can easily calculate the most favorable time for conception. But even in this, it would seem simple question Often there are ambiguities that require clarification. Is it possible to get pregnant a week before ovulation, how likely is such a conception and when is the best time to make attempts for successful fertilization.

The birth of a child brings joy and happiness to every family

First, it’s worth understanding what ovulation is and why it is so important for successful procreation. Every woman needs this for control and planning or to protect against unwanted motherhood.

• Every relatively healthy girl of childbearing age undergoes monthly cyclical processes in her body in a certain sequence, which take about 21-34 days.
• When one menstrual cycle ends, your period arrives and the second begins. It is the beginning of menstruation that signals the beginning of a new cycle. And so on every month.
• On the first day of menstruation, the process of development and maturation of follicles begins in the ovary. Within a few days, the most dominant of them will be revealed, which will continue active development, the rest will return to their previous state.
• Around the middle of the cycle, the follicle matures to the desired state, its wall ruptures and releases an egg that is mature and ready for fertilization, which is sent into the fallopian tube for fertilization by sperm.
• The time the cell emerges and moves into the tube is called ovulation.
• It is at this time that a woman has every chance of successfully conceiving.

Theoretically, it is impossible to get pregnant before ovulation. After all, the cell has not yet had time to leave the follicle, which means that the sperm will not be able to fertilize it. But if sexual intercourse occurred before the onset of ovulatory period, and the sperm has waited until the cell matures, then conception is quite possible. Therefore, in fact, pregnancy before ovulation is possible. But more on that below.

Early and late ovulation

The duration of the menstrual cycle is individual for each woman

The concept of the ovulatory period is not so clear. Although most women this process falls in the middle of the cycle, there are also those for whom the time of cell release is slightly shifted. Similar phenomenon doctors call early or late ovulation. In patients with a cycle of 28 days, the cell matures on days 14-15, i.e. exactly in the middle of the cycle two weeks before menstruation. If the cycle lasts only 22 days, then the release of the egg occurs on the 7th-8th day, also two weeks before the onset of menstrual bleeding. This early period egg maturation.

If the cycle is long and lasts, for example, 34 days, then the ovulatory period will occur on the 20th day of the cycle, and this is much later than the generally accepted norm. But such phenomena are considered quite normal and depend on the individual characteristics of the girl’s body. The main thing is that menstruation comes regularly. If they are uneven, then consultation with a specialist is necessary.

If a girl early maturation egg, and she calculates the onset of this phase based on the average 28-day cycle length, then in her understanding it is possible to become pregnant even before the cell matures. Although in reality it will, of course, mature and be successfully fertilized. With the late onset of the ovulatory period, conception occurs much later, when, according to all perfect calculations, it turns out that the cell has long matured and left the follicle.

How to determine day X

There are several effective and fairly reliable methods for counting and determining the entrance of a mature egg. The calendar has already been discussed above. It consists in subtracting 14 days from the date of expected menstruation. But this technique is approximate and only works in the case of regular menstruation, when the body works like a clock, which is rare.

A more accurate method is considered basal measurements, but such a calculation takes long time and requires daily manipulations in compliance with strict rules.

• Every morning a girl, as soon as she opens her eyes, must measure rectal temperature and enter the data into a special chart.
• Until the ovulatory period, the temperature will remain below 37°C; when the follicle ruptures, the temperature drops sharply, and after a few hours it rises above 37°C.
• It is this jump on the graph that indicates the accomplished release of a mature cell.
• For the basal method to be as accurate as possible, the girl needs to take measurements over several cycles.
• As a result, it will be possible, based on the charts for the last few months, to predict the onset of the next ovulatory period and select the most favorable time for conception.

There is a less labor-intensive method - the use of special tests. Such systems work in a similar way to pregnancy tests, however, they react to the content of luteinizing hormone if its level is elevated. Usually given hormonal substance sharply increases approximately a day and a half before the onset of the ovulatory period. Having calculated the approximate calendar dates for the release of the egg, you need to start testing 5-6 days before. Measurements are taken twice a day strictly according to the instructions. When the cell is released, two clear lines will appear on the test strip.

You can determine the maturation of the egg using ultrasound diagnostics, tracking follicular development. The study is carried out using a vaginal sensor. By using similar method the specialist monitors the condition of the follicle and will be able to detect when it ruptures, which indicates ovulation has taken place.

Pregnancy before the ovulatory phase

Freshly squeezed juices are very useful for the expectant mother

So, we come to the basic question of whether it is possible to get pregnant before ovulation. There is a lot of disagreement regarding this issue. Conception is quite possible if PA took place a little earlier than the cell left the follicle. But in fact, fertilization occurs after this event. Conception that occurs during sexual intercourse that takes place 1-4 days before the release of the egg is considered a completely acceptable phenomenon. This is facilitated by factors such as increased sperm vitality and alkaline environment in the vaginal cavity.

To increase the chance of successful motherhood, you need to take care of maintaining the viability of sperm before the onset of the ovulatory stage of the cycle. To do this, after sex you need to give up douching and even just washing your face; it is better to lie down for about half an hour with your pelvis slightly elevated so that the sperm can quickly reach the uterus. Since sperm can sometimes live in the female reproductive tract for a week, fertilization is possible 5-6 days before the ovulatory period, although the likelihood of getting pregnant in such a situation is negligible.

Conception a few days before ovulation

Experts in the field of gynecology and obstetrics claim that it is quite possible to become pregnant a few days (1-4) before the onset of the ovulatory stage. It is believed that the maximum high probability conception, if PA took place on the day the cell was released, the chances in such a case are 33%. What is the probability of a successful pregnancy before the ovulatory phase arrives?

1. Five days before cell maturation – 10%;
2. For 4 – 14%;
3. For three – 16%;
4. For two – 27%;
5. Is it possible to get pregnant 1 day before ovulation? Experts say that the chances of such a conception are 31%.

After the ovulatory period, there is a sharp decrease in the likelihood of pregnancy, and two days after the release of the egg, it loses its viability and dies. Now, before the next cycle, the girl enters the infertility phase. Based on the above information, the fertile period for patients begins approximately 4 days before ovulation and continues for another day after it. It is during this period that it is necessary to have sex without protection in order to successfully conceive.

There are several ways to determine favorable period for conception

But great value in this matter has the viability of sperm. Average duration Sperm activity in the female body is about 3-4 days, and sperm with an X chromosome are more likely to live that long (daughters are born from these). If you create favorable environment, then the partner’s sex cells will be able to survive in the uterus and tubes for 7-11 days. Therefore, it is impossible to exclude the possibility of conception occurring during unprotected intimacy a week and a half before the maturation of the egg. Therefore, a lot also depends on the man, although the stronger sex is accustomed to placing all responsibility in terms of pregnancy on the woman.

To increase the chances of successful fertilization, the couple is recommended to have sex once every 1-2 days. This type of sexual activity provides a beneficial effect on the formation of high-quality seed material. If sexual intercourse is more frequent or less frequent, the quality of sperm will noticeably deteriorate.

Pregnancy after the release of the egg

If the question of whether a girl can get pregnant before ovulation is more or less clear, then what about conception after the ovulatory phase of the cycle? The opinion of doctors indicates that within a day after the release of the egg, absolute infertility occurs, which will last until the next period. According to statistics, the probability of conception in given time close to zero. It’s just that such a phase divides the menstrual cycle into two stages: follicular and luteinizing. During the last stage, the yellow-bodied gland develops, during which pregnancy becomes impossible.

The corpus luteum phase begins within a day after the egg leaves the follicle and continues until the arrival of menstruation. Once released, the cell can live no more than a day, after which it dies. That’s why you can only get pregnant in the first 24 hours, and then conception becomes impossible. Although we must not forget about exceptions, when patients were surprised to discover signs of pregnancy after sexual intercourse on absolutely safe days. Doctors explain such cases with hormonal variability of the cycle and its dependence on the psycho-emotional state of the patient. For example, in a stressful state, the phase of egg release may shift slightly, which will lead to such consequences.

Pregnancy during menstruation

We figured out that you can get pregnant before ovulation, but it turns out that conception is possible even during menstrual bleeding and a couple of days before it starts. The fact is that nature has endowed each girl with some individual characteristics, therefore their reproductive processes proceed according to their own scenario.

• From a medical point of view, the onset of pregnancy on such seemingly safe days is determined by the particularly long viability of sperm and the irregularity of the female menstrual cycle.
• With the late onset of the ovulatory phase, it is likely that the female cell will be able to be fertilized in the safe premenstrual days.
• This is why girls with irregular cycle who do not plan to become pregnant, it is necessary to thoroughly approach the problem of high-quality contraception.
• For such patients, it is impossible to accurately calculate the onset of the ovulatory phase, and therefore safe days cannot be determined either.

In such cases, cell maturation can occur on any day of the cycle, which is impossible to predict.

Is it possible to get pregnant without a cell coming out?

If a girl does not have egg maturation, then her reproductive system simply not capable of producing full-fledged germ cells. IN similar situations pregnancy is impossible, because the main condition for this process (cell maturation) is absent. Such patients need to undergo comprehensive and in-depth examination in order to determine true reasons lack of ovulatory processes. This phenomenon is caused by serious hormonal disorders, which can be treated with adequate therapy.

When conception occurs, the maturation of eggs stops during the gestation period. In the body of the expectant mother, cardinal hormonal changes occur, aimed at preserving and bearing the fetus. And they are incompatible with ovulatory processes and hormonal levels for their implementation. During such a period, the maturation of the egg threatens the woman with interruption, so nature itself turns off this process during gestation.

Let's summarize. If PA occurred a week before the ovulatory phase, then it is possible to conceive a baby, but it is unlikely. Every day the chances increase and already the day before ovulation, conception is possible with more than 30% probability. If you do not want children, take care of contraception during this period. A day after the cell is released, conception becomes impossible, so these days will be safe for pregnancy.