The Main Event of The Cycle: Ovulation
Updated: Mar 14, 2022
Sometimes I think we should go ahead & rename the menstrual cycle to “the ovulatory cycle” instead. To put it plainly, that’s what our cycle truly is is. Menstruation (a woman’s period) can only happen as a result of ovulation, & without ovulation, the hormonal sequence of events that makes up our cycle doesn’t exist.
Ovulation is incredibly important for women’s health! Here are some important things you should know about the main event of your menstrual cycle….
Ovulation is a Sign of Health
Yes, if you want to get pregnant, ovulation is the time that conception is possible.... But ovulation is important even if you’re not trying to conceive. At the time of ovulation, estrogen is the highest it will be during your entire cycle. Every system in your body, without exception, uses estrogen. Estrogen builds the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), aids in the growth of tissue & bone throughout your body, grows & stimulates your brain cells, increases blood flow & manages blood pressure for your cardiovascular system, & more.
Ovulation is proof that your body is producing enough estrogen in order to perform these very important tasks…. & after ovulation, the follicle that ruptured & released an egg is recycled by your body & becomes the Corpus Luteum. The Corpus Luteum is the temporary gland that secretes progesterone & causes it to rise. After estrogen performs it’s amazing growing & life-giving abilities on your body, progesterone sweeps in to normalize, maintain, & balance these systems.
The truth is that ovulation is not just for reproduction, but also for our own health as women. With every cycle we have, our hormones have a chance to support our well-being!
Ovulation Can’t Be Predicted
There is only one way to know the exact day of your cycle you ovulate on, & that is with a very well-timed ultrasound.... but that doesn't mean we can't prove that ovulation has occurred on our own!
Ovulation is also the most variable event in your cycle. Leading up to ovulation, the follicular (pre-ovulatory) phase can change in length cycle-to-cycle. If you have a regular cycle, you may notice that sometimes your cycle is a few days longer or a few days shorter… Maybe it appears that your period came a few days early or a few days late. In reality, this simply means that ovulation happened a few days earlier or a few days later, which can be totally normal & healthy! This simply depends on the interaction between your brain & your ovaries, as well as how long it takes a follicle to develop & release an egg that month. If you have irregular cycles– especially cycles that are very long (over 35 days)-- this also means that ovulation is the event in your cycle that is being delayed. Due to hormonal imbalance, stress, or illness, it may take an abnormal length of time for you to ovulate… However, once you do ovulate, the Luteal Phase or post-ovulatory phase still remains much more stable & steady, in comparison to the Follicular or pre-ovulatory phase.
Ovulation predictor kits (LH strips), cervical mucus, & other signs of ovulation cannot determine the precise timing the egg is released…. But they CAN help you identify different stages of increasing fertility & hormonal activity. In the SymptoHormonal Fertility Awareness Method, you’ll learn to calculate a Peak Day, which is the best estimated day of ovulation. However, this is NEVER predicted in advanced & "averages" or past Peak Days do not influence your current Peak Day, since we know this part of your cycle has variability. Instead, Peak Day is confirmed in hindsight.
Ovulation only lasts 12-24 hours, then immediately following, a woman is infertile for the rest of her cycle. Since we don’t know the exact day though, a woman is considered potentially fertile from the first sign of fertility until she meets not just one, but two rules that confirm she is no longer fertile. Thanks to scientific research, a buffer is created around the fertile window for accuracy. By collecting data & identifying the whole fertile window, instead of predicting it or using unreliable apps to predict for you, you’re able to…
See if your fertile window is healthy & reflects good hormonal levels
Accurately prevent pregnancy without synthetic hormones (this natural birth control method is up to 99% efficacy if used correctly & taught by an instructor) or time intercourse to increase chances of conception
Ovulation is a Superpower
As your sex hormones shift throughout your cycle, your brain chemistry changes. During ovulation, you become an absolute badass!
The communication centers of your brain light up, making you more eloquent, social, & charming. Studies also show that women become more likely to take risks around the time of ovulation.
Ovulation is the time when women can ask for that raise they’ve worked so hard for (& get it!), achieve a new personal record in the gym, or be the life of the party at dinner with friends. With the right amount of estrogen & healthy ovulation occurring, mental health is supported by promoting serotonin, dopamine, & oxytocin. These “happy hormones” decrease anxiety & depression, promote feelings of well-being, aid in focus & motivation, & more.
Going on an adventure or communicating with confidence is a great way to use your hormones to their advantage! In my High-Performance Women’s Health coaching programs, I help my clients with personalized strategies to help them reach their biggest goals in a way that aligns with their hormones– no matter if their goal is related to health, their personal life, or their professional life.
To inquire about Audrey S. Geyer's services as a Fertility Awareness Educator & High-Performance Women's Health Coach, book a FREE Discovery Call. For the latest women's health tips & exclusive offers, join the email list: