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When it comes to getting pregnant, it seems like some women can just wink at their partner and end up with a positive pregnancy test the next day. For most women, however, getting pregnant takes a little longer, even when both partners are healthy and fertile. In fact, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, it can take couples up to a year of regular sex to get pregnant. While the regular sex part may sound fun, the truth is that a year can feel like a very long time when you are eager to start your family! It’s not surprising that many women want to find ways to get pregnant fast. Given that getting pregnant is really all about timing, a good place to start is by understanding how the average cycle works and just how many fertile days per month you really have.
Understanding your cycle
The typical menstrual cycle is around 28 days, measuring from the first day of your last period to the start of your next one. Within this cycle, your body’s levels of hormones (like estrogen and progesterone) change, as do the odds that you’ll get pregnant. Within the average cycle, there are somewhere between four to six fertile days per month, occurring around the days when an egg is released from an ovary, otherwise known as ovulation. Conception is most likely to occur in the three days up to (and on) the day of ovulation, as sperm can live for three to five days in a woman’s body.
How do you know if you’re ovulating?
While some women may experience physical signs of ovulation, like increased sex drive, slight cramping, or breast tenderness, most women can’t feel when they are about to ovulate. If getting pregnant is the goal, being able to predict when ovulation is happening can help make sure you get the timing right for intercourse.
How can you predict when you’ll ovulate?
Some women who have very regular cycles may be able to predict when it is going to happen by using some basic math. According to Dr. Mark Trolice, an infertility specialist and assistant professor at the University of Central Florida, “a simple way to estimate ovulation is by subtracting two weeks from the period interval. In other words, if the interval is 28 days, then menstrual cycle day 14 is the expected day of ovulation; if the interval is 30 days, then day 16 is expected ovulation.”
For women who aren’t as regular or who just don’t want to rely on math, there are a range of other ways to try to predict when ovulation is likely to happen. Some women may rely on period tracking apps to help gauge when they are hitting the midpoint of their cycle. Another option is to starting charting your cycle, which entails tracking changes in your body temperature and cervical mucus over the course of your cycle. Some doctors, including Dr. Robert Gustofson of the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, also recommend using ovulation predictor kits to “more accurately time and predict when the egg will be released.” The good news about ovulation predictor kits is that, according to Dr. Trolice, it is fine to buy the most inexpensive tests on the market as “more expensive ones do not add value.”
Cycle disrupters
Understanding the right time to conceive is a great first step to getting pregnant, but it’s important to know that sometimes your cycle can get disrupted due to stress, excessive exercise, and weight fluctuations. Certain medical conditions also lead to irregular cycles, including polycystic ovary syndrome, uncontrolled diabetes , perimenopause, thyroid conditions, and some medications. If your cycle is irregular, your best bet is to talk to your doctor.
Having an irregular cycle can mean that it is harder to easily predict when ovulation is going to occur. While charting can be a useful tool, it may not work for those whose cycles are off. According to Dr. Janelle Luk, a reproductive endocrinologist with the Generation Next Fertility practice, “Charting becomes increasingly difficult in women with irregular cycles and is quite challenging to do without the use of reproductive technologies.” Those with irregular cycles may find that using ovulation predictor kits are a better option for them.
When to get help
According to some estimates, between 10-15% of couples struggle with infertility. If you are under the age of 35 and have been trying to get pregnant without success for a year, or are over 35 and have been trying for six months or more, you may want to consult with your doctor to find out more about your fertility. Women who have very irregular cycles, painful periods, or who don’t menstruate at all are also encouraged to seek medical advice sooner rather than later. You may also wish to get medical advice if your partner has a history of testicular or prostate problems, including cancer, or if there is a history of infertility in the family.
