Facts about Fertility

Ovulation (the release of one or more eggs from an ovary) occurs within a 24 hour period and only once during a menstrual cycle.

Day 1 of menstrual bleeding is the first day of the cycle.

The time interval from day 1 to ovulation may vary.

The time interval from ovulation until menstruation is about 2 weeks.

Ovulation will occur early in a short cycle and later in a long cycle.

Observing the cervical mucus symptom gives information about being potentially fertile or infertile on a day by day basis.

The fertility and infertility patterns ahead of ovulation vary from woman to woman.

Once released from the ovary, the ovum (egg) lives for 12-24 hours, unless fertilised.

Sperm cells need suitable cervical mucus to survive and reach the ovum in the Fallopian tube.

Sperm cells may live for 3-5 days in suitable cervical mucus. At infertile times they will survive in the vagina for only an hour or two.

Typical Ovarian Cycle (illustrations)

Typical States of the Cervix during the Ovarian Cycle (illustrations)

Typical Ovarian Cycle (animation)

Typical States of the Cervix during the Ovarian Cycle (animation)