When do you start your period after ovulation

When Does the Luteal Phase Start?

The luteal phase occurs during the second half of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation has occurred.

It starts after ovulation, on day 15 of your cycle.

How Long is the Luteal Phase?

While the follicular phase, or first half, of the menstrual cycle can vary in length, in most women, the luteal phase is consistently about 14 days long.

Some women experience a shorter luteal phase, known as luteal phase deficiency (LPD), which is the result of decreased progesterone levels that result in inadequate development of the uterine lining. The significance of LPD is controversial. LPD is diagnosed based on a biopsy of the lining of the uterus. It has been found in women who experience infertility, as well as fertile women, which makes it challenging to interpret the findings of this testing.

What Happens During the Luteal Phase?

During the Luteal Phase, the follicle that burst and released the egg (during ovulation) develops into a small yellow structure, or cyst, called the corpus luteum.

The corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen that cause the uterine lining, or endometrium, to thicken and be able to nourish a fertilized egg.

When sperm fertilizes an egg, the resulting embryo travels down the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus several days after ovulation.

The early embryo begins to make human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which maintains the corpus luteum and progesterone production. The corpus luteum will sustain the uterine lining and pregnancy until the placenta develops.

If the egg is not fertilized and an embryo does not implant, the corpus luteum deteriorates, and progesterone levels will fall. Without progesterone, the endometrium isn’t maintained and the uterus will start to shed its lining, resulting in menstruation.

Dr. Sydney Chang is a Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology at Stanford University, where she graduated with Honors and Distinction. She went on to complete her medical school education at Duke University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she served as an administrative chief resident. 

What ovulation signs can I look out for if I'm trying to conceive?

Answer From Mary Marnach, M.D.

Understanding when you're ovulating — and having sex regularly five days before and on the day of ovulation — can improve the odds of conceiving.

Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary. After it's released, the egg moves down the fallopian tube and stays there for 12 to 24 hours, where it can be fertilized. Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract as long as five days after sexual intercourse under the right conditions. Your chance of getting pregnant is highest when live sperm are present in the fallopian tubes during ovulation.

In an average 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period. However, each person's cycle length may be different, and the time between ovulation and the start of the next menstrual period may vary. If, like many women, you don't have a 28-day menstrual cycle, you can determine the length of your cycle and when you're most likely to ovulate by keeping a menstrual calendar.

Beyond the calendar, you can also look for ovulation signs and symptoms, including:

  • Change in vaginal secretions (cervical mucus). Just before ovulation, you might notice an increase in clear, wet and stretchy vaginal secretions. Just after ovulation, cervical mucus decreases and becomes thicker, cloudy and less noticeable.
  • Change in basal body temperature. Your body's temperature at rest (basal body temperature) increases slightly during ovulation. Using a thermometer specifically designed to measure basal body temperature, take your temperature every morning before you get out of bed. Record the results and look for a pattern to emerge. You'll be most fertile during the 2 to 3 days before your temperature rises.

You also might want to try an over-the-counter ovulation kit, which can help you identify when you're most likely to ovulate. These kits test your urine for the surge in hormones that takes place before ovulation. Ovulation occurs about 36 hours after a positive result.

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Dec. 07, 2021

  1. Welt CK. Evaluation of the menstrual cycle and timing of ovulation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 3, 2021.
  2. Jennings V. Fertility awareness-based methods of pregnancy prevention. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 3, 2021.
  3. Hornstein MD, et al. Optimizing natural fertility in couples planning pregnancy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 3, 2021.
  4. FAQs: Fertility awareness-based methods of family planning. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/fertility-awareness-based-methods-of-family-planning. Accessed Nov. 3, 2021.
  5. Trying to conceive. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/trying-conceive. Accessed Nov. 3, 2021.
  6. Your menstrual cycle. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle. Accessed Nov. 3, 2021.

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See also

  1. Birth control pill FAQ
  2. Ovulation
  3. Elective abortion and subsequent pregnancies
  4. Female fertility tips
  5. Fertility preservation
  6. Healthy sperm: Improving your fertility
  7. How to get pregnant
  8. Is a home sperm test useful?
  9. Secondary infertility
  10. Sperm life span

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