Ideally, don’t have unprotected intercourse ever to also protect against diseases and infections; unless you are actually trying for a pregnancy
What is ovulation
Ovulation is part of a woman’s menstrual cycle when her body ovulates, meaning the ovaries release an egg (or more than one egg) that’s ready to be let out, into the fallopian tubes.
Let’s start at the start. When females are born, they have about one to two million eggs in their bodies. After they attain puberty -- that usually happens between the ages of 10 and 15 years – the monthly menstrual cycles begin and continue until menopause around the age of 45-50 years.
The first day of the menstrual cycle is the first day of the period, and the last day of the menstrual cycle is the day before the next period begins. This span of a menstrual cycle is usually 28 days (but cycles that are regular but shorter or longer than 28 days, say 21 days or 40 days, are also normal). Ovulation occurs each month around the mid-point of this menstrual cycle.
How can I know out when I'm going to ovulate
Well, it takes a bit of maths! You have to work backwards from when your period starts. The time you’re likely to ovulate lasts four days, between 16 and 12 days before the first day of your period.
If you have a period every 28 days, take 16 away from 28:
28 - 16 = 12
That means the four days you’re most likely to ovulate begin 12 days after your period starts. So your period starts on day 1, and you ovulate between day 12 and 16.
If you have a period every 21 days, take 16 away from 21:
21 - 16 = 5
Ovulation calculator
That means the four days you’re likely to ovulate begin 5 days after your period starts. So your period starts on day 1, and you ovulate between day 5 and 9.
Puzzled? Try an online ovulation calculator!
How can I avoid getting pregnant?
Use a contraceptive! See the section on birth control. If you haven’t started your periods, use a condom. Contraceptives that use hormones, like the pill, might not work if you haven’t started your periods.
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