Your Fertile Window: Ovulation Phase
If you're trying to conceive, this is one of the most important phases of your cycle. It is the time when an egg is most likely to be released from the ovary. Let's take a simple look at how ovulation happens. As follicles grow, they produce increasing amounts of estrogen. When estrogen reaches a certain level, the pituitary gland releases a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). This sudden rise in LH triggers the release of an egg from the follicle, which is known as ovulation. Ovulation predictor kits work by detecting LH in urine. After the egg is released, the follicle transforms into the corpus luteum. In other words, ovulation marks both the formation of the corpus luteum and the breakdown of the follicle. This is the point when the menstrual cycle transitions from the follicular phase to the luteal phase.Reviewed by Dr. Seongil Choo, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Seoul Boramae Medical Center.