What does ovulation mean in Urdu?
Ovulation is the release of an egg from a woman's ovaries. In Urdu it is called baiza rezi, and many people simply say anday ka ikhraj, "the release of the egg". The NHS explains that the two ovaries are where eggs are stored, developed and released. After it is released, the egg travels down the fallopian tubes, two thin tubes that connect the ovaries to the womb (uterus).
Other words you will hear at a fertility clinic are explained in our guide Infertility meaning in Urdu.
How ovulation works in the menstrual cycle
The NHS describes the menstrual cycle (the monthly cycle) like this:
- The cycle is the time from the first day of a period to the day before the next period. The first day of the period is day 1.
- The cycle is controlled by hormones. Rising levels of the hormone oestrogen cause the ovary to develop and release an egg. The lining of the womb also starts to thicken.
- In the second half of the cycle, the hormone progesterone helps the womb to prepare for a developing embryo to implant.
- If pregnancy does not happen, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall. The womb lining comes away and leaves the body as a period.
A woman is born with all her eggs. Once her periods start, one egg develops and is released during each cycle. Occasionally more than one egg is released, and if more than one is fertilised it can lead to a multiple pregnancy, such as twins.
Pregnancy happens if a man's sperm meet and fertilise the egg. The NHS is clear that a woman cannot get pregnant if ovulation does not happen.
When does ovulation happen?
According to the NHS, the average cycle is around 28 days, and regular cycles from 21 to 35 days are normal. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when ovulation happens, but in most women it happens around 10 to 16 days before the next period.
| Your cycle | When ovulation is likely |
|---|---|
| Regular 28-day cycle | The NHS says you are likely to be fertile around day 14. MedlinePlus says the egg is normally released between days 11 and 14 after the start of the last period. |
| Regular cycle that is shorter or longer | The NHS says day 14 does not apply. In most women, ovulation happens around 10 to 16 days before the next period, but it is difficult to pinpoint exactly. |
| Irregular cycle | The NHS says it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when ovulation happens. MedlinePlus says a home ovulation kit can help, but you may not be able to detect the hormone rise if your cycle is irregular. |
Fertile days: when can you get pregnant?
The NHS says that, in theory, there is only a short time when a woman can get pregnant: the time around ovulation. Sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to 7 days after sex. The NHS also says it is possible, although not very likely, to get pregnant soon after a period finishes if you ovulate early or have a short cycle.
For couples trying to conceive, the NHS describes regular sex as sex every 2 to 3 days without using contraception.
Signs of ovulation
The NHS describes one sign you can notice yourself. Vaginal secretions (discharge) change during the cycle, and around the time of ovulation they become thinner and stretchy, a bit like raw egg white. The NHS also explains that when you are ovulating, the mucus in the cervix (the neck of the womb) becomes thinner so sperm can swim through it more easily. See a doctor if you are concerned about a change in your discharge.
MedlinePlus mentions basal body temperature (your body temperature at rest) as one of the measures that digital fertility monitors use to predict ovulation.
Ovulation tests (ovulation kits)
MedlinePlus explains how home ovulation tests work:
- The test detects a rise in luteinising hormone (LH) in the urine. A rise in this hormone signals the ovary to release an egg.
- Kits most often come with five to seven sticks, and you may need to test for several days. In general, start testing 3 to 5 days before the date you expect to ovulate. With a 28-day cycle, MedlinePlus says to begin on day 11; if your cycle is not 28 days, talk to your doctor about when to start testing.
- You urinate on the stick, or place it in urine collected in a clean container. Do not drink large amounts of fluids before the test.
- A positive result means you should ovulate in the next 24 to 36 hours. This may not be the case for all women. The kit's booklet tells you how to read the result.
- You may miss the rise if you miss a day of testing. Rarely, a test gives a false positive.
- Some medicines can change the result: oestrogens, progesterone and testosterone can lower LH levels (oestrogens and progesterone may be found in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy), and a medicine used to help trigger ovulation can raise them.
MedlinePlus advises talking to a doctor if you cannot detect a rise, or if you do not get pregnant after using the kit for several months.
How doctors check ovulation and fertility
At a fertility assessment, the NHS says:
- Questions: the doctor may ask whether your periods are regular and whether you have any bleeding between periods or after sex.
- Progesterone blood test: a sample of blood can be tested for the hormone progesterone to check whether you are ovulating. The timing of the test is based on how regular your periods are.
- Gonadotrophin test: if your periods are irregular, you will be offered a test of hormones called gonadotrophins, which stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs.
- Ultrasound scan: a scan can be used to check the ovaries, womb and fallopian tubes.
Fertility problems can affect either or both partners. For this reason the NHS advises both of you to see the doctor. Tests for men include a semen analysis. Read more on our fertility tests page.
What stops ovulation?
The NHS says infertility in women is commonly caused by problems with ovulation. Some problems stop an egg being released at all, while others stop it in some cycles but not others. Ovulation problems can be a result of:
- polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), which used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): see our guide PCOS and getting pregnant
- thyroid problems: both an overactive and an underactive thyroid gland can prevent ovulation
- premature ovarian failure, where the ovaries stop working before the age of 40
The NHS adds that in women, being overweight or severely underweight can affect ovulation, and illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine can make ovulation more difficult. Some hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill, the patch and the injection, works by stopping ovulation.
Treatment depends on what is causing the problem. The NHS lists medicines that encourage ovulation in women who do not ovulate regularly or cannot ovulate at all. Some of these medicines may cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, headaches and hot flushes, so speak to your doctor about them. The NHS also says that medicine that stimulates the ovaries is not recommended for women with unexplained infertility, because it has not been found to increase their chances of getting pregnant. Assisted conception, such as IUI and IVF, is another type of fertility treatment.
When to see a doctor
The NHS advises:
- see a doctor if you have not got pregnant after a year of trying through regular sex without contraception
- see a doctor sooner if the woman is aged 36 or over, or if you have any other reason to be concerned about your fertility, for example if you have had treatment for cancer or think you might have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Fertility tests can take time and female fertility decreases with age, so the NHS advises making an appointment early.
Getting checked at MCI in Mirpur
At Mother & Child International Hospital in Chitterpari, Mirpur, both partners are seen at the first consultation, because fertility problems can come from either side. The first consultation, the ultrasound scan for the woman and the semen analysis are free. You can start in Mirpur or by video, in Urdu or English.
Treatment depends on a doctor's assessment at the consultation. For patients in Pakistan, IUI costs Rs 6,000. IVF or ICSI costs Rs 80,000 from consultation to embryo transfer; medicines are separate and usually cost Rs 50,000 to 70,000. See all costs, or contact us to book a free consultation.