When it comes to the topic of ovulation and getting pregnant, there are plenty of myths that tell you the secrets of conceiving. However, the reality is that most of these myths have no grounding in science.
In this post, we’ll look at a few myths surrounding the issue, and why these falsehoods are incorrect. Strap on your mythbuster hat and lets sleuth our way through these myths to determine fact from fiction.
Myth #1 – Ovulation Starts on Day 14 of Your Menstrual Cycle
Trying to pinpoint the exact day that you start ovulating is absurd. So many “gurus” out there state that day-14 is the optimal time for trying to conceive.
Well, our survey says – that’s a load of nonsense. Sure, you could start ovulating on day 14, or day 10, day 16, or even day 11. There’s no way to pinpoint it to a specific date.
Even those women with the most regular periods will never hold to an exact menstrual cycle or ovulation period. This fluctuation in your cycle is entirely reasonable, and the keyword to focus on here is “average.”
The average day for ovulation occurring is on day-14. However, a woman’s cycle can be anywhere from 21 to 35-days in length, depending on influencing factors affecting your hormone production. The optimal window for ovulation will shift from month-to-month.
However, by tracking your cycles over six to 12-months, you can gather your data to determine the mean average of your ovulation date.
Calculate your median average and make compensations for the time of year, your activity level, and other influencing factors. Include anything you think is noteworthy – such as stressful times of the year.
Myth #2 – It’s Impossible to Get Pregnant on Your Period
Another myth busted – done and dusted. You sure can get pregnant during your period. Your ability to conceive relates to when you ovulate, and it has little to do with when you menstruate.
Some women looking to fall pregnant make the mistake of thinking they can’t conceive if they are still experiencing bleeding and discharge.
However, if you have a short menstrual cycle, and then ovulate on day 8 or 9, you might still conceive while having sex on your period.
Some women also make the mistake of thinking that the menstrual blood will wash out the sperm. However, the sperm will keep swimming toward the eggs.
Myth #3 – You Need to have Sex After You Start Ovulating to Fall Pregnant
Ideally, the best time to have sex is before you start ovulating. It might seem like the egg needs to be present before you have sex. However, the reality is that sperm swim up the reproductive system. The swimmers hang out there for up to 5 to 6 days before they start to die.
So, the sperm don’t need to get there right at the exact moment of ovulation; they just need to be present in the days around your target ovulation date you collected from your data in the previous point.
You have the best chance of pregnancy by having the sperm present in the reproductive system before ovulation. The egg is only viable for around 12-hours after release from the ovary, and having the sperm in the area will increase the chances of conception.
Why Should You Use an Ovulation Tracker?
Using an ovulation tracker is the best way to identify when you start to ovulate, and the best time to try for conception. By understanding your menstrual rhythm using an ovulation tracker, it gives you accurate data. This data reduces your need for a hit-and-miss strategy that doesn’t bring the results you want.
There are dozens of ovulation tracker apps available for download on your smartphone. Chose the best option and start tracking your ovulation right now.
