The fertile period lasts about 6 days and usually takes place between 10 and 14 days after the first day of menstruation in women who have a 28-day menstrual cycle that is considered regular.
This period is considered fertile because it is when ovulation occurs, which consists of the release of the ovum by the ovary, making it available to be fertilized by a spermatozoon, which can survive for about 5 days. Thus, this fertile period is calculated taking into account that there is a greater probability of becoming pregnant 5 days before ovulation and 1 day after ovulation, since the life time of the ovule is approximately 1 day.
For example, if a woman has intimate contact on day 5, and if that is the first day of her fertile period, her egg is probably not yet ripe. However, the sperm can remain inside the vagina until day 8, which is when ovulation can occur, and it is still possible to be fertilized by the sperm that remained alive, which can result in the conception of a baby.
How to calculate the fertile period?
Ovulation occurs 14 days before menstruation, and generally, in women with a 28-day cycle, it happens halfway. However, many women have shorter or longer cycles and, in these cases, it may be harder to know when ovulation occurs.
To calculate the fertile period, simply subtract 14 days from the number of days in the cycle. For example, in a woman who has a 32-day cycle, if she subtracts 14 days, she gives 18, which means that ovulation occurs on the 18th day after the first day of menses. The fertile period is then the period of time which comprises the 3 days before and 3 days after ovulation, ie between day 15 and day 21.
In this way, the woman who is trying to get pregnant should have maximum intercourse during this period.
Watch the following video and see an example of how to calculate the fertile period of a woman with a 28-day cycle:
To make it easier, you can use our calculator to know what your fertile period is:
