Fertile Period: When is My Fertile Window?

Dr. Dunn A. (M.B.B.S) - Written or Reviewed on January 7th, 2017 in Pregnancy, Women Discharge, Women Fertility, Women Health

Last updated on May 30th, 2019 at 07:19 pm

Fertile window (also called fertile period) are 6 days within your menstrual cycle that you can easily get pregnant.

If you’re serious about getting pregnant or preventing it, then you must understand your fertile days. This is because intercourse during this time will get you pregnant.

The first step to know your best days to get pregnant is understanding ovulation. If you don’t know when you ovulate, then you should read this guide on ovulation and how to know your fertile mucus.

What is fertile window?

Fertile window is the 6 possible days in your menstrual cycle that you can easily get pregnant. It is usually calculated with lifespan of the egg and sperm. Normal sperm has a life span of about 5 days. While normal ovum or egg has a lifespan of 24 hours. This means that if you have intercourse 5 days before ovulation, you can still get pregnant.

Your fertile window is therefore 5 days before you ovulate and one day after.

Some terms used to calculate your fertile days

Before we go into how to calculate ovulation and fertile days, let me explain some terms.

LMP (Last menstrual period)

This is the first day of the last time you saw your period. For example, if your period lasted for 5 days and ended on the 15th of march 2014. your LMP is 10th of march 2014.

Menstrual cycle

This is the difference in days between 2 of your period. It is also the difference between 2 of your LMP. How to calculate you menstrual cycle? If you already know your LMP, then you have to wait for your next period. The difference between your LMP and The next LMP is your menstrual cycle length.

For example, if your LMP is 15th march 2014, and you notice your next period in 14th of April 2014, then your menstrual cycle is about 30 days.

However, the length of your menstrual cycle can be affected by emotional stress, drugs, chronic (long term) illness and academic activities.

Whats the normal menstrual cycle? If then length of your cycle is between 21 to 35 days then its normal.

Period or menstruation

This is the cyclical bleeding that comes out of your vagina every month. It is due to hormone changes in your body. Normal period should last between 3 to 7 days.

Ovulation

This is also a cyclical process during your menstrual cycle where the ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tubes for fertilization. If you do not ovulate, you cannot get pregnant.

When is my fertile window?

You already know your fertile days are within your menstrual cycle. So how can you detect your fertile days?

Your cervical mucus

The first day of your menstrual cycle is the first day of your period. After your period, your vagina becomes dry and then you will notice thick white discharge coming out.

As you get closer to the middle of your menstrual cycle, your thick discharge becomes creamy white or milky white discharge that is sticky and without smell. This type of discharge is not very fertile as it is difficult for sperm to swim through.

Just after your creamy discharge, your discharge becomes stretchy, clear, egg-white and watery. You can easily notice your discharge stretches between your fingers and does not break. This is your ovulation discharge and returns to creamy discharge or thick discharge after ovulation.

Your fertile cervical mucus that indicates your fertile days are

Creamy white discharge (less fertile)
Stretchy egg white (Fertile)
Clear watery discharge (fertile)

Regular intercourse during this type of vaginal discharge can get you pregnant.

Basal body temperature (BBT)

This is another way you can check your fertile window. It gives you clue about when you’re likely to ovulate. Before ovulation, your body temperature is normal. Just before your ovulate, there is a dip in your basal body temperature. After ovulation and due to the effect of progesterone, there is a slight increase of basal temperature by 0.8ºF.

To be able to use your basal temperature, you should monitor your menstrual cycle for months. BBT is your body temperature at rest. It is done early in the morning while you are still on your bed before any activity.

However, it is only very useful after months of regular basal temperature charting.

Ovulation kits and fertility monitors

Ovulation kits is used to predict when ovulation will occur due to surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). During your menstrual cycle, LH surges and reaches its peak about 12 hours before ovulation. A positive test means you’re likely to ovulate soon.

Also, the fertility monitor can predict your fertile days for about 5 day prior to ovulation. Though more expensive, it is a non-invasive way to easily confirm you fertile days.

Ovulation signs and symptoms

If you understand some of your ovulation signs and symptoms, you can know when you ovulate. Symptoms of ovulation include breast pain, mood changes, ovulation cramps or pain, brown discharge.

How can i get pregnant in my fertile window?

Now you know how to calculate your fertile days, you can easily get pregnant by having regular intercourse every 2 to 3 days within your fertile period. It is easier to get pregnant if you’ve had intercourse before your ovulation.

The most fertile time to get pregnant is 48 to 72 hours before ovulation and 24 hours after ovulation. Having intercourse during this time will increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Easy example to make you understand your fertile days

Here is an examples to help you understand how to calculate your fertile days easily.

Question

Mrs Beric saw her period on the 14th of march 2015 and currently started see her period today, the 13th of April 2015. She has a regular 30 day cycle. When is her fertile window?

Answer.

Ovulation, which is the release of egg from the dominant follicle in the ovary occurs about 14 days before your next period. This is fairly constant in women. Since her menstrual cycle is regular, she should see her next period by 12th or 13th of May.

What is her fertile window?

Now subtract 14 days from 13th of may, you will get 29th or 28th of April. She is expected to ovulate on the 29th of April.

Your fertile window is usually 5 days before ovulation and a day after ovulation. Therefore, between 24th to 29th of April is her fertile days.

Please note:

You cycle may not always be regular. It could be affected by emotions and stress.
All women do not ovulate at the same time. While some women may experience early ovulation or late ovulation.
Most women will start seeing their period 14 to 16 days after ovulation. This is fairly constant. However, regular charting of your menstrual cycle to know its length, is vital to calculate your fertile period.

FAQs about fertile period and days

These are some commonly asked questions that may concern you. Do you have a question for me? Let me know. Comment below or send me an email.

What does it mean when a woman is fertile?

A woman is fertile when she can get pregnant after intercourse. If you have intercourse during your fertile period, you’re likely to get pregnant.

What does it mean to be fertile and ovulating?

Being fertile means you can get pregnant. Your fertile days or period is between 5 days prior to ovulation and 1 day after it. Ovulation means that your ovary releases egg into your fallopian tube where fertilization can take place. If you’re fertile and ovulating, then you can easily get pregnant.

When are your most fertile

Your fertile window last about 6 days. 5 days before and 1 day after ovulation. However, you are most fertile 48 hours before ovulation and 24 hours after you’ve ovulated.

Can you only get pregnant when you ovulate?

Yes. Without ovulation, there is no other natural way to get pregnant. Other ways to get pregnant involves use of in-vitro fertilization but its expensive and has some side effects.

What are my fertile days after period or menstruation?

Your fertile days after your period is dependent on your menstrual cycle. If your cycle is regular 28 days cycle, then you are likely to ovulate about a week after your period ends. Your fertile window is the best time to get pregnant after period.

Can you get pregnant on your fertile days?

Yes. If you have intercourse during your fertile period, you have a high chance of getting pregnant. If you are trying to prevent pregnancy, then you should avoid intercourse during this period.

What is fertile window symptoms and meaning?

Some of the symptoms of ovulation period are

Cervical mucus change with stretchy, egg-white watery discharge that does not break when stretched between your fingers.
Breast pain
Ovulation cramps or pain
Soft and high cervix in your vagina

Fertile window vs ovulation: Whats the difference?

Fertile window is 6 days during your menstrual cycle that you can get pregnant while ovulation is the process when your ovaries releases one or multiple eggs into the fallopian tubes. Understanding ovulation and fertile mucus is the first step to get pregnant or prevent it.

Now its your turn. Do you have problems calculating your fertility period after menstruation? or are you still confused about your ovulation symptoms?

Let us help you. You can use the Medplux fertile days calculator.