Ovulation can be confusing and complicated. There are so many things to keep track of! But it’s important to know the details, whether or not you want to get pregnant. You might also be wondering if the rumors you’ve heard are true. Here is the truth of 5 popular ovulation myths.
1. You Ovulate On The Same Day Every Month
False. An average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. So, if you ovulate on the dot, you would be ovulating 2 or 3 days prior to your ovulation day last month. But the menstrual cycle can actually last anywhere from 21 to 35 days! It also differs from woman to woman. Even then, it can change every month. Everything from stress to sickness can shorten (or extend) a cycle. So, the chances of ovulating on the same day every month are very slim.
2. Bleeding And Ovulation Can Happen At The Same Time
False. Some women may experience mid-cycle spotting around ovulation. But this type of bleeding won’t look anything like a menstrual period.1 The heavier bleeding takes place at the beginning of your cycle – around day 1 to 5 – while ovulation happens in the middle. So you can’t get them together.
3. You Should Have Sex Only On Ovulation Day To Get Pregnant
False. Pregnancy can happen anytime around ovulation, not just on the day of ovulation. The sperm can live for up to 5 days in your body after sex. So the best time to have sex is before your ovulation day so that the sperm can wait in the Fallopian tube for the egg.2
4. You Cannot Get Pregnant On Your Period
False. While pregnancy during period isn’t usual, it depends on the length of your cycle. When your period happens, ovulation is still some time away. So if you have a cycle of 28 days or more, the time between your period and ovulation is longer. Pregnancy is unlikely. But if you have a shorter cycle, that time may be sooner than you think. And since sperm can live for 5 days, there may be a small chance for pregnancy.3
5. You Can Have Your Period While Pregnant
False. When you become pregnant, the egg latches on to your uterine wall. There it grows and develops.4 Remember, your period is the shedding of the uterine wall’s lining.5 So it can’t happen while you’re pregnant. If you do bleed during early pregnancy, it may be spotting or implantation bleeding. It’s not normal to bleed as heavily as during your period in the second and third trimesters – it can indicate a miscarriage.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your gynecologist. Be honest and ask questions. They will be able to explain everything according to your situation.
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