How long does the fertile period last

The fertile period lasts about 6 days and usually happens between 10 to 14 days after the first day of menstruation, in women who have a 28-day menstrual cycle, which is considered regular.

This period is considered fertile because it is when ovulation occurs, which consists of the release of the egg by the ovary, making it available to be fertilized by a sperm, 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 span of the egg is approximately 1 day.

For example, if a woman has intimate contact on the 5th, and if this 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 may result in the conception of a baby.

How to calculate the fertile period?

Ovulation occurs 14 days before menstruation, and usually, in women with a 28-day cycle, it happens in the middle. However, many women have shorter or longer cycles, and in these cases, it may be more difficult 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 cycle of 32 days, if you subtract 14 days, it gives 18, which means that ovulation takes place on the 18th day from the first day on which the menstruation started. The fertile period is then the period of time that comprises the 3 days before and 3 days after ovulation, that is, between the 15th and the 21st.

Therefore, a woman who is trying to conceive should have as much sex as possible during this period.