The Apple Women’s Health Study is an unprecedented digital epidemiology research initiative designed to shed light on ovulation and menstrual health.
Each month, women’s ovaries recruit multiple follicles to mature and produce an egg, and eventually one will emerge as the winner and release its contents upon ovulation.
1. You’re not bleeding
Menstrual cycle refers to more than just periods. It’s actually an indicator of your hormones balancing out and functioning optimally, and should be treated as such.
Each month, hormones make an egg in your ovary mature, and prepare the lining of your uterus for possible fertilization by sperm. The few days leading up to and around ovulation are your most fertile days in terms of sperm fertilization.
Your body produces hormones such as estrogen and progesterone to thicken and strengthen the lining of your uterus during menstruation, with fertilized eggs fertilized by sperm fertilizing an egg into pregnancy; otherwise, these same hormones cause it to break down and shed, oftentimes leading to periods.
The follicular phase of your menstrual cycle typically lasts from Day 1 through just before ovulation (Day 14 in an average 28-day cycle). Once in this stage, hormones known as follicle-stimulating hormone will trigger fluid-filled pockets in your ovary to expand further and release an egg into your fallopian tube for release into fallopian tube by follicular release. If sperm fails to fertilize the egg successfully, estrogen and progesterone levels drop swiftly – so if your cycle seems irregular please speak up with healthcare provider immediately to discuss what could be causing it!
2. You’re not experiencing pain
At the beginning of a menstrual cycle, commonly referred to as menses, your uterus sheds its nutrient-rich lining that has built up over the previous month in order to prevent pregnancy if sperm enters it; this period usually lasts 4-7 days. When you ovulate – which releases an egg from an ovary into a fallopian tube for journey towards your uterus where it could potentially meet up with sperm that enters it – if this happens during ovulation sperm can get through and become pregnant (Hawkins and Matzuk 2008).
The next phase in your menstrual cycle is called the luteal phase. At this point, estrogen and progesterone levels increase, increasing estrogen by more than 40% while progesterone drops drastically midway through. If no fertilized egg forms at this point, progesterone drops significantly and will trigger your body to start its hormonal pulsing all over again, in preparation for another ovulation cycle.
At the follicular phase, hormones cause small cysts or follicles in each ovary to proliferate, and then at day 14 in your 28-day menstrual cycle, an increase of hormones called follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone causes one of these follicles to produce a fully mature egg and release it into the fallopian tube – this completes your ovulation.
3. You’re not experiencing cramping
Over Days 1-5, fluid-filled pockets known as follicles will form on your ovaries. As they expand over time, one follicle becomes the potential egg of that cycle’s ovulation. At this point, hormones make the lining of your uterus thick and spongy so if an egg gets fertilized by sperm it has an excellent chance to thrive; otherwise progesterone levels drop precipitating your period.
Through the remainder of the luteal phase, follicles continue to mature and prepare for their eventual release (ovulation). But if fertilization fails or burst occurs unexpectedly, your body may begin shedding this nutrient-rich lining – this period may bring with it pain and cramping.
If your menstrual cycles have become irregular, it is wise to seek professional medical advice about possible causes. A gynecologist or endocrinologist can conduct tests to detect polycystic ovary syndrome or other hormonal conditions which interfere with ovulation – it’s also worth keeping track of your periods as this will allow early identification of issues before they turn into more serious health concerns.
4. You’re not experiencing bloating
If you don’t experience any bloat, that’s a sure sign of healthy hormone levels. FSH hormone stimulates follicle development within your ovaries; once developed, an egg begins to develop within each follicle before levels of estrogen rise and cause your uterus lining to thicken and become thick and spongy, giving fertilized eggs somewhere safe to land when fertilized by sperm.
Once ovulation takes place (on day 14 of your cycle), your ovary releases an egg into your fallopian tube, where it could potentially be fertilized by sperm and implant in the uterus within 24 hours; during this period levels of progesterone and estrogen continue to increase and prepare the womb for pregnancy; otherwise it is reabsorbed back into your body, progesterone levels decrease, uterus lining sheds off, leading to your period.
Ovulation may occur slightly earlier or later than expected depending on factors like health, lifestyle and other considerations. While this usually won’t cause an issue, persistent irregularities could indicate an issue relating to your menstrual cycle such as an issue with nutrition, autoimmune reactions or hormone disorders. If concerned, speak with your healthcare provider as they can recommend blood tests that confirm ovulation.
