Question

Sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for six days, but they need to have 10 hours after ejaculation to undergo capacitation. Ovulation typically occurs on day 14 of a woman's menstrual cycle. An ovulated egg can survive only up to 24 hours if it is not fertilized. Given this information, what days of a woman's sexual cycle would be a window of opportunity for an egg to be fertilized?

Answer 1

The 'fertile window’ are the days in a woman’s menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible. The ‘fertile window’ depends on the length of the menstrual cycle, which varies among women.

The ‘fertile window’ is the day an egg is released from the ovary (ovulation) and the five days beforehand. Having intercourse during this time provides the best chance of getting pregnant.

Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary. The egg then moves down the fallopian tube where it can be fertilised. If sperm are in the fallopian tube when the egg is released, there is a good chance that the egg will be fertilised, creating an embryo, which can grow into foetus.

Pregnancy is only possible if intercourse has been done during the five days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation. But the most fertile days are the three days leading up to and including ovulation. Having intercourseduring this time provides the best chance of getting pregnant.

By 12-24 hours after ovulation, a woman is no longer able to get pregnant during that menstrual cycle because the egg is no longer in the fallopian tube.