The Journal
What Happens After Ovulation? 6 Signs Ovulation Is Over
Dr. Amy Beckley introduces the significance of identifying the conclusion of ovulation for fertility tracking. The blog outlines methods to determine the end of ovulation, emphasising accurate timing for conception. Signs of ovulation completion, such as progesterone rise (detectable through Proov tests), BBT shifts, changes in cervical mucus, decreased libido, breast sensitivity, and negative ovulation predictor kits, are discussed. The blog concludes with insights into implantation and the uniqueness of each fertility journey. Thanks, Amy, for this insightful piece! Written by: Dr. Amy Beckley Dr. Amy Beckley, PhD, Founder and Inventor of the Proov test the first and only FDA-cleared test to confirm successful ovulation at home. Ovulation, or the one time in your menstrual cycle that your ovaries release an egg, is the main event if you’re trying to conceive or tracking your menstrual health! Especially if you’re trying to time intercourse to conceive, it’s important to know when ovulation is so you can, well, “try.” There are plenty of ways to tell when ovulation is coming–cervical mucus, tracking your LH surge or oestrogen rise, or even just estimating using an ovulation calculator or period tracker app. But how do you know when ovulation is over, and the two week wait before you can take a pregnancy test begins? Fortunately, there are a number of signs, just like there are to predict ovulation. We’ll go over some of our favourites below, so keep on reading! How Can You Tell Ovulation is Over? First, to tell that ovulation is over, it’s helpful to know when ovulation might have begun! Ovulation occurs roughly in the middle of your menstrual cycle, at the end of the follicular phase when oestrogen is highest. High oestrogen will trigger a surge of luteinizing hormone, that signals to the ovaries that it’s time to release an egg. Ovulation will begin 12-36 hours following the LH surge, and the egg will live 12-24 hours after that. If fertilization by a sperm is going to occur, it will be during that time. For that reason, it’s useful to know when ovulation is over (and how many days after ovulation you can get pregnant). Since sperm only live 3-5 days in the female reproductive tract, timing intercourse correctly can be an important part of achieving pregnancy. If you stop trying too early, you might miss ovulation entirely. Or if you start trying too late, you may risk the egg dying before sperm have a chance to make it to the fallopian tube. After the egg is released, the leftover follicle will become the corpus luteum, a special organ that makes progesterone. As this progesterone begins to rise, there are many changes and symptoms that help you determine that the fertile window is closed. Signs Ovulation is Over 1. Progesterone Rise or Positive PdG Test Progesterone rising is the most direct symptom of ovulation, and it triggers all the other changes! You can detect progesterone rise via its urine marker, PdG, which will help you determine that ovulation is over. The easiest way to do this is with Proov Confirm PdG tests or Proov Complete Multihormone tests. Especially with Proov Complete, you’ll get to detect your PdG rise as it happens after an LH surge. This will also help you get a jump start on tracking the implantation window, which is 7-10 days after ovulation. During the implantation window, you’ll want to test for elevated, sustained PdG to make sure you ovulated successfully. (More on that here). 2. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Shift Another popular way to confirm ovulation is using Basal Body Temperature. Progesterone rising causes your core body temperature to rise, so by taking your temperature first thing every morning or using a wearable like Tempdrop, you can determine when you ovulated. Look for three temperatures that are higher than the previous six! 3. Cervical Mucus Changes Oestrogen rising during the fertile window will cause your cervical mucus to become stretchy, clear, and slippery. On the flip side, when oestrogen begins to decline and progesterone rises after ovulation, your cervical mucus will dry up again. When you notice this dry up, it’s a clue that you’ve probably just ovulated or you’re currently ovulating. A few days after, you can conclude that ovulation probably happened. 4. Libido Decreases If you’ve been tracking ovulation, you may have noticed that your libido increases around that time. This is due to high oestrogen and testosterone, and hopefully helps make “trying” a little easier! After ovulation, it’s typical for libido to decrease again during the luteal phase. 5. Breast Sensitivity or Tenderness While breast sensitivity or even pain can occur at many times in the cycle, many people find that it happens starting at ovulation. If you notice breast changes or tenderness and track it, you may find that it’s around ovulation, and this will give you a general signal that you may be ovulating. This is one of the less reliable signs of ovulation, so you’ll want to pair it with a more reliable method of tracking ovulation. 6. Negative Ovulation Predictor Kits or Positive Pregnancy Test Ovulation Predictor Kits/LH tests will help you find your peak fertility, but they can also be used to help close the fertile window. Since ovulation happens 12-36 hours after the LH surge, if you count two days after your positive LH test, ovulation is likely over or will be soon. If you keep testing, you’ll likely have 1-2 days of positive LH tests and then they’ll become negative. While LH patterns vary and this doesn’t work for everyone, having negative LH tests after a positive is a good signal that ovulation is over. Finally, the clearest sign that you ovulated successfully is pregnancy! If you’re missing your period or it’s been 12-16 days on average since you ovulated, it may be time to test for pregnancy. With Proov Check, you can also test for pregnancy up to five days before your missed period. How Implantation Varies Among Individuals If you’ve confirmed ovulation, your next important cycle milestone is the implantation window! This happens 7-10 days after ovulation, when a newly fertilized egg has the opportunity to implant in the uterine lining. For successful implantation, you need sustained and elevated progesterone (which you can test with PdG). Implantation may come with symptoms, but it’s different for everyone. Some people may experience implantation bleeding, breast tenderness, even early pregnancy symptoms. Some won’t have any symptoms at all, and that’s ok too! The most important thing is to remember that everyone’s fertility journey is different.
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Chances of Getting Pregnant on Ovulation Day
Dr. Amy Beckley, Founder of Proov test, underscores the importance of precise timing for conception, particularly on ovulation day. The blog stresses the brief window for fertilisation post-ovulation and advocates for early attempts leading up to ovulation day. It provides statistics on day-specific pregnancy probabilities based on intercourse timing. The blog advises on identifying ovulation through hormonal shifts, ovulation tests, and alternative tracking methods. It highlights the significance of confirming ovulation with PdG tests like Proov Confirm or Proov Complete, enhancing pregnancy chances during the implantation window. Thanks, Proov, for this insightful piece! Written by: Dr. Amy Beckley If you’re trying to conceive, you may know by now how important timing is. After all, timing intercourse around ovulation is critical to conception. As you move through the different phases of your cycle, your chances of getting pregnant change as well. Understanding the chances of getting pregnant throughout your cycle — especially your chances of conceiving on ovulation day — may be the key to your success! What are the chances of getting pregnant on ovulation day? It’s no secret that in order to get pregnant, egg and sperm need to meet. An egg is only released during ovulation, about midway through your cycle. Once an egg has been released, they can only survive for 12-24 hours. That means sperm has a really short amount of time in which it can fertilize the egg. Additionally, his sperm needs some time to swim all the way through your reproductive system to reach the egg. Because of both of these factors, the chances of getting pregnant on ovulation day are about 20%. You may be surprised by how low that number is — we sure were! The good news is that ovulation day is not the only day each cycle when it’s possible to get pregnant. What are the chances of getting pregnant before or after ovulation? You may wonder, can you get pregnant before ovulation? Not quite, but, while eggs can only live for no more than a day after ovulation, sperm can actually have a much longer life span. Healthy sperm may survive in your reproductive tract for up to 5 days. In fact, having intercourse during the few days leading up to ovulation can help ensure the sperm is ready and waiting for the egg once ovulation occurs. You should start “trying” ideally up to 3 days before ovulation actually occurs. Here are the day-specific pregnancy probabilities based on the day of intercourse: 3 days before ovulation: 27% 2 days before ovulation: 33% 1 day before ovulation: 41% Day of ovulation: 20% 1 day post ovulation: 8% You’ll see that the probability of pregnancy significantly drops on the day of and day after ovulation. Waiting too late in your cycle may hurt your chances of conception. This is why understanding your cycle and knowing when you’re ovulating is so important! How do I know when I'm ovulating? Ovulation typically occurs about midway through your cycle. If you have a regular cycle — meaning the number of days between each period is consistent — you may be able to guess when ovulation will occur or simply time intercourse just before the middle of your cycle. However, not everyone has a regular cycle and ovulation can vary by a day or two even in those with regular cycles. This is where tracking your cycle becomes important. Changes in our fertility hormone levels prepare the body for and trigger ovulation each cycle. Understanding and monitoring these hormone shifts is the most tried and true way to know when you’re ovulating. At-home ovulation tests most often measure luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. A dramatic increase in LH (also called a “surge”) is what triggers the ovary to release the egg. Ovulation should occur about 12-36 hours after an LH surge. That means a positive ovulation test (which indicates an LH surge) identifies your 2 most fertile days each cycle. But, as we know, there are a few more days each cycle when you can be fertile. Another hormone, oestrogen, rises even before LH as your body gears up for ovulation. Ovulation tests that measure oestrogen (or its urine marker, E1G) and LH, like Proov Complete, provide even more fertile days each cycle. That way you have the maximum amount of time to try! (PSST! Complete can provide up to 6 fertile days; that's 4 more than the average ovulation test.) While directly measuring your hormone levels with tools like ovulation tests are the best way to track your cycle and know when you’re ovulating, there are a few other ways to predict ovulation. Here are just a few: Calendar-based apps or period trackers: Calendar-based apps or period trackers approximate your ovulation day by using data you fed them during previous cycles. They may get it right if your period is like clockwork, but often don’t work well for people who have irregular periods. Cervical mucus monitoring: Monitoring changes in cervical mucus is one of the oldest ovulation tracking methods, completely free and easy to do. As oestrogen rises and you approach the LH surge, your vaginal discharge turns into an egg-white, stretchy mucus that is sperm friendly. Note that semen leftovers may be mistaken for fertile cervical mucus and dehydration can impact cervical mucus production. Mittelschmerz: Mittelschmerz is a lower pelvic (usually one-sided) pain, associated with ovulation. Some women can swear they know when they release an egg, and they probably do. The problem is that lower pelvic pain may occur for several reasons and this makes it a rather unreliable marker for the prediction of ovulation. A positive ovulation test means I ovulated, right? Not quite! Remember that ovulation tests measure LH which surges right before ovulation should occur. While an LH surge is a fairly reliable indicator that ovulation is approaching, it doesn’t actually tell you if you have ovulated. In fact, many women, especially those with PCOS, postpartum, or in perimenopause may experience either several LH peaks or high LH levels throughout their cycle. The only way to know if ovulation actually occurred is to confirm it, with a PdG test like Proov Confirm or a test that measures PdG like Proov complete. PdG is only released after ovulation occurs and is necessary for preparing the body for implantation and pregnancy. If you want to increase your chances of pregnancy during ovulation even more, you’ll want to test your PdG levels during the implantation window. A recent clinical study showed that elevated PdG levels during the implantation window can increase pregnancy rates by up to 75%!* While the chances of getting pregnant on ovulation day are lower than on other days, using the right tools and timing intercourse just before ovulation day can help increase your chances of pregnancy.
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5 Healthy Benefits of Ashwagandha
The blog highlights five key health benefits of Ashwagandha, an increasingly popular adaptogenic herb. It emphasizes the herb's ability to support adrenal glands, reducing stress and anxiety, and normalizing cortisol levels. Ashwagandha's positive impact on energy, stamina, and endurance, particularly in athletic performance, is discussed. The herb's role in stabilizing blood sugar levels, combating neurodegenerative diseases, and its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties are also emphasized. Overall, Ashwagandha emerges as a versatile and beneficial supplement for various health concerns. Ashwagandha, also known as 'Withania Somnifera' is becoming increasingly popular in the west and is most well known for its ability to reduce stress and promote a calmer and happier sense of being. A growing body of evidence is being collated around this powerful herb with an impressive variety of health benefits. Here are 5 key health benefits of this powerful adaptogenic, Ashwagandha: 1. Supports adrenal glands to reduce stress and anxiety Ashwagandha has been shown to support the adrenals via normalising cortisol levels. This reduces the negative effects of high (or low levels) of this hormone. This is highly significant as ongoing stress can be detrimental to our health. Adrenal function is closely linked to thyroid function, therefore as Ashwagandha supports the adrenal glands, it has an indirect effect on improving thyroid function as well. Initial studies demonstrate ashwagandha’s ability to positively benefit thyroid function by stimulating thyroid hormone activity. 2. Increases energy, stamina and endurance Ashwagandha has been shown to significantly impact athletic performance by improving heart and lung capacity while increasing energy levels. Not only is this useful for the purposes of exercise, it is also helpful for people who struggle with their energy levels or those with fatigue-related conditions. 3. Stabilises blood sugar Ashwagandha has been shown to stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing blood sugar when it's too high or increasing it if too low. This is an example of the herb’s adaptogenic effect. Considering the evidence of the impact on blood sugar levels in diseases such as depression and dementia, this herb can have a profound impact on health. 4. Combats neurodegenerative diseases The active ingredients in Ashwagandha, called withanamides, have shown protective effects against B-amyloid-induced plaques in Alzheimer’s Disease. This is thought to be due to the natural antioxidants found in ashwagandha that scavenge free radicals to prevent cell damage. Studies also show promising results of ashwagandha’s protective effects against Parkinson’s Disease. 5. Immune boosting and anti-inflammatory Ashwagandha has also demonstrated excellent immune-boosting effects on our immune system. It has been shown to encourage anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting immune cells that help to ward off illness. As Ashwagandha has potent anti-inflammatory properties it is very useful in painful conditions such as arthritis. As the herb is rich in iron it also contributes to red blood cell count. Check out our new favourite, Mycologic, a award-winning blend of mushrooms and Ashwagandha for a dose of calm in your day. We love it because you can add a drop to your morning coffee; no more tablets!
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Vitamin D: How much is enough?
This blog delves into the critical importance of Vitamin D for overall health, especially in a region like Northern Europe where sunlight alone may not suffice for its production. Highlighting the prevalence of insufficient Vitamin D levels, the article emphasises the need for supplementation to support the immune system, bones, and teeth. While sunlight and certain foods contribute to Vitamin D intake, the blog stresses that only 10% can be achieved through diet. Rich sources include oily fish, whole-fat dairy, egg yolks, red meat, and fortified foods. Thank you to Wild Nutrition for providing valuable insights into the importance of Vitamin D. 1 in 6 of us in the UK are estimated to have insufficient blood levels of Vitamin D for good health*(1); we simply can’t produce enough of it from the sunshine alone and especially for those of us in Northern Europe. The half-life of this vitamin is 3-6 weeks, so even gathered stores over the summer rapidly decline by the time we get to the deeper winter months. Vitamin D is a major nutrient if you are looking to achieve great health. But with so many of us experiencing low levels and deficiency, we take a deep dive on why we need to supplement and by how much. Vitamin D is a major nutrient if you are looking to support your immune system, bones and teeth. But with so many of us experiencing low levels, and those levels are a challenge to correct with sunlight alone - we take a deep dive on how we can achieve healthy levels through official recommendations on supplementation. How much vitamin D do I need to take? Aside from sunshine helping us with Vitamin D levels, Vitamin D can also be found in food. But only 10 % of intake can be achieved via diet. Vitamin D rich foods include: Oily fish (salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel) Whole-fat dairy Egg yolks Red meat Fortified food Therefore if you don’t eat these foods, or rarely consume them, then you won’t even be getting the 10%. The Department of Health recommends the following guidelines and supplementation for these life stages: Adults Teens Babies & Children Fertility, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Adults' Vitamin D requirements All teens and adults should supplement 10ug (400iu) everyday between October and the Spring (the official month is March but common sense should be applied, since March sunshine ‘quality’ will vary year on year). If over the age of 65, the recommendation is this dose is taken all year around - especially if indoors more, not exposed to consistent sunlight and if experiencing illness. All pregnant, breastfeeding women and at-risk groups (such as people from ethnic minority groups with dark skin, elderly people in care homes and those who wear clothing that cover most of the skin) should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms (400iu) of Vitamin D all year around. However, consider that many people in the UK do not get good access to consistent sunlight due to work (offices) and 'typical British' summer weather (cloudy days and rain). Please speak to a health professional if you feel you need to take additional Vitamin D over the recommended levels and especially if you have received results that show you are below the optimal range or deficient as you may be professionally recommended to supplement with more than 10ug. Vitamin D is essential for a healthy immune system so do consider this if you are experiencing any ongoing challenges to your immune system. Your health professional may be able to discuss bespoke dosing for certain conditions. Teens and Vitamin D Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for developing teens. Research shows low Vitamin D levels are very common in adolescents *(2) which is a concern when at the same time their skeleton grows at the most rapid rate of any other lifestage. Therefore they may be ‘using up’ their Vitamin D levels for their bones but they also require Vitamin D for their immune system. Their developing immune system may fluctuate more than an adult, as they are prone to higher levels of inflammatory cytokines (immune chemicals) *(3). Teens low in Vitamin D should be evaluated for supplementation more like a young adult, and not as a child. It is so often they are viewed nutritionally, incorrectly, as ‘bigger children’. Vitamin D in babies and children All babies from birth up to one year of age should take 8.5 to 10 micrograms (340iu to 400iu) of vitamin D per day (particularly those being breastfed). Babies fed infant formula will not need vitamin drops until they are receiving less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, as these products are fortified with vitamin D. Children between the age of one and four should take 10 micrograms of vitamin D (400iu) supplements all year round. Bear in mind babies and toddlers (and older children) who do not consume Vitamin D rich foods and ask for support on this topic from a health professional. Vitamin D in fertility, pregnancy & breastfeeding Official UK government advice is that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, require 400 IU (10ug) of Vitamin D to be supplemented. Please seek advice from a health professional if your current levels are less than optimal or low or deficient and especially so in the colder and darker months of a pregnancy. You are also more at risk for low levels if you spend greater amounts of time indoors (even in the summer), or have darker skin or cover up your skin. If you are already pregnant, you need to make sure you are supplementing at least the officially recommended dose for both your own health and your baby’s health (who draws upon your reserves for its growth and development). If you didn’t know you were supposed to be supplementing Vitamin D in pregnancy, you may need to catch up on dosing quickly - and do seek health professional advice on this for safe supplementation. NHS testing for pregnant women does not usually happen before your first midwife appointment and sometimes later at around 8 weeks (or a little later around 12 weeks) so if you are concerned, book an appointment with your doctor sooner. If you are not currently pregnant but that is your goal, you need to understand that Vitamin D levels may not be optimal ‘overnight’ so you may need to plan with supplementation and knowing your Vitamin D levels in advance of a pregnancy. The nutrition preparations you make in the preconception phase are an important part of supporting a healthy immune system and bones and teeth during pregnancy. We recommend getting your levels tested (blood test). If you are undergoing assisted fertility such as IVF we recommend getting your levels checked in advance of the start of any procedures or medical treatments. Please note that some fertility clinics do not check Vitamin D levels as standard so please request this or check with your normal GP, IVF clinic or other official Vitamin D test provider. Breastfeeding women are giving some of their Vitamin D away via their milk so supplementation is key. Even if you don’t breastfeed, consider supplementation - especially if you have newly given birth when you are at risk of nutrient deficiencies due to the nature of experiencing a delivery (blood loss, more requirement to heal, impacts to the immune system through lack of sleep or broken sleep). Should we supplement with Vitamin D? As we’ve already established, sunshine is arguably not a reliable source of vitamin D. This is partly due to needing sufficient solar radiation, depending on the season and there are associated risks of skin ageing and cancer. Notably, all of Europe gets insufficient UVB intensity during the months November to the end of March. UVB rays need to be strong enough to result in Vitamin D manufacturing. This all results in minimal skin production of vitamin D during the winter season, independent of age. As we also covered, food is not an optimal source although we encourage all to consume Vitamin D rich foods to support a healthy diet. But for those who cannot eat those foods due to allergies, religious preference or personal dietary ethics are then relying on sunshine and supplementation to maintain good levels. A study conducted showed that Food-Grown® Vitamin D (the special Vitamin D we use in all our products) includes both the ‘stored’ (25-hydroxy) and biologically ‘active’ (1-25 hydroxy) forms of vitamin D3. This means our Food-Grown Vitamin D is the same form as that produced from exposure to sunlight. Can I get Vitamin D through a window? It's worth noting that whilst you can get a tan through glass, you cannot access the special UVB rays you need to produce Vitamin D. What about Vitamin D toxicity? Vitamin D toxicity is rare. A person would need to be taking very large doses over a longer period of time. The real modern risk or ‘epidemic’ is Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. If you are at all concerned, speak to your health care provider. In terms of what is the right dose for you, we always recommend speaking to an expert and do consider getting your levels checked. Here's our top picks for supplementing Vitamin D this winter: Vitamin D Oral Spray from Zita West Vitamin D capsules from Wild Nutrition You can also check your levels here. Silex Vitamin D test.
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In The Press
Simplify Your Fertility Tracking with Tempdrop
Take the guesswork out of cycle tracking with Tempdrop, the smart wearable thermometer that fits seamlessly into your routine. Designed to learn your unique patterns, it provides accurate, reliable insights without the hassle of early wake-ups or daily charts.
