Ovulation is a process which takes place inside the female body. In this process an ovum or an egg is released from the body. The releasing happens when an ovarian follicle in the female body bursts. An ovarian follicle is one of the basic units involved in female reproduction. They are circular collection of cells found in the ovary. An ovarian follicle contains a single egg or oocyte. The eggs develop periodically and result in the process of ovulation. The eggs develop once in a menstrual cycle or once in a month in case of humans.
The period of ovulation in humans happens when the activity of the hormones in the female body reach a peak. Ovulation needs around 36 hours to reach completion. One or more eggs are released from the ovaries during the time of the ovulation. Every month roughly 15-20 eggs develop in both the ovaries. The most mature of these eggs is released in to the pelvic cavity. The egg is then swept in to the fallopian tube.
Inside the female body, ovulation takes place 12-16 days before the next period begins. The time of the ovulation depends on the length of the menstrual cycle. Normal length of a menstrual cycle is between 23 and 35 days. In case of a female with a menstrual cycle of 28 days, the ovulation is expected to happen between day 13 and day 15. Most women can feel when the ovulation is imminent.
Lower abdominal pain is a symptom like this. Some women feel only very mild pain while other experience a greater degree of pain. Another sign that indicates imminent ovulation is increase of sexual desire. Ovulation is important for couples who are trying to have a baby because the woman is likely to get pregnant during this time.
The conditions for fertilization (the fusion of the sperm and the egg) are ideal. After the ovulation the egg is ready for fertilization only for 24 hours. After that the egg dies. This is when the membranes inside the uterus which was specially made for the zygote (egg and sperm after fertilization) breaks down. The women get their periods when this process happens.
The membranes, the tissues and the blood are discharged from the body. Ovulation does not take place in all the menstrual cycles. Even if a female has regular periods it is a possibility that she does not ovulate in a month. Painful periods generally indicate ovulation. Even if the periods are painless, ovulation can happen.
