Most often a woman would like to know when she is most fertile because she is planning on getting pregnant. However, the reverse is often true as well! Sometimes a woman wants to know when she is most fertile in order not to get pregnant. In either case, it is necessary to understand the menstrual cycle in order to answer the question, when is a woman most fertile? Once you understand fertility in terms of menstruation you can take the necessary steps to get pregnant, or avoid getting pregnant, as the case may be. And from there, you can even try to naturally determine the sex of your baby naturally!
The Truth About Menstruation
For a great number of years it was held that because a woman’s menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days long that she was at her most fertile around the 14th day after the onset of her period. Actually, this isn’t always the case, although under ‘normal’ circumstances it should be. The truth about menstruation is that not all women ovulate at the same time in their cycle. Some women’s eggs drop into the fallopian tubes as soon as 8 or 10 days after ovulation while other women ovulate as late as one week prior to the onset of their periods. Because of this vast difference in the time of ovulation among women, it is necessary to accurately determine exactly where in the menstrual cycle you, personally, ovulate to increase your chances (or decrease!) of getting pregnant.
Understanding Ovulation
There are a number of ways to determine when a woman ovulates. Of course, ovulation is when the egg has dropped down from the ovary into the fallopian tube and this is the time when she is most fertile. The egg is sitting there waiting for the sperm to reach it. If this doesn’t happen, it starts dying and the body expels it through menstruation. Unfortunately, the egg won’t sit there for a long time waiting to be fertilized. The egg will live approximately 24 to 48 hours, 72 at best. However, keep in mind that this is not always the time to have intercourse! The sperm would never reach it on time. (This will be discussed in more detail a bit later.)
Best Methods for Determining Ovulation
Now then, many women take their basal temperature over a few months’ time to see when they are most fertile. A slight decrease in body temperature followed by a sharp increase signals ovulation. Basal temperatures should be taken every morning upon awakening and before the woman gets out of bed. There are also a number of OTC test kits on the market that test for increased amounts of luteinizing protein in the urine that can also help to determine when ovulation occurs. Also, there is a change in cervical mucus that comes about during ovulation. There is an increased amount of cervical discharge as well as a change in consistency. Any of these methods can be used, but for the most accurate results it is suggested that women use a combination of as many as possible.
A Woman’s Most Fertile Days
This is a question that seems to confuse the majority of people because the answer isn’t always as simple as determining the day during the month when ovulation occurs. If you are asking "When is a woman most fertile?" you need to understand that the egg is alive in the fallopian tube for just a short period of time. The most fertile days are during ovulation, but only if the sperm can get there in time to fertilize it! Consequently, the most fertile days are determined by coordinating the timing of the sperm cells reaching the egg! When trying to get pregnant, it is imperative to also understand how sperm cells travel and how long it takes them.
Fertility and Determining the Sex of the Baby
If you are trying to get pregnant with a specific gender, then take a moment to consider the journey of the sperm cells through the vagina and uterus to the fallopian tube. Male sperm cells swim much faster and are much stronger. However, they also don’t live as long as female sperm cells. So even though female sperm cells aren’t as strong and can’t swim as fast, they will live longer in the fallopian tube waiting for the egg to drop long after the males have died. Consequently, if you are trying to have a girl, consider the fact that it takes approximately three days for female sperm cells to make their journey whereas it only takes male sperm cells about two days. The end result is, if you want to have a female baby then have intercourse perhaps three to four days prior to ovulation and if you are looking to have a boy then it is best to have intercourse the day before ovulation and/or the day of ovulation. In this way you have the best odds for the sperm cells of the correct gender to reach an egg that is alive and waiting to be fertilized.
Aren’t you glad you asked when is a woman most fertile? It really isn’t as complicated as it sounds; it’s simply a matter of determining when the woman ovulates and from there understanding how long it takes sperm cells to reach the egg. While it isn’t guaranteed that you can predetermine the sex of your baby, and even if fertilization will take place, following the above suggestions can greatly increase the odds
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Your sex drive before, during, and after menopause
Asking a woman about her sex drive and sexual satisfaction is all part of our unique intake questionnaire at Women to Women. Some feel awkward about giving their answers, but most welcome this chance to talk about what’s happening in their bodies, their vitality and their interest in sex. After all, sex is a physical function that’s key to overall wellness. Plus it can make you feel more vital and alive.
During life’s biggest physical and emotional changes — perimenopause, postpartum phases, and menopause — our reproductive hormones can become imbalanced. This is when lots of women first experience low sex drive, fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, and even digestive issues, all common symptoms of fluctuating hormones. These sensations can make you feel like a stranger in your own body — which affects your sexual self too, because when you don’t feel well, your interest in sex may dwindle. That’s why, for many women, feeling better physically is the first step to improving libido.
Women often note other aspects of their lives changing during these transitions as well. Maybe you’re finding the confidence to express yourself more freely and openly, or you’re reflecting on your life, thinking about taking the plunge into new activities. But you may also discover that just as you find your true voice, you’re under greater stress, with rambunctious teenagers in the house, or aging, and even “challenging,” parents to care for. You may be dealing with financial pressures or greater demands at work.
Perimenopause, menopause, and the postnatal months are common times for women to encounter relationship problems, which may or may not encompass sexual issues. Your idea of sex — both what it means and how important it is — may also be in transition.
Changing and evolving, and going with the flow — sexual identity in menopause
We’ve seen “up close and personal” how women’s sexuality evolves throughout their lives. The notion of holding onto youth is an increasingly outdated and limits a woman’s sexual potential, especially as she gets older. Instead, we see sexual identity evolving along a continuum — like a flowing ribbon — and that’s the beauty of it. Once we realize how much easier it is to be who we really are at every age, we’re presented with all sorts of opportunities for fulfillment, fun, and pleasure.
We encourage you to welcome the changes that enrich your sexuality as you transition physically and emotionally during perimenopause and menopause. Understanding the physical changes that are occurring helps you make practical choices, so you can create a sex life that suits you now — one that can be — believe it or not — better than ever.
Some perimenopausal and menopausal women say they are enjoying the “best sex of their lives.” With menopause we’re free of the fear of pregnancy, though women should use some form of birth control until they’ve gone a full year without periods, and practicing safe sex is a necessity. With this new sense of freedom, good sex, even great sex, is a real possibility for all women at midlife and beyond.
Sexual desire: subject to change
A woman’s level of sexual desire is affected by a range of interdependent physical and emotional factors. We delve into the complex emotional aspects of rekindling desire and rebuilding libido in a separate article.
Meanwhile, it makes practical sense to consider the physical aspects, because often they are surprisingly straightforward to address and improve.
When we look at the physical causes of low libido, it’s apparent that most fall under the umbrella of hormonal imbalance. Low libido is commonly accompanied by other symptoms of hormonal imbalance — insomnia, fatigue, night sweats, vaginal dryness, fuzzy thinking. These symptoms can make daily life miserable and can also affect how you perceive yourself. Some women say their symptoms make them feel “old and used up,” as if they’re losing their womanhood. In other words: not very sexy.
But when women get their hormones back in balance, they find relief from unpleasant physical symptoms, and that can significantly increase their sexual desire. (This symptom relief is the focus of our Personal Program for Hormonal Imbalance.)
Physical changes in the vagina that affect libido
At some point in their lives, approximately 50% of women experience thinning, tightening, dryness, and atrophy (a decrease in muscle mass) in the vulva and vagina. These changes can cause irritation, soreness, itching, and severe pain during sex, as well as embarrassing urinary frequency and urgency.
“Genitourinary” changes like these, most common as estrogen levels diminish, can interfere with every aspect of a woman’s life: exercising, sleeping, socializing, and body image, as well as intimate relations with your partner. Women may be so discouraged and frustrated by urogenital aging that they won’t talk about it at all. It even makes some women rule out sex completely.
We advise women to speak to their practitioners at the very first sign of vaginal discomfort. For most women, the situation is not permanent, but you should take action right away in order to help keep your tissues in good shape.
Sometimes these changes are not obvious until a woman undergoes a pelvic examination or attempts to have sex, and unfortunately, the pain can be extreme. But there are effective treatments for vaginal dryness, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Low libido solutions — do hormones or drugs work?
At the clinic, we treat both the symptoms and the underlying causes of vaginal dryness, vaginal thinning, and associated conditions. If symptoms are relatively new or mild, we suggest using vitamin E vaginal suppositories twice weekly. Another option is to add dietary soy, which contains phytoestrogens that promote “plumping” of the tissues and vaginal lubrication. All-natural, over-the-counter vaginal lubricants can greatly reduce friction during intercourse. And to keep the mucous membranes moist, it’s essential to drink plenty of water every day.
For lasting improvement, it’s important to address the root causes of vaginal dryness and associated changes. Even with ovarian estrogen production declining, the body is designed to produce adequate estrogen from secondary sites, such as subcutaneous fat and the adrenal glands, as long as you provide the raw materials and support. Dietary adjustments, nutritional supplements, and targeted endocrine support are key parts of a combination approach to help relieve vaginal dryness and other symptoms that impair a woman’s libido.
Some women simply have less estrogen on board than others, and if symptoms persist, there are many topical estrogen products available for localized application (see our chart on estrogen products for vaginal dryness for options). But you will need to get a prescription from your practitioner whether you choose a brand name or an individualized, compounded product such as low-dose estriol vaginal cream. And if one does not work well, don’t be shy about asking for a different one. Generally, these topically-applied products do not appear to carry the same health risks of oral menopausal hormone therapy.
In the vast majority of cases, urogenital health can be improved. Once the causes are addressed, and the symptoms relieved, regular use of the vaginal muscles during sexual activity will help keep them healthy and toned.
Testosterone and libido: not just for men
Sometimes referred to as “the life-force hormone,” testosterone is fundamental to our sex drive because it influences the entire “circle of sex”: interest, arousal, sexual response, lubrication, and orgasm. Normally, estrogen levels fall relatively quickly in women after menopause, while testosterone levels taper off more slowly. This leaves us comparatively “testosterone dominant” after our change of life, while men trend in the opposite general direction.
But for many possible reasons, some women don’t have “normal” circulating testosterone levels. One of the biggest obstacles to optimal sex hormone production is chronic stress. That’s because when we’re under stress, progesterone, the precursor molecule to testosterone, is converted into stress hormones instead of sex hormones. And over time, this switchover results in lower testosterone levels and reduced libido, among many other possible health problems.
Testosterone production in women is a multi-step process that takes place in both the ovaries and adrenal glands. When ovary-produced hormones decline in perimenopause and menopause, the adrenals can and will take on greater sex-hormone production — if adrenal reserves remain strong. But if a woman has experienced undue stress over the years, her adrenal reserves can be tapped out.
Some women maintain good testosterone production throughout perimenopause and menopause, and with few complaints. They may have better adrenal function and healthier metabolism due to good nutrition and a less stressful lifestyle.
In other women, such as the many thousands who undergo hysterectomy each year, levels of testosterone can be very low or barely detectable. Even women who retain their ovaries may experience this outcome post-hysterectomy, from compromised ovarian circulation. Nearly one in four women enters menopause as a result of surgery or medical treatment that causes her ovaries to lose normal function. This abrupt transition causes sexual issues for millions of women of all ages.
Should you take a prescription to improve your sex drive?
Some women go on prescription testosterone in hopes of experiencing rapid improvement in sex drive and sexual response. But based on experience with over 100,000 patients in the past 25 years, testosterone should only be prescribed after careful, thorough evaluation and testing, to verify the need.
During life’s biggest physical and emotional changes — perimenopause, postpartum phases, and menopause — our reproductive hormones can become imbalanced. This is when lots of women first experience low sex drive, fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, and even digestive issues, all common symptoms of fluctuating hormones. These sensations can make you feel like a stranger in your own body — which affects your sexual self too, because when you don’t feel well, your interest in sex may dwindle. That’s why, for many women, feeling better physically is the first step to improving libido.
Women often note other aspects of their lives changing during these transitions as well. Maybe you’re finding the confidence to express yourself more freely and openly, or you’re reflecting on your life, thinking about taking the plunge into new activities. But you may also discover that just as you find your true voice, you’re under greater stress, with rambunctious teenagers in the house, or aging, and even “challenging,” parents to care for. You may be dealing with financial pressures or greater demands at work.
Perimenopause, menopause, and the postnatal months are common times for women to encounter relationship problems, which may or may not encompass sexual issues. Your idea of sex — both what it means and how important it is — may also be in transition.
Changing and evolving, and going with the flow — sexual identity in menopause
We’ve seen “up close and personal” how women’s sexuality evolves throughout their lives. The notion of holding onto youth is an increasingly outdated and limits a woman’s sexual potential, especially as she gets older. Instead, we see sexual identity evolving along a continuum — like a flowing ribbon — and that’s the beauty of it. Once we realize how much easier it is to be who we really are at every age, we’re presented with all sorts of opportunities for fulfillment, fun, and pleasure.
We encourage you to welcome the changes that enrich your sexuality as you transition physically and emotionally during perimenopause and menopause. Understanding the physical changes that are occurring helps you make practical choices, so you can create a sex life that suits you now — one that can be — believe it or not — better than ever.
Some perimenopausal and menopausal women say they are enjoying the “best sex of their lives.” With menopause we’re free of the fear of pregnancy, though women should use some form of birth control until they’ve gone a full year without periods, and practicing safe sex is a necessity. With this new sense of freedom, good sex, even great sex, is a real possibility for all women at midlife and beyond.
Sexual desire: subject to change
A woman’s level of sexual desire is affected by a range of interdependent physical and emotional factors. We delve into the complex emotional aspects of rekindling desire and rebuilding libido in a separate article.
Meanwhile, it makes practical sense to consider the physical aspects, because often they are surprisingly straightforward to address and improve.
When we look at the physical causes of low libido, it’s apparent that most fall under the umbrella of hormonal imbalance. Low libido is commonly accompanied by other symptoms of hormonal imbalance — insomnia, fatigue, night sweats, vaginal dryness, fuzzy thinking. These symptoms can make daily life miserable and can also affect how you perceive yourself. Some women say their symptoms make them feel “old and used up,” as if they’re losing their womanhood. In other words: not very sexy.
But when women get their hormones back in balance, they find relief from unpleasant physical symptoms, and that can significantly increase their sexual desire. (This symptom relief is the focus of our Personal Program for Hormonal Imbalance.)
Physical changes in the vagina that affect libido
At some point in their lives, approximately 50% of women experience thinning, tightening, dryness, and atrophy (a decrease in muscle mass) in the vulva and vagina. These changes can cause irritation, soreness, itching, and severe pain during sex, as well as embarrassing urinary frequency and urgency.
“Genitourinary” changes like these, most common as estrogen levels diminish, can interfere with every aspect of a woman’s life: exercising, sleeping, socializing, and body image, as well as intimate relations with your partner. Women may be so discouraged and frustrated by urogenital aging that they won’t talk about it at all. It even makes some women rule out sex completely.
We advise women to speak to their practitioners at the very first sign of vaginal discomfort. For most women, the situation is not permanent, but you should take action right away in order to help keep your tissues in good shape.
Sometimes these changes are not obvious until a woman undergoes a pelvic examination or attempts to have sex, and unfortunately, the pain can be extreme. But there are effective treatments for vaginal dryness, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Low libido solutions — do hormones or drugs work?
At the clinic, we treat both the symptoms and the underlying causes of vaginal dryness, vaginal thinning, and associated conditions. If symptoms are relatively new or mild, we suggest using vitamin E vaginal suppositories twice weekly. Another option is to add dietary soy, which contains phytoestrogens that promote “plumping” of the tissues and vaginal lubrication. All-natural, over-the-counter vaginal lubricants can greatly reduce friction during intercourse. And to keep the mucous membranes moist, it’s essential to drink plenty of water every day.
For lasting improvement, it’s important to address the root causes of vaginal dryness and associated changes. Even with ovarian estrogen production declining, the body is designed to produce adequate estrogen from secondary sites, such as subcutaneous fat and the adrenal glands, as long as you provide the raw materials and support. Dietary adjustments, nutritional supplements, and targeted endocrine support are key parts of a combination approach to help relieve vaginal dryness and other symptoms that impair a woman’s libido.
Some women simply have less estrogen on board than others, and if symptoms persist, there are many topical estrogen products available for localized application (see our chart on estrogen products for vaginal dryness for options). But you will need to get a prescription from your practitioner whether you choose a brand name or an individualized, compounded product such as low-dose estriol vaginal cream. And if one does not work well, don’t be shy about asking for a different one. Generally, these topically-applied products do not appear to carry the same health risks of oral menopausal hormone therapy.
In the vast majority of cases, urogenital health can be improved. Once the causes are addressed, and the symptoms relieved, regular use of the vaginal muscles during sexual activity will help keep them healthy and toned.
Testosterone and libido: not just for men
Sometimes referred to as “the life-force hormone,” testosterone is fundamental to our sex drive because it influences the entire “circle of sex”: interest, arousal, sexual response, lubrication, and orgasm. Normally, estrogen levels fall relatively quickly in women after menopause, while testosterone levels taper off more slowly. This leaves us comparatively “testosterone dominant” after our change of life, while men trend in the opposite general direction.
But for many possible reasons, some women don’t have “normal” circulating testosterone levels. One of the biggest obstacles to optimal sex hormone production is chronic stress. That’s because when we’re under stress, progesterone, the precursor molecule to testosterone, is converted into stress hormones instead of sex hormones. And over time, this switchover results in lower testosterone levels and reduced libido, among many other possible health problems.
Testosterone production in women is a multi-step process that takes place in both the ovaries and adrenal glands. When ovary-produced hormones decline in perimenopause and menopause, the adrenals can and will take on greater sex-hormone production — if adrenal reserves remain strong. But if a woman has experienced undue stress over the years, her adrenal reserves can be tapped out.
Some women maintain good testosterone production throughout perimenopause and menopause, and with few complaints. They may have better adrenal function and healthier metabolism due to good nutrition and a less stressful lifestyle.
In other women, such as the many thousands who undergo hysterectomy each year, levels of testosterone can be very low or barely detectable. Even women who retain their ovaries may experience this outcome post-hysterectomy, from compromised ovarian circulation. Nearly one in four women enters menopause as a result of surgery or medical treatment that causes her ovaries to lose normal function. This abrupt transition causes sexual issues for millions of women of all ages.
Should you take a prescription to improve your sex drive?
Some women go on prescription testosterone in hopes of experiencing rapid improvement in sex drive and sexual response. But based on experience with over 100,000 patients in the past 25 years, testosterone should only be prescribed after careful, thorough evaluation and testing, to verify the need.
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