In some cycles, it’s possible for both ovaries to release an egg cell. This is called multiple ovulation or hyperovulation. When both eggs are fertilized, fraternal twins are conceived.
When does multiple ovulation happen?
Multiple ovulation always happens in a short window, within the 24-hour window of ovulation day. After this, levels of the hormone progesterone rise, which inhibits ovulation and prepares the body for a potential pregnancy.
What causes multiple ovulation?
There are a few things that can cause multiple ovulation to happen:
- Recent use of hormonal birth control. Hormonal birth control often works by stopping ovulation. When you come off hormones, you are more likely to experience multiple ovulations as the body readjusts.
- Genetics. Some people are genetically prone to multiple ovulations and will carry the gene for this. For these people, it can be common to have fraternal twins running on the mother’s side of the family.
- Medical conditions. Having certain medical conditions such as PCOS can also lead to multiple ovulations. If ovulation is skipped in a cycle, the next cycle may have multiple ovulations.
- Fertility treatments. Some fertility treatments can cause multiple ovulations as hormones are given to cause multiple ovulations.
Can Natural Cycles tell if I had multiple ovulations?
The algorithm cannot detect multiple ovulations as the temperature rise that comes after ovulation will be the same whether one or multiple eggs are released, so you will not know if there has been multiple ovulations.
Regardless of the number of eggs released, the algorithm allocates at least one red day after your ovulation is confirmed. Most often, you need several days of high temperatures for the algorithm to confirm ovulation and give you green days, by which time the egg (or eggs) have deteriorated and can no longer be fertilized.
Read more about ovulation here.