What is multiple ovulation?
In some cycles, it’s possible for both ovaries to release an egg cell. This is called multiple ovulation or hyperovulation. There are a number of causes of multiple ovulation but it can only happen in a short window. When both eggs are fertilized, fraternal twins are conceived.
When does multiple ovulation happen?
Multiple ovulation always happens within the 24-hour window of ovulation day (this is at the end of the follicular phase in the menstrual cycle). After this window, levels of the hormone progesterone rise, this inhibits ovulation and prepares the body for a potential pregnancy.
What causes hyperovulation?
There are a few things that can cause multiple ovulation to happen:
- Hormonal contraception often works by stopping ovulation. When women come off hormones they are more susceptible to hyper ovulation as the body readjusts.
- Some women are genetically prone to multiple ovulation and will carry the gene for this with fraternal twins running on the mother’s side of the family.
- Having certain medical conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) can also lead to hyperovulation. If ovulation is skipped in a cycle, the next cycle may have multiple ovulations.
- Fertility treatments like IVF often cause multiple ovulation as women are given hormones to cause hyperovulation.
Can Natural Cycles tell if I had multiple ovulations?
The algorithm cannot detect hyperovulation as the temperature rise that comes after ovulation will include the release of one or multiple eggs - so you will not know if there have been multiple ovulations.
Regardless of the number of eggs released, the algorithm allocates at least 1 red day after your ovulation is confirmed. Most often, it is your second or third high temperature that confirms ovulation and gives you green days, by which time the egg (or eggs) have deteriorated and can no longer be fertilized. Read more about ovulation here.