What is early ovulation?
Early ovulation is when an egg is released from an ovary earlier than is expected in an average cycle. Early ovulation may occur due to several factors such as stress or a shorter menstrual cycle.
What counts as a shorter cycle?
Cycle lengths vary from person to person and cycle to cycle as we are all unique. However, a shorter cycle is considered a cycle that lasts 21 days or fewer. For a Cycler with a shorter cycle, ovulation will occur earlier since the entire cycle is shorter. Usually, ovulation occurs roughly 10-16 days before the next period (this is the luteal phase), but it's individual for everyone. For example, someone with a shorter cycle may ovulate on cycle days 7-10. The algorithm takes cycle length and regularity into consideration when allocating red and green days. If you have a shorter cycle, you may get red days earlier on in your cycle (potentially while still on your period).
Stress and ovulation
Stress can affect the menstrual cycle leading to early or delayed ovulation. It’s also common for stress to cause an anovulatory cycle (where no ovulation occurs at all). With this in mind, it’s important to always check your fertility status for each day while always using condoms or abstaining on red days. The prediction view can be useful but should not be viewed as a fertility status since predictions are subject to change as you journey through your cycle and add data.
From finding a routine, to keeping a journal – there are a few things you can try to manage stress levels throughout your cycle. You’ll know what works best for you, but several features in the app can also help. Try logging pain and emotions to see if there are patterns in your cycle and if these are impacted by stress. You can also use the notes feature to document how you feel on any given day.
I used hormonal contraception previously – can this affect my ovulation?
It’s normal to experience cycle irregularities after using hormonal birth control. In fact, your cycle may be irregular for up to a year after you switch. During this time, ovulation can occur both early and later in the cycle, or you may experience anovulatory cycles. Until your cycle becomes regular, you will likely experience an increased number of red days in the beginning, as your ovulation is less predictable. After ovulation is detected and confirmed, the algorithm will then allocate green days.
Delayed and early ovulation a pregnancy
Your cycle may be irregular after pregnancy, as well as during and after breastfeeding. This means that ovulation may occur earlier or later than usual in the cycle. It’s for this reason that Natural Cycles gives a higher number of red days after pregnancy. You can expect green days to increase as your cycle becomes regular again. Remember, the algorithm will always give green days after ovulation is detected, regardless of irregular cycles or breastfeeding.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.