Can I ovulate during my period?
No, you can’t ovulate during menstruation. In fact, most are not fertile during this time. However, some may experience spotting around ovulation: this is very light bleeding different from menstruation. You can read more about spotting here.
Can I get pregnant while on my period?
Most can’t get pregnant while on their periods, and, as covered above, it is not possible to ovulate while on your period. However, in some cases where cycle length is very short, the fact that sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days means there is a chance–if they ovulate very early in their cycle–that the sperm and egg could still meet after you’ve had sex on your period. Read the full post on whether you can get pregnant on your period here.
How long does an average period last?
Our data tells us that most Cyclers bleed for between 1 - 4 days. However, this varies from person to person and can change from cycle to cycle too. Remember to log your period in the app every day that you bleed. You can also add the level of flow, alongside any symptoms you regularly experience in your cycle. You can view your average period length in the 'My Cycle' tab on the app.
When does ovulation occur during the cycle?
According to our data, ovulation most often occurs on Cycle Day 18. Of course, this can also vary from woman to woman and cycle to cycle. In 'My Cycle,' you can see exactly when your ovulation most often occurs. Remember that many factors can affect your cycle, such as stress.
Tracking how you’re feeling is a great way to learn the pattern of your unique cycle. Read more on stress and the menstrual cycle here.
Will the algorithm take early ovulation into account?
Early ovulation is taken into account in calculating red and green days, particularly when the algorithm is still learning your cycle when you first join Natural Cycles.
The algorithm adds a buffer as a safety margin while calculating red and green days around the fertile window. This buffer is more extensive during the first 3 cycles of use and reduces if cycles are regular after that, potentially giving you more green days in later cycles. While the algorithm learns your cycle, this buffer helps protect against potential early ovulation. Should your cycle continue to be irregular (your ovulation day moves considerably from cycle to cycle), the buffer will remain, and you may experience a higher number of red days than users with regular cycles.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.