
Bringing new life into the world is a truly special experience, and for women trying to conceive, understanding your menstruation cycle is an important part of the journey. Your cycle isn’t just a monthly routine; it’s a detailed process with several phases, each with its own significance in fertility. Knowing when you ovulate and recognising your most fertile days, or your menstrual cycle fertility window, can improve your chances of conceiving. Understanding these phases helps you plan more effectively and move closer to your goal of pregnancy.
Menstruation Phase (Days 1-7)
Your menstrual cycle begins with the menstruation phase, which lasts anywhere from three to seven days. During this time, your uterus sheds its lining, leading to menstrual bleeding. It’s important to remember that what is shed also consists of tissue and mucus, not just blood alone. This phase signals your body’s start to a new cycle, with hormonal changes preparing your reproductive system for ovulation and the possibility of conception in the weeks ahead.
Follicular Phase (Days 1-14)
The follicular phase starts on the first day of your menstruation cycle and can last until around day 14. Throughout this period, your body releases hormones that signal your ovaries to start developing follicles, each containing an egg. Usually, one follicle becomes dominant as it matures, and this dominant follicle is crucial for conception because it releases the egg during ovulation. Understanding this phase can give you a clearer idea of the beginning of your fertility window, which is especially helpful if you’re tracking your cycle to conceive.
Ovulation (Around Day 14)
Ovulation occurs approximately midway through your menstruation cycle when the mature follicle releases an egg into your fallopian tube, ready for fertilisation. This period, known as your fertility window, is when you’re most likely to conceive. If you’re trying to get pregnant, having intercourse around this time can increase your chances. Common signs of ovulation include mild abdominal cramping, slippery vaginal discharge, a slight rise in basal body temperature, and a heightened sex drive. Fertility tracking for pregnancy involves monitoring these signs over a few months to understand what’s normal for your body. Just remember, ovulation can vary from month to month. If you’re uncertain about your ovulation patterns or have irregular cycles, a fertility test in Singapore could provide more detailed insights to help you plan your journey to conception.
Luteal Phase (Days 15-28)
After ovulation, you enter the luteal phase, which continues until the end of your cycle. Understanding ovulation for conception is crucial because this is when the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which then starts producing progesterone to prepare your uterus for a potential pregnancy. If the egg isn’t fertilised, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone levels drop, and your new menstrual period begins. Knowing this can help you recognise when your cycle restarts and when to expect your next flow, which is vital for tracking your fertility.

Finding the Best Time to Get Pregnant
Comprehending your menstruation cycle and identifying when you are ovulating is essential when trying to conceive. If your cycles are regular, the optimal timing for intercourse for conception is the day before ovulation. However, your fertile window actually spans about five days before ovulation and includes the day of ovulation itself, as sperm can survive in the female body for up to five days, waiting for the egg. Having regular intercourse, roughly every two days during this period can increase your chances of conception.
That said, it’s important not to let conception feel like a chore. Trying to perfectly time intercourse can create unnecessary stress for both partners. Instead, aim to maintain regular intimacy throughout your fertile window. This can help ease any pressure and create a more positive experience as you work towards conception together.
When to Seek Fertility Help
While tracking your menstruation cycle and timing intercourse can be helpful, they don’t guarantee pregnancy for everyone. If you’ve been trying to conceive with regular, unprotected intercourse for over a year without success, it may be time to visit a fertility clinic in Singapore. There could be underlying factors, like hormonal imbalances, physical blockages, or other conditions affecting your fertility. In these situations, getting tested can offer valuable insights and help guide you towards appropriate treatment options.

As we’ve discussed, understanding your menstruation cycle is essential for identifying the best time to conceive. However, if conception has yet to happen within a reasonable timeframe, seeking help from a specialist can offer further support and guidance.
At SMG Women’s Health in Singapore, we’re dedicated to supporting you on your fertility journey. Whether you need help understanding your menstrual cycle or are considering infertility treatments, our team of doctors are here to help.
Schedule an appointment today to take the next step towards parenthood with confidence.