How long does it take to ovulate

For women, ovulation occurs after the ovaries mature. The ovulation period is usually between two menstrual periods. Because the symptoms in the body are relatively mild, we cannot judge the ovulation period by the physical condition. You can only calculate according to your own menstrual period. So how long does ovulation take? Generally speaking, a woman's ovulation period is about 3-7 days.

The exact mechanisms and details of ovulation are not well understood. However, before and after ovulation, the feedback regulation reaction between FSH, LH, estrogen and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secreted by the hypothalamus in the body leads to regular and drastic changes in hormone levels before ovulation, which is the inducement for ovulation and the formation of corpus luteum after ovulation. It has been observed that three hormone peaks play an important role in the occurrence of ovulation: the first estrogen peak occurs, inducing an increase in GnRH release, thereby triggering the almost synchronous secretion peaks of LH and FSH. In the process of inducing ovulation, FSH and LH must work synergistically. Only when a certain ratio of FSH and LH work together can ovulation be effectively induced. When LH is used alone to induce ovulation, all the follicles recruited by the ovaries will rupture. When a certain ratio of FSH and LH is used to induce ovulation, only mature follicles will rupture and ovulate. The exact mechanism by which this phenomenon occurs is unclear.

(1) Decreased follicle wall tension

Before ovulation, the pituitary gland secretes more LH, which can promote the secretion of progesterone. The latter prompts the ovaries to synthesize a variety of enzymes, which denature the proteoglycans that act as adhesion between the collagen fibers in the top tissue of the mature follicle, thereby reducing the tension of the follicle wall.

(2) Enzyme dissolves the follicle wall

It has been proven that there are proteolytic enzymes, amylase, collagenase, hyaluronidase, etc. in follicular fluid. Therefore, it is believed that ovulation is caused by the above enzymes dissolving and rupturing the follicle wall, leading to ovulation.

(3) Related to prostaglandins

LH can promote the synthesis of prostaglandins by granulosa cells, and the PG content in mature follicles increases progressively as ovulation approaches. PG2α can promote the contraction of smooth muscle fibers in the interstitial tissue surrounding the follicle, causing the follicle to rupture and ovulate.