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What is Late Ovulation?

Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Generally speaking, late ovulation is ovulation that happens after the 21st day of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Not all women have exactly the same reproductive cycle; some ovulate earlier than others, for instance, and the length of menstrual bleeding can vary, too. Most medical practitioners follow a standard of “normal parameters,” and anything within these loose guidelines is usually considered healthy so long as the patient isn’t experiencing any other problems or issues. That said, ovulation — which is when an egg drops from an ovary and into the uterus for possible fertilization and implantation — typically happens by the 21st day. Anything past this is usually considered late. Late ovulation can be caused by a number of things, including the relatively benign, like stress, and the much more serious, including cysts and cancerous growths. It can impact fertility and can make it a lot more difficult for a woman to become pregnant.

Understanding What’s “Normal”

In order to get pregnant, a woman should try to time intercourse during the four or five days that lead up to ovulation.
In order to get pregnant, a woman should try to time intercourse during the four or five days that lead up to ovulation.

Normally, a woman will ovulate approximately two weeks into her menstrual cycle. Many doctors recommend that women who are concerned about their fertility try to create an ovulation chart before undergoing more detailed medical tests. Success in making this sort of chart depends almost entirely on a woman’s ability to pay attention to her body and to watch for signs and signals of what’s happening on the inside.

Typically, women ovulate about two weeks into their menstrual cycle.
Typically, women ovulate about two weeks into their menstrual cycle.

Increased basal body temperature, thinning of cervical mucus, and increased libido are some of the easiest to measure and track. Women who are very serious about knowing the precise moment of ovulation may also want to track their production of luteinizing hormones, though this usually requires a commercially prepared test. These are available in many pharmacies and chemists, and work by measuring protein levels in the urine in much the same way as a home pregnancy test does.

Increased basal body temperature is one of the indications that ovulation is happening or will be happening soon.
Increased basal body temperature is one of the indications that ovulation is happening or will be happening soon.

It’s important for women to keep in mind that the general two week guideline for ovulation assumes a regular 28 day menstrual cycle. Someone whose cycles tend to be longer or shorter than this may ovulate at a different time. Just because one woman ovulates later than a friend or family member doesn’t usually mean that she suffers from “late ovulation,” though. At least from a medical perspective, ovulation isn’t usually considered to be late so long as it happens somewhere between cycle day ten and cycle day 21. Only ovulation that occurs after cycle day 21 gets the “late” label.

Reasons Ovulation Might Be Late

Late ovulation is ovulation that occurs after menstrual cycle day 21.
Late ovulation is ovulation that occurs after menstrual cycle day 21.

The most common cause of late ovulation is a luteal phase defect indicated by poor follicle production, failure of the uterine lining to respond to normal levels of progesterone, or premature demise of the corpus luteum. Stress, illness, or excessive exercise can also be a cause for some women. This is most commonly the cause of sporadic lateness or the occasional missed egg; ovulation that is erratic or consistently late and difficult to chart may be a result of a more serious genetic defect or growth that is impeding ovarian function.

Role in Fertility

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be a factor in both ovulation and infertility.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be a factor in both ovulation and infertility.

Late or missed ovulation isn’t always a problem for women, and many don’t even notice that it’s happening. It’s usually the most concerning when a woman is trying to become pregnant. First, the quality of a late egg is generally not as good as it would have been had it dropped on time. This isn’t necessarily problematic, but may be linked to various birth defects and problems with a pregnancy. Second, the lining of the uterus may be too old or too dense to support implantation at the time a late egg finally implants.

Not all women have the same reproductive cycle; some women ovulate earlier than others.
Not all women have the same reproductive cycle; some women ovulate earlier than others.

Practically speaking, a later-released egg also means fewer chances to try to conceive. To get pregnant, a woman should usually try to time intercourse during the four or five days leading up to ovulation. Sperm takes up to 72 hours to travel to its destination, so intercourse too late in the cycle may be less likely to result in fertilization. While pregnancy is still certainly possible, there’s usually a reduced window in these cases.

Common Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions about the condition. For example, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), while the most common cause of no ovulation, is not usually tied to ovulation that is simply late. Skipping a month of ovulation is not abnormal, although it may be a cause for concern if it happens more than twice per year.

Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the WiseGEEK team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.

Learn more...
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the WiseGEEK team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon181046

I ovulated a week late, but now I'm pregnant. Do I have a higher chance of miscarrying due to misforming?

roxytalks

I have already made an ovulation calendar because I have been worried for some time that I ovulate late. And from what I can see, I do have this problem. However, I was under the impression that if this was true, it meant that I couldn't get pregnant at all. I am so happy to hear that this is not the case!

Thank you so much! You have given me hope!

accordion

In addition to late ovulation, another problem which can lead to fertility issues is endometriosis. Many women with endometriosis- in which cysts, or polyps as they are sometimes called, grow on your uterine lining- find that they have trouble conceiving. If you do not think you have late ovulation, and you suffer from bad pelvic pain during your period or even at other times of your cycle, this is another possibility.

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    • In order to get pregnant, a woman should try to time intercourse during the four or five days that lead up to ovulation.
      By: Creativa
      In order to get pregnant, a woman should try to time intercourse during the four or five days that lead up to ovulation.
    • Typically, women ovulate about two weeks into their menstrual cycle.
      By: Lars Zahner
      Typically, women ovulate about two weeks into their menstrual cycle.
    • Increased basal body temperature is one of the indications that ovulation is happening or will be happening soon.
      By: svetlana larina
      Increased basal body temperature is one of the indications that ovulation is happening or will be happening soon.
    • Late ovulation is ovulation that occurs after menstrual cycle day 21.
      By: daniaphoto
      Late ovulation is ovulation that occurs after menstrual cycle day 21.
    • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be a factor in both ovulation and infertility.
      By: ryanking999
      Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be a factor in both ovulation and infertility.
    • Not all women have the same reproductive cycle; some women ovulate earlier than others.
      By: picsfive
      Not all women have the same reproductive cycle; some women ovulate earlier than others.