4.10 Safe days to avoid Fertilization :

Young Adult girls often wonder exactly what are "Safe Days". Stimulated by hormones from the pituitary gland, the ovaries produce the hormone ESTROGEN, which stimulates the onset of menstruation. A second hormone, PROGESTERONE, is produced by the ovaries when ovulation occurs. From beginning of menstruation between 11 to 14 years(Menarche) to cessation of menstruation between 40 to 45 years(MENOPAUSE), the rhythmic patterns of the female cycle are controlled by these hormones. Each time a girl gets her period, a new cycle begins. The cycle usually lasts about 28 days, but the length of the cycle varies from 21 days to 40 days. The menstrual cycle(M.C.) is explained as under: More details...

1) The blood phase : The dissolved endometrium lining of the uterus & unfertilized ova comes out of the body through vaginal opening as menstrual flow in red to brown colour. If it is not painful and acceptable to both the husband and wife, these days are also Safe Days for intercourse. But many females will not like intercourse during these days due to pain as well as feeling of uncleanliness.

2) The Safe Days : The pre-ovulatory phase: The lining of the uterus starts building up again and one of the ovaries is getting ready to release the another ova. The blood lining of the uterus gradually thickens prior to ovulation.

3)The Unsafe Days : The Ovulation phase : It is the event when one of the two ovaries releases an ovum (egg cell) into the nearby fallopian tube. During these days if male sperm enters into the vagina normally through sex act(Intercourse), travels through fallopian tubes and interacts with ovum, it gets fertilised and it is called ‘a baby is conceived’. Pregnancy will start from this day. But it may also happen that every time the OVA may not get fertilised, even during these unsafe days..

4) The post-ovulatory phase : The ova travels through the fallopian tube into the uterus. The lining of the uterus continues to thicken with blood and nutrient tissue.

Ovulation generally occurs about 14 days before the onset of the next period, which is the probable time to get pregnant, although this may vary with each individual and each new cycle. Usually only one ova is released, but occasionally two or more may be released. The ovaries begin producing the hormone progesterone, which causes the lining of the uterus to become thick with blood and tissue, just after ovulation.