How many days does a woman's ovulation period last?
Sep 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the exact number of days in a woman's ovulation period should be determined by considering the ovulation day, as well as the survival times of the egg and sperm. If referring specifically to the ovulation day itself, it typically lasts 1 day; however, if referring to the fertile window (the period during which pregnancy is likely), it usually spans around 10 days. It is important to note that this estimated 10-day ovulation period is a reference range calculated based on women with regular menstrual cycles.
Generally speaking, the exact number of days in a woman's ovulation period needs to be determined by considering the ovulation day and the survival times of both the egg and sperm. If referring specifically to the ovulation day itself, it typically lasts 1 day; however, if referring to the fertile window encompassing the ovulation period, it usually lasts about 10 days. A detailed explanation is as follows:
If only the day the egg is released—known as the ovulation day—is counted, a woman's ovulation period lasts only one day. Typically, a woman's ovaries release only one mature egg each month. After the egg is released from the ovary, it can survive in the body for approximately 12–24 hours. If it does not combine with sperm within this timeframe, the egg gradually loses its ability to be fertilized.
From the perspective of conception probability, if the fertile window around the ovulation day is included within the ovulation period, the ovulation period typically lasts about 10 days. This is because male sperm can survive for 2–3 days inside a woman's body. To increase the chances of conception, the five days before the ovulation day, the four days after, and the ovulation day itself are all considered part of the ovulation period.
It should be noted that the estimated ovulation period of about 10 days is calculated based on women with regular menstrual cycles. If a woman's menstrual cycle is irregular, the ovulation day may vary, and accordingly, the length of the ovulation period will also change.
