Difference Between Fertile and Ovulation

The key difference between fertile and ovulation is that the fertile is the time period where both the egg and the sperms are viable within the female reproductive system while the ovulation is the process of releasing an egg by an ovary.

The two terms, fertile and ovulation are used in the context of conception and pregnancy. They both occur during the menstrual cycle of women. The last fertile day is the day of ovulation. Once released, the egg is viable for 24 hours, but the sperm inside the female reproductive system is viable up to 05 days. The survival chance of sperms facilitates by the secretion of cervical fluid by the female reproductive system.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Fertile
3. What is Ovulation
4. Similarities Between Fertile and Ovulation
5. Side by Side Comparison – Fertile vs Ovulation in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Fertile?

Fertile is the time period where, both the egg and the sperms are viable within the female reproductive system. It is the time period that facilitates the person’s ability to conceive an offspring. The five days that lead up to the day of ovulation is referred to as the fertile window. Normally, sperms survive up to five days within the female reproductive system. Hence, the deposition of sperms within the fertile window has a higher chance of conception.

Accordingly, the day before and the day of ovulation are the two most fertile days of a female. Moreover, the cervical fluid secreted by the female reproductive system is a highly moist slimy liquid. This is secreted several days prior to ovulation.

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the release of an egg by an ovary. Ovulation takes place about halfway through the menstrual cycle. Generally, it occurs after 14 days of menstruation. But, this differs from woman to woman. During ovulation, the ovarian follicles rupture and release a secondary oocyte/egg. It is triggered by luteinizing hormone (LH). The oocyte can unite with sperm and undergo fertilization.

Moreover, the egg is viable only up to 24 hours. Hence, a sperm should unite with the egg within this time period for successful conception. During ovulation, estrogen is released to increase the thickness of the uterine wall. It facilitates the growth of the embryo (fertilized and differentiated zygote) embedded in the uterine wall. If fertilization does not occur, the uterine wall will shed at the end of the menstrual cycle.

What are the Similarities Between Fertile and Ovulation?

• Fertile period and ovulation period occur during the menstrual cycle.
• Both are terms used in conception and pregnancy.
• Moreover, both fertile and ovulation take place under different hormone levels.

What is the Difference Between Fertile and Ovulation?

Fertile and ovulation are two terms related to pregnancy and conception. Fertile is the period during which both the egg and the sperms are visible within the female reproductive system. On the other hand, ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary. Thus, this is the key difference between fertile and ovulation. Furthermore, the general fertile period is five days while the ovulation occurs 14 days after commencement of the menstrual cycle. This is also a difference between fertile and ovulation.

Summary – Fertile vs Ovulation

Both fertile period and ovulation period occur during the menstrual cycle. The two terms, fertile and ovulation are used in the context of conception and pregnancy. The key difference between fertile and ovulation is that fertile is the time period where, both the egg and the sperms are viable within the female reproductive system, while ovulation is the process of release of an egg by an ovary. The egg is viable only up to 24 hours while the sperms survive up to five days within the female reproductive system. The five days which lead up to the day of ovulation is ‘the fertile window’. The deposition of sperms within the fertile window has a higher chance of conception. This is the summary of the difference between fertile and ovulation.

Reference:

1. Nierenberg, Cari. “What Is Ovulation?” LiveScience, Purch, 6 Mar. 2018. Available here  
2. “What Is Ovulation?” Understand the Female Menstrual Cycle, Ovulation and Periods, 8 Jan. 2019. Available here  

Image Courtesy:

1.”SDM-circle3″By Vargklo (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia  
2.”Aging-1″By Gaboka86 – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia