when are women most fertile

Women are most fertile during the ovulation phase of their menstrual cycle, which typically occurs around the middle of the cycle, about 14 days before the next menstrual period starts. This "fertile window" usually spans about six days, including the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself, when a mature egg is released and ready for fertilization. For women with a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation commonly occurs around day 14, making days 12, 13, and 14 the most fertile days. However, the timing can vary widely among women and from cycle to cycle, with fertile days potentially ranging anywhere between days 6 to 21 of the cycle. Because of this variability, many healthcare providers recommend tracking ovulation with methods like basal body temperature charting or ovulation predictor kits to more accurately identify a woman's fertile period.