When trying to conceive, many women track their cycles to determine their most fertile days by using ovulation tests or fertility monitors. Charting your cervical mucus consistency and basal body temperature can also indicate when your most fertile days are and help confirm when ovulation has occurred. Some women, more commonly women with PMOS (formerly PCOS) or irregular cycles, may be unaware that they are experiencing multiple follicular stimulation in a single cycle.
If you have ever received two peak readings or a second LH surge in one cycle just a couple days apart, you may have unknowingly experienced multiple follicular stimulation. In order to achieve pregnancy, the follicle is released from your ovary, and it must rupture for the egg to be released from the follicle. In cases of multiple follicular stimulation, your body releases the follicle, but it doesn't rupture. Therefore the egg is not released, and you are unable to achieve pregnancy at that time. Your body realizes that this has happened and subsequently releases a second follicle 3-5 days later.
Typically, after ovulation, fertility monitors will register "low" fertility, cervical mucus of egg-white consistency will be gone, and there will be shift in basal body temperature. Women who experience multiple follicular stimulation will receive a second peak reading with their monitor and may continue to see any other natural fertile signs. If you receive a second peak reading, it is extremely important that you continue intercourse, as you can only conceive after ovulation has taken place (i.e., conception will not result from the first follicle that was released). This is one of the main reasons that women experience a cycle that is a couple days longer than usual. Women who experience irregular cycles or who have been diagnosed with PMOS should be especially cognizant of this.
It is important to track your cycle diligently so you are able to catch cycles where there may be a delay in the time when you are able to conceive that month.
