Learning Fertility Basics Fertility is the natural capability to
give life. "To understand fertility, one must first understand
the reproductive cycle," says Dr. Alan Gibstein. He is an
assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU College
of Medicine and a women’s heath expert on JustAnswer.com. The
female reproductive system is incredibly sophisticated yet
surprisingly simple. Charting fertility — as unromantic and
unspontaneous as it may sound — is a helpful tool for women
trying to conceive. Your menstrual cycle Until you understand
your menstrual cycle, you can’t chart your fertility. From
puberty to menopause, most women experience a regular monthly
period. One woman’s cycle may differ from another’s, but the
general pattern is consistent. The first part of the cycle goes
from menstruation to ovulation (exact timing varies): Day 1 —
Bleeding begins and lasts an average three to five days. - Day 7
— Hormones cause eggs in the ovaries to ripen. - Day 11 — The
lining of the uterus thickens. - Day