image bio

Get an extra 10% off your first month of any subscription with code SEPT23. Shop Now

Earn up to $500 when you refer friends to Natalist. Learn More

Home > Learn > Ovulation Tests > >Can You Ovulate More Than Once a Month?

Can You Ovulate More Than Once a Month?

May 04, 21 4 min
Can You Ovulate More Than Once a Month? - Natalist

Researchers discovered that most women have two waves of follicle development, but what does that mean for ovulation?  

By OBGYN and fertility expert Dr. Kenosha Gleaton

Stepping back, what is ovulation?

Ovulation is the period of your menstrual cycle when an egg is released from an ovary. This usually occurs around two weeks before your period, and it’s a common belief that your ovaries alternate releasing an egg. Each ovary contains 1-2 million primordial follicles, each of which contains an egg. Once a follicle matures and is released, the egg waits to be fertilized (or if it doesn’t, menstruation occurs). If you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s important that you have sex when you’re ovulating to increase the chances of conception.

It’s been taught for years that ovulation only occurs once a month, but is this true? Some research has stated otherwise. 

Why research made some people question everything

In one study using daily ultrasounds, researchers discovered that 68 percent of women exhibited two waves of follicle development, even though they reported having regular menstrual cycles. This means that the follicles that contain unreleased eggs mature and develop in some women twice in one month. 

These results may look promising for anyone struggling to get pregnant, but the truth is they are misleading. Follicular development may have happened twice, but as one of the authors pointed out, ovulation doesn’t occur until the final wave of follicular development- a process that only occurs once a month. 

Hyperovulation: two eggs, one month

The mechanism causing multiple eggs to be released in one month is something called hyperovulation, or multiple ovulation. This occurs when both ovaries release an egg during your cycle. When this happens, if both eggs are fertilized, it leads to fraternal twins. In the case of hyperovulation, you aren’t ovulating twice. Your ovaries release two eggs (one egg per ovary) instead of the usual one.  

Natalist shop ovulation kit banner

 What this means for people trying to conceive

If you’re trying to conceive, you can use ovulation tests to track your cycle and optimize your chances of getting pregnant. If an egg is being released, it will be preceded by high LH levels (AKA a positive ovulation test result). It’s impossible to know exactly how often hyperovulation occurs, but one study found that 21% of women had at least one cycle where hyperovulation occurred. It’s no guarantee that it’ll happen to you, but there are some factors that increase the probability of releasing multiple eggs. 

Factors that increase the probability of ovulating more than once

  • Age: Perhaps the #1 factor to increased ovulation is age. The older women get, the more difficult it can be to inhibit follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a key hormone for initiating ovulation. 
  • Genes: It’s likely that genes play a large role in hyperovulation and twinning. Ever notice how twins seem to run in the family? 
  • Stopping birth control: It’s not a guarantee that every time a woman stops taking hormonal birth control, hyperovulation will occur. However it is a fairly common, reasonable factor. The cessation of hormones that inhibit FSH release could mean your brain ends up overshooting it’s FSH production. 

What this means for ART

What we do know is this: women with regular menstrual cycles typically ovulate once a month. While hyperovulation can occur from time to time, the technology we have now doesn’t allow us to actually detect released eggs, so there’s not much we can alter with ART at the moment. 

The bottom line

Constant developments in research and technology are teaching us more about reproductive health every day. Although we can’t get the answers to all of our questions right now, we’re learning more about fertility and the human body every day. While it would be ideal for those TTC if ovulation occurred multiple times a month, it’s not likely. Hyperovulation can occur from time to time, but it’s more likely that your body releases one egg, one time per menstrual cycle. If you’re interested in tracking ovulation, try out Natalist’s Ovulation Test Kit

Shop Products From This Article
sticker save
The Test Strip Pack

The Test Strip Pack

Bundle & save with our earth-friendlier test strips

$37

sticker new
menstrual cycle regulation support

Cycle Support Bundle

Bundle & save on cycle regularity support‡

$85 $75

Shop Products

sticker new
Myo and D Chiro Inositol supplement capsules

Inositol Plus

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$35

Subscribe & Save $3.00 sticker new
Natalist-hydration-energy-electrolyte-drink-mix

Hydration & Energy Electrolyte Drink Mix

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$32

sticker favorite
Natalist Ovulation Test Kit

Ovulation Test Kit

As low as $0.76 per strip

$25

Subscribe & Save $6.00 sticker new
Box of Natalist Hydration & Energy mix next to Magnesium Plus bottle

Drink Mix Duo

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$70 $59

sticker bestseller
Front of Natalist Prenatal Daily Packets against a white background

Prenatal Daily Packets

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$60

Subscribe & Save $15.00 sticker favorite
Prenatal Daily Packets Trimester Pack

Trimester Pack: Prenatal Daily Packets

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$180 $150

sticker bestseller
Prenatal gummy vitamins

Prenatal Gummies

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$35

Subscribe & Save $10.00 sticker favorite
Trimester Pack: Prenatal Gummies

Trimester Pack: Prenatal Gummies

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$105 $85

sticker bestseller
Pregnancy Tests (4-Count)

Pregnancy Tests (4-Count)

As low as $3.20 per test

$16

sticker favorite
Natalist Ovulation Test Kit

Ovulation Test Kit

As low as $0.76 per strip

$25

sticker favorite
Women's Fertility Test Bundle

Women's Fertility Test Bundle

Bundle & save $26

$205 $185

sticker save
The Test Strip Pack

The Test Strip Pack

Bundle & save with our earth-friendlier test strips

$37