How long between ovulation and period?

[sallycinamon]

I'm sure this question has been asked before (probably by me!) but does ovulation always occur exactly 14 days before the arrival of period or can this vary from woman to woman?

I feel sure I have just had a 16 day gap between ovulating and af. Or perhaps, despite having all the signs, I just didn't ovulate this cycle.

thanks!

yes - first part of cycle can vary in length.

Ovulation is not an exact science and it can occur earlier, later or not at all in ANY given cycle. Its therefore not always 14 days before the start of the next period!.

The time between ovulation and menstruation is called the Luteal Phase (LP) - this varies from woman to woman.

It is quite possible to have a LP of 16 days. Also it is possible that you didn't ovulate, as some months is is possible to have an annovulatory cycle. There is nothing wrong with this - perfectly normal apparently.

A woman's LP is usually the same length each month, give or take a day.

Good luck

My understanding is that both parts can vary, but the 1st part (period - ov) can vary in a woman from month to month (stresses delaying ov etc) whereas the 2nd part (ov - period) tends to be the same length for a woman (though different for different women) each month and can range (in different women) from 10 - 18 days.