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Q&A: Ovulation, “safe days”, pregnancy and UTI

Every week, we will gather your questions from article comments and Instagram messages to provide you with detailed responses.

I feel pain during the urination, what can it be?

Pain during urination, also known as dysuria, can have several possible causes. Most common ones are:

❥ Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

This is the most common cause of pain during urination. It occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract, leading to infection. Symptoms may include a frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and lower abdominal pain.

❥ Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes can cause pain during urination. Other symptoms may include abnormal discharge or sores.

❥ Vaginal Infections

Yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis can also irritate the vaginal area, causing pain or a burning sensation during urination.

❥ Kidney Stones

Small stones passing through the urinary tract can cause pain, especially if they block the flow of urine.

❥ Irritation or Trauma

Using harsh soaps, certain feminine hygiene products, or having recent sexual activity may irritate the area, causing pain during urination.

❥ Interstitial Cystitis

This is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain, and pelvic pain, leading to discomfort during urination.

If you are experiencing persistent or severe pain during urination, it's important to seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.

I have kids, and I've tried to conceive, but in vain. What could be the issue?

Secondary infertility, which is the difficulty in conceiving after previously having children, can be caused by various factors. Some common reasons include:

❣ Age

Fertility decreases with age, especially after age 35 for women. Even if you had no issues with previous pregnancies, the natural aging process can affect egg quality and quantity.

❣ Hormonal Imbalances

Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders can affect hormone levels and prevent regular ovulation.

❣ Weight changes and stress.

Significant weight gain or loss can impact fertility, as well as high levels of stress that may interfere with the reproductive hormones that regulate ovulation.

❣ Complications from previous pregnancies

Past surgeries, such as cesarean sections or other pelvic surgeries, may cause scarring that can block the fallopian tubes. Pelvic infections, including untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can lead to scarring or damage to the reproductive organs.

❣ Sperm quality issues

While the woman’s health is often a focus, it’s essential to check the partner’s sperm quality, as it can change over time due to factors like age, lifestyle, or medical conditions.

❣ Endometriosis

This condition, where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside of it, can cause inflammation, scarring, and blockages, making it difficult to conceive.

❣ Unexplained infertility

In some cases, no clear cause is identified, which can be frustrating. However, fertility treatments such as IVF may still help in these situations.

If you've been trying to conceive for over a year (or six months if you're over 35), it's a good idea to consult a healthcare provider for tests and guidance.

How to understand that I am pregnant?

The most common signs of pregnancy include both physical and hormonal changes. Here’s how you can recognize early signs that might suggest you are pregnant:

❀ Missed Period

If your period is regular, and you miss it, this could be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.

❀ Breast changes

Your breasts might become swollen, sore, or feel heavier. The area around the nipples (areola) may also darken.

❀ Nausea or morning sickness

Feeling nauseous or vomiting, especially in the morning or when exposed to strong smells, is common during the early weeks. This can start as early as 2–8 weeks after conception.

❀ Fatigue

Feeling unusually tired or exhausted without doing much is another early sign. Hormonal changes, especially increased levels of progesterone, can make you feel more fatigued.

❀ Frequent urination

You may notice you’re going to the bathroom more often, even in the early weeks of pregnancy, due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your kidneys.

❀ Mood swings

You might experience emotional ups and downs, similar to what you feel before your period, but often more intense due to hormonal fluctuations.

❀ Spotting or light bleeding

Some women experience light spotting or bleeding when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, usually around 6–12 days after conception. This is often lighter and shorter than a regular period.

❀ Cramping
Mild cramping can be a sign of implantation as well, but it’s usually not as intense as period cramps.

❀ Bloating or constipation

Hormonal changes can slow down digestion, causing bloating or constipation in early pregnancy.

❀ Increased sensitivity to smells

You may become more sensitive to smells and have strong reactions to certain odors.

❀ Positive Pregnancy Test

The most reliable way to confirm pregnancy is by taking a home pregnancy test. These tests detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine, which is produced after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. For best accuracy, take the test after you’ve missed your period.

If any of these symptoms appear, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test and follow up with a healthcare provider for confirmation and guidance on prenatal care

How to indicate my ovulation period in the Eshe calendar?

In the Eshe app, the ovulation period is highlighted in green on the calendar. The days marked in green indicate when your chances of conceiving are at their highest.

To ensure the calendar accurately predicts your ovulation, it's important to enter data about your menstrual cycle for at least three consecutive cycles. This allows the calendar to calculate your most fertile days based on your personal information. The longer you track your cycle in the app, the more precise the predictions will become.

How to figure out my “safe” days? When to use protection?

There are NO safe days. You are more likely to get pregnant during the ovulation, but you absolutely can get pregnant at any day of your cycle! So you are not want to get pregnant, you have to use protection all the time.


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