Ovulation in a 22-day cycle: day 8
With a 22-day cycle and ovulation around day 8, timing is tight: a six- or seven-day period ends just as your most fertile days begin.
If you are trying to conceive, start ovulation tests as soon as your period finishes rather than waiting for the second week of your cycle.
Ovulation is usually about 14 days before the next period, so in a 22-day cycle it falls on day 8 — 6 days earlier than in a 28-day cycle. A 22-day cycle is at the short end of the usual adult range (about 21–35 days). With a short cycle, ovulation comes early — sometimes only a few days after your period ends — so the fertile window can start while you are still bleeding or just after.
Your 22-day cycle, phase by phase
| Phase | Cycle days |
|---|---|
| Period (typical) | Days 1–5 |
| Follicular phase | Days 1–7 (7 days) |
| Fertile window | Days 3–9, best on days 6–8 |
| Ovulation | Day 8 |
| Luteal phase | Days 9–22 (14 days) |
Start LH ovulation tests around day 5; a positive result on day 6 or 7 points to ovulation on day 8.
If your cycle is sometimes 20 or 24 days
Few cycles are identical every month. If yours ranges between 20 and 24 days, ovulation could fall anywhere from day 6 to day 10, which widens your possible fertile days to days 1 to 11. Base the start of ovulation testing on your shortest recent cycle (day 3), and expect your period between day 21 and day 25.
| Cycle length | Ovulation | Fertile window |
|---|---|---|
| 21 days | Day 7 | Days 2–8 |
| 22 days | Day 8 | Days 3–9 |
| 23 days | Day 9 | Days 4–10 |
| 24 days | Day 10 | Days 5–11 |
Example: a 22-day cycle starting today
| Period starts (day 1) | |
|---|---|
| Start ovulation tests (day 5) | |
| Fertile window (days 3–9) | – |
| Estimated ovulation (day 8) | |
| Next period / test day (day 23) |
Test for pregnancy from day 23 — see the Pregnancy Test Calculator for exact dates.