How many days after ovulation is a woman most likely to conceive?

A woman is most likely to conceive between 10 to 14 days after ovulation due to the timing of the fertile window and the lifespan of sperm and the egg.

After ovulation, the egg is viable for fertilization for about 12 to 24 hours. Sperm, on the other hand, can live inside a woman's reproductive tract for about 3 to 5 days. Therefore, for conception to occur, the sperm must be present in the reproductive tract when the egg is released or shortly afterward.

The peak fertility period aligns with the ovulation cycle, which typically occurs about 14 days before the start of a woman’s next menstrual period. By calculating this, it becomes evident that engaging in intercourse within this timeframe (which stretches from a few days before ovulation up to a few days after) maximizes the likelihood of conception.

Overall, this specific timing of ovulation and the survivability of both sperm and egg clearly indicate why conception is most probable within approximately 10 to 14 days post-ovulation, aligning with the expected menstrual cycle.