Approximately on which cycle days does the LH surge occur?

Approximately on which cycle days does the LH surge occur?

• A. Cycle day 11-13
• B. Cycle day 14
• C. Cycle day 5-8
• D. Cycle day 1-6

Answer: (A)

The timing of the LH surge is what the question is testing. The LH surge happens in the middle of the cycle, driven by a peak in estrogen from the maturing follicle that shifts the pituitary to release a large amount of LH. This surge then triggers ovulation about 24 to 36 hours later. In a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation is around day 14, so the LH surge usually occurs a day or two before that—in about days 11 to 13. That’s why 11–13 is the best choice: it captures the mid-cycle surge that signals impending ovulation. Early days of the cycle (days 1–6) are the follicular phase with rising FSH and estrogen, not the LH surge. Day 14 is commonly around ovulation itself, not the surge, which occurs beforehand.

The timing of the LH surge is what the question is testing. The LH surge happens in the middle of the cycle, driven by a peak in estrogen from the maturing follicle that shifts the pituitary to release a large amount of LH. This surge then triggers ovulation about 24 to 36 hours later. In a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation is around day 14, so the LH surge usually occurs a day or two before that—in about days 11 to 13.

That’s why 11–13 is the best choice: it captures the mid-cycle surge that signals impending ovulation. Early days of the cycle (days 1–6) are the follicular phase with rising FSH and estrogen, not the LH surge. Day 14 is commonly around ovulation itself, not the surge, which occurs beforehand.