Understanding and Managing Twice Monthly Ovulation

Question
I'm 34 years old with a five year old and two year old twin girls (zygosity unknown).  I had trouble conceiving with my oldest and the problem was lack of ovulation (14 day cycle rather than 28).  Once my oldest was born my cycles were like clockwork but I noticed that I appeared to ovulate twice a month, most months.  On about day 14 I would experience the clear, thick, discharge with mild cramping sometimes and it would last for about two days.  After about three days of no discharge it would start again.  My twins were conceived with no medical assistance the first month we tried.  After my twins were born I mentioned to my OB/GYN that I thought I was ovualting twice a month and he said that women only ovulate once a month.  Is it possible to ovulate twice a month?  Thanks for your time!

Sheroll

Answer
It is not possible to ovulated more than  once each month. YOu may notice clear discharge and cramping several, times during the month, but you only ovulate once. The first half of the cycle is controlled by estrogen. At around mid cycle, estrogen drops and there is an LH surge (Luteinizing hormone). This initiates ovulation. Then progesterone takes over and prepares you for pregnancy or your next period. Once ovulation occurs, there are no more follicles in the ovary and ovulation cannot occur again until estrogen and FSH (follicle stimulatiing hormone) is again produced. That does not occur until your next period. Ovulation, therefore, is usually fourteen days prior to the first day of your  period. Cramping can occur throughout the cycle and you really can't go by discharge to assume ovulation has taken place.