Knowing when you’re ovulating is a great way to determine the best time to get pregnant or even avoid having unprotected sex. Even if you’re not planning to conceive at the moment, knowing your ovulation days can give you a clear picture of your menstrual cycle.
It can also help spot any abnormal symptoms down the line. Moreover, for women who are actively trying to conceive, keeping track helps determine if there are any complications, or should you need to visit a gynaecologist.
Here’s everything that you need to know about ovulation and why knowing the signs and symptoms of ovulation is important.
What Is Ovulation?
Image courtesy: File photo
During ovulation, the ovary will release a mature egg. It then travels down the fallopian tube where it may meet the sperm and fertilise. For most healthy women, ovulation takes place once a month, a few weeks after menstruation begins.
On average, an egg will fertilise in about 24 hours after releasing from your ovary. Do remember that the sperm can also live inside your reproductive tract for as long as five days after sexual intercourse under the right conditions.
When Is The Right Time To Have Sex?
The process of ovulation typically starts four days before or after the halfway point of your menstrual cycle. That’s why the 3-5 day period or even the day of your ovulation can be considered as your fertile window.
You can plan to conceive around these days to increase your chances of pregnancy.
Do note that the ovulation cycle varies from person to person and it’s important to track your own body symptoms to better understand when you’re ovulating. Your body will go through some changes and it is mainly due to the increased levels of hormones, especially estrogen during this time.
7 Signs And Symptoms Of Ovulation
1. Clear and stretchy vaginal discharge
Image courtesy: File photo
Your cervical mucus will be clear, wet, slippery and stretchy during ovulation. This helps the sperm to swim to the egg.
Here’s how to check:
- Wash your hands and insert your clean finger into the vagina.
- Remove some of the mucus and then stretch out the secretion between the thumb and the finger. This will help you to see the texture of your vaginal discharge and help you identify whether you are ovulating.
2. Change in basal body temperature
When you’re ovulating, your body’s basal temperature slightly increases.
Here’s how to check:
- Use a thermometer specifically designed to measure basal body temperature.
- Take your temperature reading every morning before you get out of bed.
- Maintain a record of the results and look for a pattern to emerge. You are actually at your most fertile period during the two to three days before your temperature rises.
3. Tender breasts
Sore nipples and tender breasts are another sign of ovulation. It is due to the surge in hormones in your body during this time.
While you may experience this tenderness just before ovulation, others may feel it right after ovulation occurs.
4. Increased senses
Many women experience a more sensitive sense of smell in the latter half of a normal menstruation cycle. This can be a sign of ovulation. Some women may also have a heightened sense of taste. During this fertile period, your body is primed to be attracted to the male pheromone androstenone.
5. Changes in saliva
Hormones–progesterone and estrogen–may alter the consistency of dried saliva before or during ovulation, causing patterns to form. You may see that patterns in the dried saliva may look similar to crystals for some women.
However, smoking, drinking, eating and even brushing your teeth can mask these effects, thus making it a less conclusive ovulation indicator.
6. Ovulation spotting
During ovulation, there are some women who have brown discharge or spotting. It’s extremely normal.
This sign can be visible when the follicle that surrounds and protects the developing oocyte, matures, grows and then ruptures. Thus, resulting in a small amount of bleeding.
As the blood gets older, it gets brown in colour. It is usually not a sign of major concern but if the spotting persists, you need to visit your doctor to check if there are any signs of infection.
7. Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
Image courtesy: File photo
Some women may experience pelvic or lower abdominal pain before or during ovulation, or mittelschmerz. You may feel like a dull cramp or a sharp pain on the side of your abdomen when the ovary is releasing the egg.
You may also experience nausea, which is usually mild and short-lived during this period.
Ovulation symptoms may not be quite visible in every woman. Remember, not having symptoms doesn’t mean you aren’t ovulating. There are certain physical changes you can look for which may help you identify your ovulation cycle.
When To Contact Your Doctor?
Keeping an eye on the signs and symptoms of ovulation is a great way to understand your cycle. You can also chart ovulation with a calendar or even go for a urine test to get a clear picture.
It is especially important if you suffer from irregular periods (short, when it is fewer than 21 days) or long (more than 35 days).
Dr Shannon Clark, an Associate Professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch; recommends you get evaluated by a fertility specialist or an OB-GYN to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing those irregular cycles.
Yes, fertility declines with age but even young women can have infertility issues. Contact a fertility specialist if you’re having difficulty conceiving:
- When you’re over 35 and not being able to get pregnant within six months of actively trying
- You’re under 35 and not conceiving in spite of actively trying for one year or more.
While it’s true that tracking ovulation with irregular cycles can be more difficult, do remember ovulation days ideally begin 14 days before the onset of menstruation.
This means even with irregular periods, you could still conceive at some point in your cycle.
ALSO READ:
Signs of Ovulation: How Your Cervix Changes During a Cycle
12 Ways to Know When You Are Ovulating
