PregatipsHow Do You Check Your Cervical Mucus To See If You're Ovulating? If you're thinking about starting a family and want to understand conception, understanding ovulation is the first step. Ovulation times vary from person to person, but there are techniques to recognise the indications of ovulation and schedule sexual intercourse to enhance your chances of becoming pregnant. Even if you aren't actively trying to conceive, understanding the indicators of ovulation is essential. They may help you understand your menstrual cycle and detect any anomalies that may arise in the future. In fact, some women track ovulation to prevent pregnancy.
What is Ovulation?
is the phase of your monthly cycle in which a developed egg is released from the ovary, preparing it for fertilisation. Every woman is born with millions of immature eggs, which are typically discharged one at a time per month. During ovulation, a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the , which travels down the fallopian tube and may be fertilised by a sperm. Most healthy women ovulate once a month, just a few weeks after menstruation starts.Ovulation symptoms
You are probably wondering whether you can feel ovulation occurring. It varies from woman to woman, but there are a few typical ovulation signs you could notice. Hormonal changes before and during ovulation may impact the whole body, causing symptoms of ovulation. These may give significant but occasionally subtle cues that tell you when you're ovulating. Many women have ovulation symptoms up to five days before and on the day of ovulation. They may persist for a day after ovulation.However, if you don't detect any indications of ovulation, don't be concerned—it doesn't imply it's not occurring. However, learning to recognise the common indicators of ovulation mentioned below may help you estimate when ovulation will occur.1. Cervical mucus changes
Cervical mucus changes are one sign of ovulation you may notice. As you approach ovulation, your body creates more oestrogen, leading cervical mucus to become stretchy and transparent, similar to egg whites, allowing sperm to swim to the egg that is released during ovulation. Most women have cervical mucus changes, but you must be aware of what to look for. 2. Heightened senses
A more acute sense of smell in the later part of a regular menstrual cycle may indicate ovulation in some women. This might be because, during this reproductive period, your body is predisposed to be more attracted to the male pheromone androstenone. Nonetheless, evidence indicates that ovulation may influence a woman's general olfactory sense. Furthermore, many women report having an enhanced sense of taste.3. Breast discomfort or tenderness
Tender breasts or aching nipples may also be indicators of ovulation, due to the surge of hormones entering your body just before and after ovulation. Some women may experience this sensitivity soon before ovulation, while others may feel it immediately after ovulation. 4. Mild pelvic or lower abdominal discomfort
A lot of women question whether they can feel ovulation. For others, the answer is yes, with a minor aching or soreness in the lower abdomen on one side or the other. Along with the soreness or pain, you may suffer light vaginal bleeding, discharge, or nausea. These symptoms are generally moderate and temporary.Many women question whether ovulation discomfort is connected to fertility. However, fertility has nothing to do with the amount of discomfort you feel while you ovulate, so do not use this as a measure to assess your fertility levels. 5. Light spotting or discharge
Ovulation can sometimes cause a small amount of spotting or brown discharge due to the surge in hormones. This ovulation symptom occurs when the follicle that surrounds and protects the developing oocyte (the egg) develops, expands, and ruptures, causing a small amount of blood to flow. As blood ages, it becomes brown, which is why ovulation discharge may vary from red to dark brown. There is no need for concern unless the spotting continues. In that case, you should see a doctor to rule out infection and the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy if you have been sexually active.6. Libido changes
Another typical sign of ovulation is an increase in libido. Some women feel an increase in their sexual urge during ovulation, which may be Mother Nature's way of promoting reproduction. 7. Cervical changes
During ovulation, your cervix may rise higher, become softer, and open more. You may examine your cervix and mucus for ovulation symptoms, but it may take some time to understand the changes you're experiencing. Changes in the cervix are more challenging to track than other indicators of ovulation. 8. Your basal body temperature changes
Your basal body temperature, often known as BBT, is the temperature your body maintains during rest. At the start of your cycle, basal body temperature is fairly consistent and averages between 97 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit; as you get closer to ovulation, you'll notice a slight drop in basal body temperature followed by a sharp increase, typically of about 0.4 to 1.0 degrees, just after ovulation. While you may not feel this symptom, it might indicate ovulation. When you ovulate, your basal body temperature rises and remains that way. What is cervical mucus?
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Sreeja Rani, Sr. Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Centre, Bangalore
