Ovulation Symptoms: What to Expect
Ovulation is the process of a mature egg being released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and becoming available to be fertilized. For women trying to conceive, it’s important to know when you’re ovulating so that you can have sex during your fertile window. But what are the ovulation symptoms that you should be on the lookout for? Keep reading to find out.
There are a few different ovulation symptoms that you can keep an eye (and ear!) out for.
• A change in your basal body temperature: Your basal body temperature is your lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period. You can take your basal body temperature by using a basal body thermometer first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed. During ovulation, your basal body temperature will rise about 0.4-1.0 degrees Fahrenheit and stay elevated until your next period begins.
• Changes in cervical mucus: Just before and during ovulation, cervical mucus becomes thinner, clearer, and more slippery—kind of like raw egg whites. This is due to increased estrogen levels during this time of your cycle. Checking your cervical mucus each day can help you track your ovulation.
• A twinge of pain on one side of your lower pelvis: Some women feel slight pain or cramping on one side of their lower pelvis when they ovulate. This is called mittelschmerz (German for “middle pain”), and it happens when the egg is released from the ovary.
• Breast tenderness: Increased progesterone levels during ovulation can cause breast tenderness or soreness.
• Higher sex drive: Many women report having a higher sex drive during their most fertile days. So if you’re feeling extra horny around ovulation time, there’s a good chance that’s why!
Ovulation is an important part of the conception process, and knowing when you’re ovulating can help increase your chances of getting pregnant. There are a few different ovulation symptoms to look out for, including a change in basal body temperature, changes in cervical mucus, breast tenderness, and a higher sex drive. Pay attention to these signs and symptoms so that you can better predict when you’re ovulating each month.
