Symptoms of Ovulation
Your body will send you signs when ovulation is approaching. Knowing ovulation symptoms can help you calculate your most fertile days. Usually ovulation happens two weeks before your next cycle.
Ovulation has a small time frame. This phase starts once the egg bursts through to the fallopian tube and ends when the egg is no longer functioning.
Once the egg is released from the follicle, it remains active for 12-36 hours in the fallopian tube. If a sperm doesn’t fertilize it during this time, there will be no pregnancy. You will start your period in two weeks.
What are the Symptoms of Ovulation?
Basal Body Temperature Increases
When someone is fully resting, their body has a specific temperature which is known as basal body temperature. For example, the temperature right after we wake up from sleep. During the ovulation period, our basal body temperature increases slightly.
Our hormones are a factor in body temperature. The hormone progesterone is high after LH is released. It increases our body temperature.
If there’s no pregnancy, progesterone will drop and your BBT will decrease during the next period. But, if there’s a pregnancy, progesterone will keep rising and so your BBT will be higher than normal as well.
The usual basal body temperature is under 36.4 degree Celsius. It can increase up to 37 degrees when you’re ovulating. Even half a degree rise indicates incoming ovulation.
Stretchy Cervical Mucus
Vaginal discharge consists of cervical mucus and other fluids. Cervical mucus is mostly water. The texture and discharge amount change based on your body’s hormonal activities.
During the days leading up to your ovulation, there is an increase in estrogen and progesterone. In your most fertile days, cervical mucus is released more which results in more vaginal discharge.
The texture is similar to egg white. It becomes stretchy, wet, thin, and transparent.
Your body is preparing for fertilization and pregnancy in every cycle. One of the preparation activities is changing cervical mucus texture so it can help to carry sperm near the mature egg. It helps the sperm to remain alive for 5 days maximum.
Mild Cramps and Pelvic Pain
It’s quite uncommon but some people may face mild cramps or pain in the pelvis when ovulation is approaching. The pain can last until ovulation ends. This is also known as Mittelschmerz and happens in the middle of the menstrual cycle (day 10-20 of the cycle).
When the egg bursts out of the follicle, you can feel slight pain in the pelvis and a small amount of blood may come out. The pain isn’t intense but varies every month.
Usually, you feel pain for a moment or two but for some women, it can last longer.
There can also be a burning feeling when the egg bursts out and fluid comes out with it. This can cause abdominal cramps.
Sensitive Breasts
Another not-so-common symptom of ovulation is tender breasts. During the ovulation period, your breasts and nipples can feel sensitive and painful at times. The fluctuating hormone levels, especially the surge of LH, can cause this.
One or both nipples can hurt alongside swelling of breasts. Wearing comfortable bras during this time can decrease the discomfort.
Tender breasts are also a sign of pregnancy. While monitoring your cycle, if you notice sensitivity in the chest area days after the ovulation period, it can indicate pregnancy.
Saliva Changes
Like all symptoms of ovulation, change in saliva is also caused by hormones. The increasing estrogen and progesterone change the texture of saliva. Usually, our dried saliva is more spotty but saliva during ovulation has a more fern-like pattern.
Like all symptoms of ovulation, change in saliva is also caused by hormones. The increasing estrogen and progesterone change the texture of saliva. Usually, our dried saliva is more spotty but saliva during ovulation has a more fern-like pattern.
In conclusion, being aware of the symptoms your body is showing can improve not only your reproductive health but also overall health. You can prepare yourself for ovulation and the upcoming period.
Download Chondo App
Track your period and get notified.
Download
Beta
