6 Ovulation Symptoms That You Need to Know

6 Ovulation Symptoms That You Need to Know

Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg transfers from the ovaries to the uterus via fallopian tubes. This process takes place every month with the help of hormonal balance that exists in your body. In the first half of cycle, estrogen surges and helps the egg to mature and in the second half of your cycle, progesterone helps in thickening the lining of the uterus and create a safe environment for the sperm in case fertilization occurs. The egg can only be fertilized for up to 24 hours after ovulation.
Therefore, it’s very important to do your period math if you are trying to get pregnant. According to a study, it has been proven that one out of two couples doesn’t have sex at the time of ovulation. They also have their calculations for ovulation and fertility all wrong. Ovulation generally happens around 12-16 days before your next period starts. Everyone has a different period cycle and therefore, the time of ovulation also differs accordingly. Taking time out to appropriately track your cycle is really important.

1. Breast Soreness:

Estrogen, which is at its peak during ovulation causes increased blood flow to various parts of the body especially the lady parts – vagina and boobs. An increase in blood flow is responsible for Symptom #3 mentioned below and an increase in blood flow to the breasts results in tenderness. This breast soreness might recur with your PMS symptoms.

2. Spotting:

Some women might notice slight spotting that is brown or reddish brown in color. The color is not generally bright red. If it’s bright red or looks like fresh blood then it’s not ovulation spotting. Ovulation spotting happens when the follicle that surrounds the egg ruptures. Since the follicle stays with the egg through the maturation process, there is absolutely no chance that the blood can be bright red.

3. Increased Sex Drive:

Many women have noticed an increase in their libido while they are ovulating. It’s just the mother nature’s way of telling you that your body is ready to make the baby. Sex drive can be influenced by other factors too like physical intimacy or getting drunk but having an unusual increase in sex drive without having any other influence by external factors makes it quite certain that you are ovulating.

4. Cervical Changes:

Your cervix and vaginal changes will feel softer at the time of ovulation. It will be high and feel more open too. But as soon as ovulation stops the cervix becomes hard and vagina feels a little dry too. This change might not feel that noticeable at first. You will become more aware of them as you start to notice that they actually exist. You might also feel wetter down there. This is because estrogen is at its peak during the time of ovulation and it plays a major role in any changes associated with vaginal mucus. During ovulation, the vaginal discharge is more transparent and stretchy. It resembles egg whites. Stretchy and Gooey discharge helps the sperm to float from the vaginal canal to the uterus and helps in fertilization. Many doctors actually consider this the best way to find out whether you are ovulating or not without having to waste your money on expensive ovulation sticks. Mucus becomes whitish and less stretchy after ovulation is over and egg starts to break down along with uterine lining to shed at the time of menstruation.

5. Basal Body Temperature:

Basal body temperature remains stable before ovulation drops during ovulation and increasing suddenly after ovulation before stabilizing once again. You can easily get a basal thermometer at any medical store near you.

6. Pain On One Side Of The Stomach:

This pain occurs near the ovaries and is called mittelschmerz, a German term for ‘middle pain’. It generally occurs on just one side of the abdomen. One of the reasons for the cramping could be the contraction of fallopian tubes whilst the egg is traveling through it. Pain is not severe and goes away with normal pain killer. If the pain is severe, contact your doctor as it could be an indication of endometriosis or cysts.