5 Signs of Ovulation
If you are not a fan of the idea of taking your temperature daily to figure out when you will likely to be ovulating, do not worry. There are other options.
In fact, some women just know when they are ovulating because of changes to their body. And if you would like to track ovulation with your BBT (basal body temperature), that is still a very valid method.
Here are five more signs of ovulation you can look for.
1. Sexual desire
Just as a female animal goes into heat, most women experience increased sexual desire around ovulation. Evolutionary-speaking, it makes good sense because this is the time of your cycle when you are most fertile. Actually, it is the only time in your cycle when you can get pregnant.
2. Cramping
Some women experience light cramping during ovulation. It may feel similar to light period cramping, but there is no blood to follow. It will also likely only be on one side, as your body will release a mature egg from only one ovary each cycle. This phenomenon is called mittelshmerz (German for middle pain), and it does not happen to everyone. So, if you do not experience cramping, do not worry. You may still be ovulating. If you do experience mittelshmerz, though, ovulation will be obvious to you.
3. Breast tenderness
If your breasts begin feeling tender towards the middle of your cycle, you are probably ovulating. Many women who are not tracking their cycles confuse this with the onset of their menstrual period, especially if it comes along with mittelsmertz, but it can be a sure-fire sign of ovulation when it happens about two weeks before your next period. Also, during ovulation, breast tenderness will not be followed by bleeding as it would during your period.
4. Cervical mucus
Even if you are not paying attention to your cycle, you will probably notice an obvious increase in cervical mucus around ovulation. This is your cervical mucus changing. Before ovulation, you may notice that your cervical mucus becomes creamy. When you are about to ovulate, your cervical mucus will most likely become slippery, increase in volume and resemble a raw egg whites consistency. During ovulation, the slippery cervical mucus helps sperm make their way to the egg.
5. Desire to “look pretty”
Although you clearly look pretty every day of the month, women are more likely to wear makeup, style their hair and wear nicer clothes when they are ovulating. Some women have also been known to be more flirtatious during ovulation. So, if you notice yourself wanting to make more of an effort on your appearance, you may be ovulating. Sit back and think about the other signs and whether you are experiencing those as well.
Phil Druce, from OvulationCalendar.com, a fertility tracking website says, “Tracking your cycles can be an effective way to predict ovulation. Most women ovulate about 15 days before their next period, so if you know your average cycle length you can use this information to estimate ovulation.”
Author: Dr Zeenobiyah McGowan Ph.D., an expert on women's health and helping couples conceive naturally. Dr McGowan is a mother of one beautiful girl. She founded Impact Humanity, a charity which helps under privileged children get the basic necessities like food and education in Kenya.