7 Signs Of Ovulation

While the menstrual cycle is typically associated with a woman’s period, it also encompasses ovulation (the window of a few days where you’re most likely to get pregnant) which comes with its own set of symptoms that can affect your day-to-day activities or conception plans. Some women may look for an ovulation predictor kit to increase the odds of getting pregnant, while others may want to know when to expect cramping or other symptoms.

When does ovulation start and what signs suggest the days you’re most fertile? Here’s what experts say you can expect.

What Is Ovulation?

Ovulation occurs when an egg is released from the ovary. In a regular menstrual cycle, this typically happens two weeks before your period starts.

Ovulation signals the end of the follicular phase—which is characterized by the shedding of the uterus lining and menstrual bleeding. It occurs right before the luteal phase, in which the uterus lining thickens again.

“The menstrual cycle is centered around the ovulation of an egg into the fallopian tube, which connects the ovary to the uterus,” says Lucky Sekhon, M.D., a medical expert for the period tracking app Flo and a reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York. “If an egg is fertilized by sperm, it may slowly develop into an embryo over the course of a week, making its way toward the uterus where it can then implant and grow into a pregnancy.”

“If the ovulated egg doesn’t result in a pregnancy, the estrogen and progesterone [types of steroid hormones responsible for regulating reproduction] coming from the ovary where the egg was released plummet, and the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds, leading to a period,” she says.

Though ovulation occurs in the middle of a menstrual cycle, pinpointing the exact day can be a challenge, especially if a woman has an irregular menstrual cycle. Data suggest that up to 35% of women have irregular cycles not lasting the typical average of 28 to 30 days[1] (although other experts note a normal cycle can range between 21 to 35 days).

When Does Ovulation Occur?

Even if you don’t have a regular cycle, you can still determine when ovulation occurs by tracking backward from the day your period begins, says Serena H. Chen, M.D., chief of reproductive endocrinology at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, and medical advisor for Oova, a fertility diagnostic company.

“Theoretically in a 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs around the middle of the cycle,” says Dr. Chen. “For people who don’t have 28-day cycles, we can estimate the ovulation date in retrospect because we know the luteal phase—the phase after ovulation—is about 10 to 14 days. So, if you have a 35-day cycle, we can estimate you ovulated around day 20 to 25, but this is all done retrospectively.”

This isn’t very helpful for women who may be trying to conceive and have menstrual cycles that vary each month. Dr. Sekhon acknowledges in these cases, it can make it impossible to anticipate when ovulation is happening. However, “aside from relying on your menstrual pattern to project when ovulation will take place, there are also physical signs and symptoms that can help determine when you are ovulating,” she says.

Zocdoc helps you find and book top-rated doctors, on demand. Visit them in their offices, or video chat with them from home.

Check out doctors in your area.

Signs of Ovulation

The following physical signs suggest you’re ovulating, experts and research suggest.

Changes in Cervical Mucus

Some women experience an increase in cervical mucus, a watery discharge causing dampness, during ovulation. Increased cervical mucus is a sign of estrogen going up prior to ovulation, says Dr. Chen.

Indeed, reports of a rise in cervical fluid and ovulation have been confirmed via ultrasound[2]. Cervical mucus varies throughout the cycle, but at its peak is often noticed as dampness or wetness in your underwear, with discharge appearing thick, creamy or even like a raw egg white.

Rise in Basal Body Temperature

Basal body temperature is defined as your “lowest resting body temperature.” Your basal body temperature rises during ovulation, though only by half a degree or less. If that higher temperature stays steady for three days or more, it could signal ovulation. You can track daily changes to determine ovulation using a special basal body thermometer that measures your temperature in tiny increments.

Pelvic Cramping

Some women may experience pelvic cramping, especially on the side of the ovary where ovulation is occurring. “When the egg bursts from the fluid-filled follicle, this is ovulation,” says Dr. Sekhon. “This may be felt as an intense cramp on one side of the lower abdomen or pelvis called mittelschmerz [German for middle pain].”

One small study of about 50 women found that reported mittelschmerz occurred on the same side as verified follicular rupture, which is when the ovary has released the egg, in 86% of participants, meaning this pain may be an indication that ovulation is or has recently occurred[3].

Breast Tenderness

Breast tenderness has been noted as a possible sign of ovulation. This is due to the rise in progesterone that occurs after ovulation, says Dr. Sekhon.

Vulval Swelling

Another reported side effect—again, due to progesterone—is vulval swelling, which occurs on the outside of the genitals. It may be useful as a secondary measure of ovulation, in concurrence with tracking cervical mucus and basal body temperature, research suggests.

Backache

The increase in progesterone after ovulation can have a relaxing effect on the body, according to Dr. Sekhon. Because of this, some people may experience ligament laxity—back pain due to shifting in the spine—which is why a backache is an associated symptom of ovulation.

Perception of Facial Features

Research has found a peculiar body change—the perception of facial attractiveness after ovulation. One study used pictures of 48 women’s faces, some taken during the follicular phase (before ovulation) and others in the luteal phase (after ovulation), and asked 130 males and 131 females to select which photos they found more attractive. Over 50% of respondents noted those taken soon after ovulation were more attractive, and while unable to determine exactly which “visible cues” occurred in conjunction with ovulation, researchers did confirm their existence.