12 Ways to Know Ovulation Signs for Pregnancy Planning

Written By Egbodo Peter

You can forecast when your cycle will be most fruitful. Find more about the physical indicators of ovulation, including as discharge, cervical mucus, and cramping.

If you’re currently trying to conceive, learning to recognize the signs of ovulation—such as changes in vaginal discharge, slight cramping, and a rise in basal body temperature—can be a key factor in your success.

Your body releases a mature egg from your ovary after ovulation, and the egg remains in the reproductive system for 12 to 24 hours.1. You will receive a positive pregnancy test result if the egg is fertilized by sperm and successfully implants in the uterine lining. However, you will have to wait until the next month to try again if you miss the fertilisation window.

By learning to identify the physical signs and symptoms of ovulation, you can properly time intercourse to boost your odds of getting pregnant. Here’s what you need to know.

Ovulation Signs and Symptoms

Not everyone will experience ovulation symptoms. That said, if you’re paying attention to your body, you might recognize a few ovulation signs that indicate you’re at the most fertile time in your cycle.

Here are some signs and symptoms that ovulation is coming or that ovulation has just occurred.

• Positive Ovulation Test: These tests detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that precedes ovulation. A positive result indicates that ovulation is likely to occur within the next 12-36 hours.
• Cramping on One Side of The Body: Some women experience mild abdominal pain or cramping on one side (mittelschmerz) around the time of ovulation. This is often due to the release of the egg from the ovary.
• Rise in Basal Body Temperature: Tracking your BBT with a basal body thermometer can help you detect the slight increase in temperature that occurs after ovulation. This rise typically lasts until your next period and indicates that ovulation has already taken place.
• Increased Sex Drive: Hormonal changes during ovulation can lead to an increase in libido, which may be noticeable for some women.
• Changes in Cervical Mucus: Around ovulation, cervical mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, resembling raw egg whites. This type of mucus facilitates sperm movement and indicates fertile days.
• Breast Tenderness: Some women may experience breast tenderness or swelling due to hormonal fluctuations during ovulation.
• Heightened Sense of Smell or Taste: Hormonal changes can also affect your senses, leading to increased sensitivity to smells or tastes.
• Light Spotting: Spotting or a small amount of bleeding may occur around the time of ovulation for some women.
• Abdominal Bloating: Hormonal changes can cause fluid retention and bloating, which some women may notice around ovulation.
• Mood and Appetite Changes: Fluctuations in hormones can influence mood and appetite in some women.
• Changes in cervix: The position, texture, and openness of the cervix may change around ovulation. It may become higher, softer, and more open.
• Ferning Pattern in Your Saliva: Hormonal changes during ovulation can lead to an increase in libido, which may be noticeable for some women.

Even while visible signs of ovulation are frequently reliable indicators of fertility, some people would rather adopt a more scientific perspective. For instance, you can assess the quantity of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine using at-home ovulation predictor kits; LH levels normally rise 36 hours before to the onset of ovulation.

Furthermore, ovulation can be predicted using internet calculators, and fertility monitors can help you determine the most fertile days for having intercourse.

As usual, don’t hesitate to contact an OB-GYN(is a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology) or other healthcare professional if you have any queries or worries regarding ovulation.