Signs of ovulation can vary for each person, while some women will not experience ovulation symptoms at all. The time of ovulation also differs for each woman; some will ovulate on the same day of their cycle every month, while others may ovulate on varying days. Ovulation is a large part of getting pregnant, so it is important to be familiar with ovulation and how it works.
Signs of Ovulation
Change in Cervical Fluid: Cervical fluid that resembles “egg whites” can be a sign of ovulation or being near ovulation, although not all cervical fluid looks the same for every woman. Ovulation typically takes place on the day a woman has the most fluid.
Change in Cervical Position/Firmness: During ovulation, the cervix is soft, high, open, and wet. As the cervix goes through many changes during ovulation, it may take time to differentiate between what your cervix normally feels like and the changes it goes through during ovulation.
Changes in Basal Body Temperature: The basal body temperature is usually consistent before ovulation, but as a woman gets closer to ovulation, it may decline slightly and then have a sharp increase after ovulation. Tracking your basal body temperature over the course of a few months can help you predict when you will ovulate, as the increase in temperature is a sign that ovulation has occurred.
Secondary Ovulation Symptoms
Women may experience other ovulation signs in addition to the three main symptoms. They may not happen consistently, or at all, and are known as secondary signs. The secondary signs may include the following:
- Breast tenderness
- Light spotting
- Slight cramping or pain on one side of the pelvis
- Abdominal bloating
- Heightened sense of smell, taste, or vision
- Increased sex drive
Learning to understand your ovulation time can help you become more familiar with your body and take action during that time if you wish to conceive.
NCCRM
The North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine/Talbert Fertility Institute is the premiere center for reproductive health in North Carolina and the East Coast. Our team specializes in fertility testing, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility conditions. We’re experts in IVF, Tubal Ligation Reversal, Male Infertility, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Gestation Surrogacy, Family Balancing, and more. Contact us today.
