Whether it is to increase the likelihood of conception or to prevent it, many women would like to know when they are ovulating. However, many signs of ovulation go by unnoticed unless women take the time to learn about what the physical ovulation symptoms are and how to spot them when they occur.
Cervical Fluid Changes
As a woman approaches ovulation, estrogen causes her cervical fluid to turn from thick, white and sticky to clear and watery in substance. During ovulation, the cervical fluid is stretchy and resembles egg whites, and it can work to assist sperm in reaching the egg. After ovulation ends, cervical fluid begins to decrease and to thicken and return to the previous white, sticky, non-fertile state.
Cervix Changes
The cervix also experiences many changes during ovulation, explains Toni Weschler in her book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." A woman can monitor changes in her cervix by placing an index finger into the vagina and feeling the cervix. At the beginning of a woman's menstrual cycle, the cervix will be firm and feel similar to the tip of a nose. However, as ovulation approaches, the cervix will begin to soften. During ovulation, the cervix will be the softest it will be all month and will feel similar to the lips of the mouth. The cervix also changes position, starting low in the beginning of the mouth and getting higher and higher until ovulation occurs. It then slowly returns back to its original low position.
Aches or Cramps
About 20 percent of women feel aches, cramping or twinges of pains in their ovaries while ovulating, says BabyCenter.com. This condition can last for only a few minutes or a few hours and is called mittelschmerz.
Spotting
A light pinkish, brownish or red spotting may also occur as an egg is released, according to the American Pregnancy Association. This spotting typically only lasts a day or two and is very light.
Increased Libido
The hormones that trigger ovulation also work to increase a woman's sex drive, explains the American Pregnancy Association. This may have developed from a biological standpoint to increase the likelihood of conception.
Elevated Luteinizing Hormone
Although this sign is not noticeable unless an ovulation test is taken, a woman experiences a surge in the luteinizing hormone (LH) right before she ovulates. Over-the-counter ovulation predictor kits can detect this LH surge and may be useful for women trying to conceive a baby.
Increased Basal Body Temperature
The temperature of a woman when she first wakes up, before she even gets out of bed, is called a basal body temperature. This temperature becomes elevated during ovulation, usually 0.4 to 1.0 of a degree, according to BabyCenter.com, because of the increase in the hormone progesterone. The basal body temperature stays elevated for the rest of the cycle until menstruation occurs.
References
- Taking Charge of Your Fertility; Toni Weschler; 2001
- BabyCenter: Detecting Ovulation
- American Pregnancy Association: Ovulation FAQs
