Ovulation: Top 5 Signs That Tell You When You Are Ovulating

Before the advent of ovulation predictor kits, women around the world traced their ovulation period by tracking their menstrual cycle. It is the simplest way to detect your ovulation period. First and foremost, you need to figure out your menstrual cycle. To understand your menstrual cycle, start counting days from the first day of your period till the first day of your next period. The number you derive is referred to as your menstrual cycle.

The number may change every month. Hence, you need to monitor your cycle for a few months, to understand your menstrual cycle. An average menstrual cycle can be anywhere between 28-45 days. Ovulation generally occurs midway through your menstrual cycle, to be precise 14 days after you start counting. Needless to say, if you get your period on time it is not only easy to track your ovulation period but it also increases your chance of conceiving.

2. Ovulating Brings Changes In Cervical Mucus

As your body prepares for period and ovulation there is a noticeable change in your discharge or cervical mucus. As soon as your period ends, your body won’t produce any discharge, but like you, near your period date, the discharge will increase gradually.

It will be white and sometimes cloudy, but when you are about to ovulate or are ovulating the discharge becomes clearer and transparent. When the discharge appears clearer and thinner it is an indication that you are ovulating. Here is how to check your cervical mucus for ovulation.

3. Change In Basal Body Temperature

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) refers to the exact temperature of a body when it is at rest. You need a special thermometer to check your BBT which is easily available at any well-stocked chemist shop. In the first half of your menstrual cycle (before ovulation occurs) your BBT drops and in the second half (during ovulation) it rises suddenly. This is a clear indication you are ovulating. To measure your BBT you need to chart your temperature with a BBT thermometer, first thing in the morning and as soon as you wake up.

Your body should be in a state of rest, when you take the temperature, which means, you have to take the temperature asap, without even sitting up and before eating or drinking anything. Start taking your temperature on the first day of your period itself. It will help you to understand and note down even the slight changes in the BBT and will also effectively help you to identify your ovulation period, precisely

4. Middle Pain And Tenderness Of The Breasts

Mittelschmerz also known as middle pain is that sharp pain you feel in the lower abdomen and pelvic region halfway through your cycle. This is another sign that you are ovulating. The pain may vary from person to person and some women might not even feel the pain.

But if you are among the ones that do get middle pain, it could be a good way to detect your ovulation period. Also, when you ovulate, the breast and the nipple region become especially sensitive. You might get a tingling sensation in the nipples and the breasts might feel heavier than usual.

5. Notice The Change In Cervix

Your body always gives you indications and signs before anything happens, be it cramps before periods or changes in the cervix during ovulation. It not only gives you signs but also prepares itself for what could happen. Normally, your cervix, which is the narrow path between your uterus and the vagina is hard and closed.

But during ovulation, the cervix becomes soft, more open, and a little wet as well. To track your ovulation simply by observing the changes in your cervix, you need to observe it throughout the month to understand how it feels when it is closed, with regular practice over the course of a few months, you will be able to accurately predict whether or not you are ovulating

Apart from these 5 signs, during ovulation, you will also have an acute sense of smell and increased sex drive. During ovulation as your body prepares to conceive it also readies itself for coitus. Your skin will feel softer and your lips fuller as your body is preparing for copulation or sex. Another sure-shot way of detecting your ovulation period is by using Ovulation Predictor Kits which are readily available on the market and give accurate results. You can also take the help of ovulation predictor kits- read more about them here.