What are the signs of ovulation?

What are the signs of ovulation?

Ovulation is when one of your ovaries releases an egg. Hormone changes around that time cause signs you can notice or measure.

Not everyone has every sign, and you can ovulate without feeling anything. Common signs include:

• Cervical mucus that becomes wetter, clear and slippery, like raw egg white.
• A positive ovulation test, which picks up a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine.
• A small, lasting rise in your basal body temperature, your temperature at rest when you first wake up.
• Mild, one-sided pain or cramping low in your belly, called mittelschmerz.
• A higher amount of discharge than usual in the days before ovulation.

When does ovulation happen in your cycle?

Ovulation usually happens 10 to 16 days before your next period starts. In a regular 28-day cycle, that's often around day 14, counting the first day of your period as day 1.

Normal cycles range from 21 to 35 days, and the days before ovulation vary the most. That's why ovulation can move from month to month, even in the same person.

What does ovulation discharge look like?

Your cervical mucus changes through your cycle. Watching it each day can show you when your fertile days are coming.

• Right after your period: dry, with little or no mucus.
• Next: sticky or rubbery, white or cloudy.
• Then: wet and creamy, which means you're getting more fertile.
• Just before ovulation: clear, slippery and stretchy like raw egg white, your most fertile days.
• After ovulation: drier again, or thick and tacky.

Does your temperature go up when you ovulate?

Yes. After ovulation, your basal body temperature usually rises by about 0.4 to 0.8°F (about 0.2 to 0.4°C) and stays higher until your next period.

Because the rise comes after the egg is released, it tells you ovulation has already happened. Almost everyone has ovulated within 3 days of the rise. After a few months of charting, you can see your own pattern.

Take your temperature every morning at the same time, before you get out of bed, with a basal thermometer. Alcohol, poor sleep, a fever or getting up first can all change the reading.

How do ovulation tests work?

Ovulation tests check your urine for a surge in LH, the hormone that tells your ovary to release an egg. A positive result means you'll likely ovulate in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Start testing 3 to 5 days before you expect to ovulate. In a 28-day cycle, that's around day 11. Missing a day can mean missing the surge.

Tests can be harder to read if your cycles are irregular, and some medicines change LH levels. Don't drink a lot of fluid right before testing.

Is it normal to have pain during ovulation?

Yes. About 1 in 5 people get pain around ovulation. It's usually a sharp or cramping pain on one side of the lower belly that lasts minutes to a few hours, and sometimes up to 24 to 48 hours.

It can switch sides from month to month. Ovulation pain isn't harmful, but other conditions can cause similar pain, so mention it to your doctor if it changes or worries you. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help; follow the label and check with a pharmacist if you have other conditions.

When are you most fertile?

You're most fertile in the few days before ovulation and on the day itself. An egg lives for less than 24 hours after it's released, but sperm can survive inside your body for several days.

That means sex in the days before ovulation gives you the best chance of getting pregnant. Ovulation signs are not a reliable way to avoid pregnancy, so ask your doctor about birth control if that's your goal.