If you go to a coffee shop and ask a group of women when they ovulate, chances are you’ll get a lot of answers. While most people know what ovulation is, others don’t know when it happens, how long it lasts, and when you can expect it to end. So how do you know when you’re ovulating? Are the signs really that obvious?
When does ovulation occur?
Ovulation it doesn’t just happen out of the blue. It usually occurs in or around the middle of your menstrual cycle 14-15 days after your period first starts. But this can vary depending on how long or short your cycle is. In general, if you have a 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs about 14 days before your expected period.
If you’re a regular and predictable period person, it’s easier to track your ovulation and stay on top of your business. If your period is unpredictable or inconsistent, tracking ovulation can be more difficult. This also applies to people with certain health conditions that can affect ovulation, including PCOS, thyroid dysfunction and hormonal imbalances.
How long does ovulation last?
Although this may come as a surprise, ovulation is the moment when your egg leaves its follicle. After that, it hangs in the fallopian tube, where fertilization takes place, and can live for 24 hours. But it’s important to note that your fertile window extends beyond the day you ovulate. From Sperm can remain in the female reproductive tract for up to six daysthere is a chance you could get pregnant before you ovulate.
When exactly can I get pregnant?
It is generally estimated that Women have about six days in their cycle when conception is possible. This includes the day of ovulation as well as the days leading up to it. This of course can vary from person to person, with your chances of getting pregnant changing from day to day.
What about delayed ovulation?
And just when you think you’ve dealt with ovulation, we’re here to burst your bubble and let you know that delayed ovulation can happen too. Some women just happen to have a longer first part of their cycle! In this case, ovulation will occur later.
Is ovulation really that complicated?
Wrong… Yes and no. Some women ovulate at the same time each month like clockwork. Others don’t. As with everything in life, we are all different. While we can advise on ovulation in a general sense, it is important to remember that human beings are complex. Your situation may look different than your bestie – and that’s okay!
So, how do you know you’re ovulating?
Now we get to the good part! Once you know when you’re likely to ovulate, you can track your next ovulation date using a simple calendar. Many women prefer to use a handy calculator or the Hormona app for more accuracy. This helps you track your ovulation each month, while also detailing what to expect hormonally. But there are also general symptoms that you should watch out for.
Typical symptoms
While apps and calculators have their place, sometimes it can help to rely on good ol’ Mother Nature. How do you know you’re ovulating? Well, for starters, notice it under the signs:
- Discharge changes: When you ovulate, your cervical mucus becomes clear and thin with a slippery consistency – similar to the feel and texture of egg whites. Many women can detect this change in their underwear.
- Increased libido: You may find yourself with an increased sex drive just before and during ovulation. Thanks to your ovaries producing more testosterone, ovulation usually coincides with feeling flirtatious and lively. After you’ve finished ovulating, your sex drive should ease up a bit.
- Changes in the vulva: Although this is not generally the case, some women notice that their labia swell during ovulation and go away afterwards.
You may also experience the following symptoms, although they are not necessarily specific to ovulation:
- Tender breasts: The change in hormones during ovulation can lead to tender breasts and nipples.
- Have your bathroom trips become regular again? Chances are you are ovulating!
- Happier Mood: You’ve noticed you’re in one extremely good mood out of the blue? This could be a telltale sign that you are ovulating.
- Appetite changes: Many women find themselves with a decreased appetite just before ovulation. This tends to return soon after ovulation.
Monitor your body temperature
If you want to be very aware of your ovulation schedule, you can also record your basal body temperature, or BBT, using a special thermometer. During and after ovulation, most women’s BBT increases. This can also be very helpful for women who want to identify when they are most fertile.
Take a test
To track your most fertile days, you could get one Ovulation Test. Monitoring estrogen and luteinizing hormone, AKA LH, these specialized tests can help determine the cause of ovulation.
Most women experience an LH surge 1 to 2 days before ovulation, combined with a peak of estrogen about 24 hours before, and this is what triggers the release of an egg. Once ovulation is over, you can expect both estrogen and LH levels to drop again.
Progesterone monitoring
While estrogen and LH levels drop after ovulation, progesterone goes against the grain and rises. To be sure that ovulation is over, check your progesterone level. It can be a telltale sign that ovulation was successful if you have noticed a sudden increase.
Now what?
Although ovulation can seem a bit complicated, all it takes is knowing your individual cycle and the signs. And one of the best ways to do this is by monitoring your hormones and symptoms. And what better way to do that than with the Hormona app! You can track and monitor your most common symptoms, get daily information on what your hormones are doing, and create a detailed record of what’s going on in your body. I’ll see you there!
