Signs of ovulation aren’t difficult to notice, once you know what to look for. Some signs of ovulation help warn you that ovulation is approaching, allowing you to time sex for pregnancy. Other signs of ovulation let you know that ovulation has passed. While there are many methods below, don’t think that you should use them all. That would drive you crazy and have you thinking about getting pregnant even more than you probably already do. (Something I don’t suggest!)
If you don’t notice any signs of ovulation, or your periods are irregular, you should definitely let your doctor know. This information may help your doctor make a diagnosis of infertility.
Sign of Ovulation #1 -- Cervical Mucus Changes
As ovulation approaches, your cervical mucus changes in amount and consistency. When you’re not ovulating, cervical mucus may appear sticky or creamy, or may be entirely absent. As ovulation approaches, cervical mucus become more abundant, takes on a watery to raw-egg-white-like consistency, and stretches up to an inch or more between your fingers.
Pros:- 100% free.
- Considered to be one of the most accurate indicators for timing sex for pregnancy.
- Get to know your body better.
- Some people are grossed out by the idea.
- Not a definite sign. You can have fertile cervical mucus, and not ovulate. (Common in women with PCOS.)
- Clomid or antihistamines may dry up your cervical mucus, which may make detection difficult.
More about ovulation and cervical mucus:
Sign of Ovulation #2 – Increased Sexual Desire
Turns out nature does know what it’s doing (sometimes, anyway.) Research has shown what many of us already notice: Women experience an increase in sexual desire when they are most fertile. This is a couple days before you ovulate, which is the right time to have sex if you want to get pregnant.
Pros:- Doesn’t require any know-how. Just being in tune with your feelings.
- Worse comes to worse, if you have sex and you weren’t about to ovulate, you still (hopefully) had a nice time with your partner. Nothing lost!
- The stress of trying to conceive can squash sexual feelings. Also, depression or anxiety, common in couples coping with infertility, can lower sexual desire.
- It’s not a definite sign of ovulation. You may notice an increase in sexual desire at any time in your cycle, including right before your period, or even after watching a great Johnny Depp or Pierce Brosnan movie. (Or maybe that’s just me.)
More on ovulation and sex:
- In the Mood? You May Be Ovulating!
- Are You Timing Sex Right for Pregnancy?
- How Often Should You Have Sex To Get Pregnant?
Sign of Ovulation #3 – Body Basal Temperature Changes
Body basal temperature charting is perhaps the most popular method of tracking ovulation among women trying to get pregnant. Your body basal temperature will rise by a few tenths of a degree, and stay elevated, after ovulation. This rise in temperature is caused by the hormone progesterone, which increases immediate after ovulation. By charting your body basal temperature, you can detect this increase in temperature. Pros:- If your temperature rises, you can be almost positive that you ovulated.
- It’s low cost, and almost free (except for the purchase of a thermometer, which you probably already have).
- May help your doctor make a diagnosis.
- Won’t warn you that ovulation is coming, but only confirm that it has passed.
- If your sleep patterns are unusually erratic, or you work the nightshift, body basal temperature charting will probably not work for you.
- Some women feel overwhelmed by taking their temperature every morning. Also, worrying about every little fluctuation in temperature can make some women more anxious than they already are. It can easily become a bit of an obsession.
More on body basal temperature charting and ovulation:
- Step-by-Step Instructions on Charting Your Body Basal Temperature
- How to Take Your Body Basal Temperature
- What Is Your Body Basal Temperature?
Sign of Ovulation #4 – Changes in Cervical Position
Just as your cervical mucus changes as ovulation approaches, your cervical position also goes through changes. When you’re most fertile, your cervix will be higher, softer, and more open.
Pros:- It’s free.
- Get to know your body better.
- May help you figure out if you’re ovulating, even when your cervical mucus is drier from Clomid or antihistamines.
- Takes practice to get a feel (no pun intended) for the differences.
- Some people are grossed out by the idea.
- Not a definite sign of ovulation. Like with cervical mucus, you can have fertile cervical signs but not actually ovulate.
More on cervical position:
Sign of Ovulation #5 -- Breast Tenderness
Some women experience tenderness in their breasts just before or after ovulation. This is related to the hormones rushing in your body, getting ready for the potential of pregnancy. For me personally, the last confirmation I have that ovulation has occurred is breast tenderness.
Pros:- It’s free.
- Helps you get to know your body better.
- It’s by no means an accurate indicator of ovulation.
- Breast tenderness may come before or after ovulation, as well as right before menstruation and as a side effect of some fertility drugs.
- Getting too obsessed about how tender your breasts feel can lead obsessing over imaginary pregnancy symptoms.
More on imaginary pregnancy symptoms:
Click to continue to the next page, for more signs of ovulation.
