Symptoms of ovulation - what is worth knowing

What is ovulation?

Throughout the entire menstrual cycle, a series of processes controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus occur in a woman's body. The changes that can be observed mainly concern the ovaries and the uterine lining, and the mentioned ovulation is one of the stages of the whole process, during which the ovarian follicle ruptures and releases a mature sex cell into the fallopian tube. It is precisely there that the egg cell is in the proper form and place for fertilization to occur.

When does ovulation occur?

According to the book, ovulation should take place 14 days before the start of the next menstruation, which typically falls around the 14th day of the cycle. However, due to differences in individual physiology and external factors, the timing of ovulation can vary for each woman, causing it not to occur precisely halfway through the menstrual cycle. To accurately track fertile days, it's necessary to determine the moment of ovulation. In reality, ovulation marks the beginning of a woman's natural cycle, but because it's difficult to pinpoint precisely, it's conventionally accepted that the first day of menstruation marks the beginning of the cycle since it's easier to identify.

Is it worth knowing when fertile days are?

Definitely yes. Understanding the individual menstrual cycle is crucial when planning to expand the family or, conversely, when using natural contraception. From a technical standpoint, there are several methods: the temperature-only method, symptothermal method (Billings), sympto-thermal method, and calendar/rhythm method (Ogino-Knaus, the calendar method is not currently recognized by any family planning organization). It's important to note that family planning is not a contraceptive method but rather a way to determine the fertility phase.

When does ovulation occur, and when is fertilization possible?

During ovulation, the egg released from the ovarian follicle is capable of fertilization for only a short time (approximately 6-18 hours), after which it degrades. However, this doesn't mean that intercourse should only occur during this time for fertilization to happen. In the acidic pH of the vagina, sperm can survive for up to 2-3 days, with some sources even suggesting up to 5 days. This means that fertilization can occur several hours or even days after intercourse when "waiting" sperm encounter a mature egg.

These two factors—the timing of ovulation and the time elapsed since intercourse—are crucial when opting for natural contraception. To accurately determine the brief ovulation period, it's valuable to know its symptoms.

How to get pregnant? – 10 symptoms to recognize ovulation

Ovulation and elevated body temperature

Every woman has her basal body temperature (BBT)—this is the value measured during complete rest, such as in the morning just after waking up, before getting out of bed—even a quick trip to the bathroom can affect the accuracy of the measurement. BBT is typically achieved after a minimum of 4-5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It's also worth noting that each woman may have a different basal temperature, and individual changes can occur depending on various factors, including hormones. Measurements should be taken:

with the same ovulation thermometer throughout the cycle;

every day (except during menstruation) at the same time (early in the morning, even on weekends);

after a well-rested night (disrupted or shortened sleep, jet lag, excessive alcohol consumption earlier, illnesses, and medications can affect measurement results);

before getting out of bed, just after waking up.

Temperature can fluctuate depending on the stage of the cycle. A slight temperature change (increase of about 0.2 – 0.6︒C) lasting for about three days may indicate ovulation.

Ovulatory pain

Some women complain of unilateral pain in the lower abdomen during ovulation. This is often another natural side effect of the ovulation process. It's usually felt as a dull ache or sharp, stabbing pain located on the right or left side of the abdomen (depending on which ovary released the egg). It typically lasts from several minutes to 1-2 days. If the pain is exceptionally intense, and its duration prolonged, consulting a doctor is recommended.

Change in cervical mucus consistency and color in the vagina

Cervical mucus, the fluid or gel-like secretion of the cervix, changes its appearance and quantity throughout the entire cycle due to fluctuations in hormone levels that stimulate cervical mucus production. Although the quantity, color, and consistency of mucus can vary for each woman at each stage of the cycle, certain characteristic features are distinguished for individual cycle stages.

Before ovulation – mucus may be white, yellow, or cloudy, with a sticky or stretchy consistency.

Just before ovulation – estrogen levels in the body increase. The mucus is clearer, watery, slippery, and stretchy, resembling egg whites in consistency.

During ovulation – the mucus is very clear and stretchy, with its consistency also resembling that of chicken egg whites. During this time, the pH and texture of the mucus favor the presence of sperm.

After ovulation – the amount of discharge decreases, and its color and consistency return to those before ovulation: cloudy and sticky. Dryness may sometimes occur during this period.

For some women, mucus is present all the time, and its characteristics during the cycle vary only slightly in appearance. It's challenging to rely on mucus as a source of information for determining fertile days.

In general, mucus (even bloody) that occurs before the 3rd day after the temperature rise or if bleeding (without mucus) occurs before this day should be treated equally with fertile mucus.

Ovulatory spotting

Some women experience bleeding during ovulation—this is entirely normal. However, how to distinguish natural spotting during ovulation from symptoms that may worry us?

A very small group of women (about 5%) experience the mentioned light bleeding just before, during, or right after ovulation. It occurs due to changes in hormone levels, which can cause shedding of the uterine lining. This bleeding is much lighter than regular menstruation, lasts for one or two days, and occurs only once during the cycle. If the course and intensity of bleeding, as well as other accompanying symptoms, are severe, a visit to the doctor is recommended due to the possibility of other factors causing bleeding.

Acne changes indicating ovulation

Just before or during ovulation, many women notice an improvement in their complexion. Increased estrogen levels stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, causing cell regeneration, resulting in firmer skin, smaller pores, and milder skin changes (e.g., acne).

Breast tenderness

Here, too, the main cause may be hormonal changes causing breast or nipple pain and tenderness. Such symptoms can be observed before, during, and after both ovulation and menstruation.