Ovulation is a normal part of every woman’s menstrual cycle, and yet, many women don’t know too much about it. Sure you know ovulation occurs on a monthly basis, but there is far more to it than that. For starters, ovulation is the release of an egg from a woman’s ovary. Unless it is fertilized, the egg will only live for about 24 hours. On average, a woman will only ovulate about 400 times in her entire lifetime. Whether you are trying to conceive or trying to avoid becoming pregnant, it’s important to know the telltale signs of ovulation. These signs can vary from woman to woman, and some women may not experience any signs at all. Still, recognizing the signals your body is sending can be vital in helping you predict when your ovulation will begin.
A Change in Your Cervical Fluids
Since the biological purpose of ovulation is for you to get pregnant, your body functions to help move sperm into your uterus while you are ovulating. This leads to an increase in estrogen, which can make your cervical fluid become thicker and resemble egg whites. The change in the consistency of your cervical fluid should be very noticeable.
There May Be Slight Pain
Some women will experience pain in their midsection when the egg is released. This is commonly known as mittleschmerz, the German term for “middle pain.” The level of pain can vary greatly from person-to-person with some saying they feel a minor twinge, while others go to the ER thinking that they have appendicitis. The pain can last anywhere between a few minutes to 48 hours. You should see your board-certified gynecologist if your ovulation pain is severe or lasts longer than three days, as this could be a sign of gynecological conditions like endometriosis.
A Change in Your Basal Body Temperature
Your resting body temperature (known as your basal body temperature) increases slightly during ovulation. Women can use a specially designed thermometer to measure their basal body temperature every morning. When it starts to increase, you’ll know ovulation has begun.
These are not the only signs of ovulation, just the most common ones. Some women may experience additional symptoms including spotting, abdominal bloating, increased sex drive, and heightened senses. It’s important to reiterate that ovulation symptoms vary from woman to woman. Not experiencing these signs does not necessarily mean that you are not ovulating and it’s important to take the necessary precautions if you do not want to become pregnant. For more information or to request an appointment with board-certified gynecologist Dr. Kristine Gould, please contact Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more tips, news, and updates on our upcoming health & wellness events like our Ladies Rejuvenation Seminar this September.
