Ovulation is the process that involves the release of a mature egg to be available for fertilization. During ovulation, couples will have a short time period to try and conceive.
It is therefore very important to recognize the symptoms of ovulation to increase the chances of pregnancy. BellyBelly shared some of the most common signs that a woman is already ovulating.
1. Ovulation pain
This is a sudden and continuous mild pain and discomfort felt in the lower part of the abdomen. If your ovulation pain is severe, make sure to visit a doctor as this can be a symptom of fertility problems.
2. Lowered basal body temperature.
Checking your basal body temperature with a basal thermometer or a fertility thermometer can help you recognize your ovulation period. Before ovulation, the basal body temperature usually decreases. Daily monitoring and charting is recommended for women trying to conceive to know for sure if there is actually a drop in the temperature.
3. Cervical mucus changes.
Observing if there are changes in the consistency and texture of your mucus discharge can also help you recognize ovulation. "Following a period, mucus will typically be dry before becoming sticky, then creamy, then watery, before its most fertile state - clear, slippery and stretchy," BellyBelly explained. "Highly fertile mucus looks like raw egg white. This best aids the sperm on its passage to the egg, and provides an alkaline protection from the vagina's acidic environment."
4. Changes in the position of your cervix.
When women are not fertile, the cervix usually is dry, hard and low. When women are fertile, the cervix is softer, higher and wetter.
5. Sensitive and tender breasts.
One of the most common symptoms of ovulation is breast sensitivity and tenderness. "Ovulation will most often cause pain or soreness on the sides of your breasts," MCC shared. Ovulation breast pain is different from pregnancy breast pain because the latter also causes areola color changes.
