Ovulation Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of ovulation?

There are around four or five days every month when as a woman you are fertile to conceive and there are a few common symptoms to denote that you are entering your ovulation period.

1. There is an increase in the body temperature
2. There is an increase in the secretion of cervical mucus
3. There is an visible change in the position of the cervix which also becomes more firm during ovulation
4. There is an increase in the libido
5. The breast develops tenderness
6. increase of cramps in the abdominal region (Mittelschmerz)

BBT or Basal Body Temperature: The body temperature should be noted when the body has rested or when no physical exertion has taken place and the right time to note the BBT is in the morning as in most cases it has been found that there is a marked rise in the body temperature just before ovulation due to the increase in the LH in the body.

Cervical Mucus: As you know that the cervix is situated in the lower part of the uterus which joins the vagina, there is a small amount of cervical discharge regularly but as the ovulation time comes nearer there is an increase in this cervical mucus discharge which appears cloudy as well as sticky and during the ovulation period this discharge becomes more clear, gaining more elasticity. This cervical mucus helps the easy movement or transportation of the sperm to fertilize with the ripe ovum or egg.

Cervical Position: Before ovulation starts the cervix is firm to feel and it is relatively dry and the position of the cervix is low and can be reached easily but then the entrance to the cervix is not easy as you will feel it is closed when you insert your fingers into the vagina, but before ovulation the cervix becomes moist and soft, you can also feel that the entrance of the cervix is open but when ovulation occurs there is a maximum increase in the cervix entrance but you will find it difficult to insert your fingers.

Mittelschmerz or Abdominal Cramps: Every women will have experienced some pain in the abdominal region sometime or the other before ovulation during her menstrual cycle this pain appears all of a sudden and can either subside within a couple of hours or may last for a couple of days, during ovulation. Women also develop tenderness of the breast and there is an increase in the libido as there are hormonal changes going on in the body during ovulation period. The abdominal cramps are referred to as Mittelschmerz.

But if the pain persists then you need to consult your gynecologist to find out if there is no other problem, this abdominal pain or cramps can be felt on either side of the abdominal as the egg can be discharged from either of the ovaries.

As such there is nothing to worry about the out ward bodily changes or physical changes which are visible during ovulation as these disappear once the ovulation starts or menstrual period starts.