Signs that you’re ovulating

Many women have no idea when they are ovulating, but most women feel familiar twinges and pangs each month.

If you are trying to get pregnant it might be a good idea to track your menstrual cycle for a few months, making note of when you feel slight feelings of discomfort in your middle abdomen, breast tenderness and increased vaginal discharge, that takes on a wetter almost egg-white like quality.

A raise in temperature
When you ovulate, your body produces the hormone progesterone which slightly raises your body temperature. The raise is so slight you won't feel it but you can detect it to measure your basal body temperature or BBT. The best way to ensure the success of this method is to take your temperature on the first day of a new menstrual cycle (so the day after your period has stopped). Take your temperature as soon as you wake up (before you do anything else) and make a note of this every day. Your temperature drops just before ovulation and is followed by a distinct rise on the day you ovulate. Try to have sexual intercourse on the days between the time your temperature drops and the time it rises, a period of about twenty- four hours. This usually occurs about thirteen to fifteen days after the start of your menstrual cycle, but each woman’s cycle will vary.

Predicting ovulation is tricky because all women ovulate at different times depending on how long their cycles last. Typically a woman’s cycle lasts about 28 days, but can last up to 35 or be as short as 21 days. Once you know how long your cycle lasts (by keeping note for a few months and counting days), subtract 12 to 16 days from the predicted end to find out which days you are likely ovulate on. If your cycle is 28 days long you will typically ovulate 14 days from the end of your cycle.

Confused? Make life a bit easier with our ovulation calculator. Simply type in the date of the first day of your last monthly period and how many days your cycle usually last for. (Most women's cycles typically last for about 28 days). Then our clever calculator will work out which are your most fertile days over the next year!

It is important to have regular sex (every two to three days) throughout your cycle – as this optimises your chances of conceiving.

A change in cervical mucus
Another way that you can tell you are ovulating is that you may notice a change in your cervical mucus, otherwise known as vaginal discharge. Normally your cervical mucus acts as a protective barrier from germs and infection getting to you, but during ovulation it actually helps move the sperm up through the cervix to its final destination; the egg. During ovulation the estrogen levels in your body rise which makes your cervical mucus take on a different texture and consistency. You may notice that it is more stretchy and more like the consistency of egg white.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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