Ovulation Symptoms

There are a number of myths about ovulation, that we hear about. One of the myths is about, when does a woman ovulate. Technically speaking a woman should ovulate around the 14th day of her menstrual cycle. However, this is true of women, whose menstrual cycle is of 28 days. Therefore, to understand ovulation symptoms, paying attention to the body is necessary. Although, there are different ovulation prediction kits available in the market, wouldn't it be best to understand the symptoms of ovulation on your own? Before we turn our attention towards signs and symptoms of ovulation, we will first read in brief about ovulation.

What is Ovulation?

When one single mature egg is released from a follicle, which has developed in the ovary, it is known as ovulation. Depending on the length of the menstrual cycle, ovulation normally happens somewhere mid-cycle. Therefore, if a woman's menstrual cycle is of 28 days, then ovulation will happen around the 14th day. So that a woman can conceive, the egg has to be fertilized within 12 to 48 hours of it been released. After this time lapses, the egg begins to disintegrate.

Ovulation Symptoms

While attempting conception, it is important to be able to predict your ovulation. This will ensure you increase your chances of conceiving at the earliest. Most women use counting days method to know the answer to the question when am I ovulating. However, this method may not prove to be beneficial to someone, who does not have a regular menstrual cycle. In other words, menstrual cycle is either long or short than the normal.

Ovulation Discharge
One of the most easily understood symptoms is ovulation discharge. The quantity of cervical mucus produced and consistency of cervical mucus changes, when a woman is ovulating. Just before ovulation, there is an increase in the quantity of cervical mucus discharge. The discharge during ovulation is normally a little transparent and may look like the uncooked white of an egg. It is this discharge, due to which the sperms are able to move easily through the cervix and move into the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg.

Body Temperature
This is one of the ovulation signs and symptoms. There is a change in basal body temperature, when a woman is ovulating. To understand the deviation, you will have to keep a track of the basal body temperature. Normally there is a slight rise in body temperature during this time. Using this physical sign of ovulation, you may not exactly be able to predict ovulation, but you will be able to know when you are actually ovulating.

Abdominal Pain and/or Cramps
If you wonder, what are the physical symptoms of ovulation to look out for, then lower abdominal pain is a symptom. However, not every woman will suffer from ovulation cramps. Some women may suffer from mild aches, while others may suffer from painful ovulation. Depending on each person, this painful symptom may last for a couple of hours or it may be experienced only for a few minutes. Women normally experience this pain on the right side of the abdomen. This pain is also known as 'Mittelschmerz'.

Increased Sexual Desire
If you have been paying attention to your body, you will realize that, when you are ovulating you will experience increase in sexual desire. This sign of ovulation is seen a couple of days before ovulation. Therefore, if you are planning for your baby, then you may want to take cue from this symptom of ovulation.

Spotting
Some woman may suffer from bleeding during ovulation. However, it is important to note the color of ovulation spotting. You will note that spotting during ovulation is pink in color. There is nothing to worry and it is a normal thing with women, but not every woman may experience it.

From the ovulation symptoms, it is clear, that you will have to pay keen attention to your body. Some of the symptoms of ovulation may differ in one person to another. In some cases, a woman may take longer to understand the subtle hints given by the body to them, but then remember it is perfectly normal.