Ovulation - Symptoms, Signs, Calculation & Discharge

Creator: Dr. Patretia Edward
Published: 2023-12-21 10:54:18

Written By: Dr. Patretia Edward

Dr. Patretia Edward is an obstetrician and gynaecologist specialised in gynaecological surgery.

Updated On:December 21, 2023

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is a part of a woman’s menstrual cycle. It is the journey of one or more eggs - also known as an ovum - from one of the two ovaries. Triggered by hormonal changes, once released, the egg travels along the fallopian tube where fertilization may happen. The ovulation process usually lasts one day & occurs midway through the menstrual cycle. This is about two weeks before a woman expects to get her period. However, the timing of the process varies between individuals, & can even vary each month. A woman is at her most fertile around the time of ovulation. Women seeking to become pregnant may keep track of ovulation timing.

Ovulation Period

The ovulation period mostly happens once during the monthly menstrual cycle. It occurs usually about 12-16 days before the woman’s next period begins. The exact timing can vary as not everyone experiences a typical 28-day cycle.

Here are some key points to know about Ovulation:

The process: The process begins with the release of follicle-stimulating hormone. This helps the ovum inside the ovary to mature in preparation for release & usually happens between days six & 14 of the menstrual cycle.
Releasing the egg: When the egg is mature, the body releases a surge of luteinizing hormone which triggers its release.

Signs of Ovulation

Many people mistakenly believe that ovulation always happens exactly 14 days after a woman's last period. But the timing of ovulation varies for each woman & depends on the length of her menstrual cycle.

Ovulation Symptoms can include:

Pain when touching the breast: Breast tenderness or sensitivity is a common symptom of ovulation. Some women may experience discomfort or pain in the breasts, particularly when they are touched or during activities that cause breast movement. This symptom is thought to be caused by hormonal fluctuations, primarily increases in oestrogen levels, during the menstrual cycle.
Light bleeding or spots of bleeding: Light bleeding or spotting, known as ovulation spotting, may occur in some women around ovulation. This spotting is typically very light and may appear as a light pink or brown discharge. Ovulation spotting is thought to result from hormonal changes associated with the release of an egg from the ovary.
Increased sex drive: Many women experience an increase in libido or sexual desire around the time of ovulation. This heightened sex drive is believed to be hormonally mediated, with increases in oestrogen and testosterone levels contributing to increased arousal and desire for sexual activity.
Increased vaginal secretions: Vaginal secretions, also known as cervical mucus or cervical fluid, typically increase and change in consistency around ovulation. The mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, resembling the consistency of raw egg whites. This fertile cervical mucus facilitates the movement of sperm through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes, enhancing the chances of conception.
Pain in the ovarian area, noted with discomfort on one side of the abdomen: Ovulation pain is characterized by mild to moderate discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. This pain is typically felt on one side of the abdomen, corresponding to the side from which the egg is released. Mittelschmerz is thought to occur due to the stretching or irritation of the ovarian surface as the follicle ruptures and releases the egg.

If tracking fertility to establish a ‘fertile window’, with a view to becoming pregnant, these signs should be taken as secondary: not all females experience symptoms with ovulation.

Calculate Ovulation

Many women simply use a diary or calendar to track their likely ovulation dates, especially if they are planning to start or add to a family. The doctor can offer the most accurate methods to confirm ovulation, including ultrasound or hormonal blood tests. There are, however, ways that you can track ovulation from the comfort of home.

Tracking Ovulation

An ovulation predictor kit: This usually available directly from a pharmacy, detects the presence of luteinizing hormone in the urine.
Fertility monitors: These are a more expensive option, but can be bought over the counter & work by tracking estrogen & luteinizing hormone, enabling you to determine a six-day fertile window.
Basal body temperature charting: This requires you to record changes to temperature by taking a reading every morning during your menstrual cycle using a basal thermometer. When your temperature remains elevated from your baseline for three days, ovulation is confirmed, although be wary that alcohol or illness can influence body temperature.

Ovulation Pain

Often known as period pains, ovulation pain can be evident as a sharp or sudden twinge or as dull cramping. Some women experience pain in their lower abdomen when they ovulate. Ovulation pain usually happens on either the left or right side, depending on which ovary is releasing the ovum. Also known as mittelschmerz - a German phrase meaning middle pain or pain in the middle of the month - ovulation pain tends to happen about 14 days before a period, when an ovary releases an egg within the menstrual cycle. Although regarded as a normal side effect linked with a period, it can persist for a day or more - or last just a few minutes. It will be accompanied by slight vaginal bleeding for some females.

Ovulation Discharge

When ovulation is impending women can experience an increase in vaginal discharge a few days before. Often clear & stretchy, this mucus can resemble raw egg whites & is produced by the cervix. Once ovulation has happened, this discharge may reduce in volume, but can appear either cloudier or thicker.

Ovulation Complications

When to see a doctor about Ovulation

If you are either not ovulating regularly, or not ovulating at all, it is recommended that you speak with your Medcare doctor. Elements such as stress or diet may impact the exact day of ovulation, but there are also medical conditions to be aware of that can make ovulation cease or become irregular. These include:

Polycystic ovary syndrome
Amenorrhea

Other symptoms related to hormonal imbalance may surface as a result of these conditions, including acne or excess facial or body hair. Infertility can result in severe cases. But other reasons exist that can produce an ovulation problem or irregular menstrual cycles.

These can be:

Blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease
Endometriosis
Ectopic pregnancy surgery
Abnormal hormone level
Thyroid problems
Low body mass index/being underweight
Obesity
Too much intense physical activity

You may also wish to see a doctor if your ovulation/period pain is severe or causes concern. The pain can often be eased by simple actions or home remedies like soaking in a hot bath or by taking a painkiller such as paracetamol. Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen could help. These can interfere with ovulation, however, so do not take them if you are seeking to get pregnant. If you still plan to visit a doctor, consider keeping a diary that informs medical staff of the precise timing during the menstrual cycle when pain arrives & the duration.