Ovulation - Symptoms, Signs, Calculation & Discharge

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.