Ovulation symptoms can help women trying to get pregnant predict their fertile days
Knowing your body gives women more autonomy and can help you get pregnant, especially by helping you understand when ovulation occurs, a process in which the ovaries release a mature egg that will be captured by the fallopian tubes.
“This process, which occurs monthly, is easier to predict in people who have a regular menstrual cycle. In theory, ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, so in a reliable 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs on day 14. But not all women ovulate exactly 14 days before their next period. Cycles have different lengths and can vary monthly, so it is best to assume that you will probably ovulate four days before or after the middle of your menstrual cycle,” explains Fernando Prado, a specialist in human reproduction, a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and clinical director of NewLife.
However, for those who do not have regular cycles, relying solely on the calendar can be frustrating. But the good news is that there are signs that, while not as obvious as your period, can help you know when your egg will be released. These signs include:
• Changes in basal body temperature: Ovulation can raise your body temperature by half to one degree. “But to notice this change, you need a really good thermometer. In addition, you need to know and monitor your normal individual body temperature (measured at the beginning of the day, before getting out of bed). Otherwise, this change will probably go unnoticed,” says the doctor.
• Changes in cervical mucus: According to Fernando, shortly before ovulation, you may notice thinner, slippery cervical mucus. After ovulation, it becomes thicker and less noticeable. “If you want to get pregnant, the days when your mucus is thin and slippery are your best bet,” the doctor advises. But the problem is that not all women have a significant amount of cervical mucus, so if you’re in that group, you’re less likely to notice these changes.
• Changes in the cervix: As you get closer to ovulation, the feel of your cervix will change, becoming more dilated and a little soft. Afterward, it will feel more “firm.” “This change is subtle and hard to feel, so it’s not the primary way to know you’re ovulating. But if you’re very familiar with your body, it can give you some interesting clues about when ovulation is happening,” she points out.
• Sew in the belly: According to the doctor, a twinge (pain) in the lower abdomen can also be a sign of ovulation. “This occurs when the egg is released from the ovaries. But not everyone feels this twinge,” says the human reproduction specialist.
Given the subtlety of these changes, relying on these symptoms to predict ovulation can be helpful for some women and completely useless for others. Also, not everyone receives the same signals. Fortunately, there are other ways to predict this process, such as through ovulation kits, similar to pregnancy tests.
“These kits check your levels of a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). The surge in this hormone is what triggers ovulation,” says the doctor. Fertility can also be predicted using fertility monitoring devices. “These devices read your hormones, sometimes a type of estrogen or LH, usually through a stick you pee on, to indicate your most fertile time. Some tell you which days to test and whether it’s a high, low, or high fertility day,” she explains.
But once you know you’re ovulating, what do you do with this information? According to the doctor, based on this data you can estimate which are your most fertile days. “Contrary to what many people think, ovulation and fertile days are not synonymous. Ovulation is an event – the release of the egg – and it doesn’t take long, about 12 to 24 hours. The fertile days are a window,” explains the specialist, who says that the most fertile days are the two days before or after ovulation.
“That’s because sperm can survive in the body for three to five days, whereas an egg only survives about 24 to 48 hours after leaving the ovary. So it’s possible that the sperm are waiting for the egg to be released,” the doctor says.
Therefore, when sexual intercourse is performed up to five days before ovulation, there is still a possibility of conception.
Finally, Fernando Prado emphasizes that if you have been evaluating your ovulation cycles for a while and have not gotten pregnant, it is worth consulting a doctor specialized in Human Reproduction. “In addition to the fact that ovulation is an extremely complex process and sometimes difficult to predict, there are a number of factors that can interfere with fertility. And some cases may be more serious and urgent, since the time factor is worrying, especially for women over 35. So, do not hesitate to seek professional help,” he adds.
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Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
