To know if ovulation is happening, there are several signs and methods to look for:
- Changes in cervical mucus: Around ovulation, cervical mucus becomes clearer, thinner, and slippery, similar to raw egg whites. This helps sperm swim to the egg.
- Basal body temperature (BBT): Your resting body temperature slightly rises (about 0.5°F or 0.3°C) after ovulation. Monitoring BBT daily can help identify this rise.
- Physical symptoms: Some women experience mild cramps or pain (often one-sided), breast tenderness, bloating, or increased sex drive around ovulation.
- Cervical position: The cervix becomes higher, softer, and more open during ovulation, though this is harder to check.
- Ovulation test kits: These detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine that occurs 24–36 hours before ovulation.
Tracking these signs together, especially cervical mucus changes and basal body temperature, is a common way to know if ovulation is occurring. If menstrual cycles are regular (21 to 35 days), ovulation is likely happening regularly about 14 days before the next period. If there is difficulty identifying ovulation or concerns about irregular cycles, consulting a healthcare provider who can perform hormone tests or offer further guidance is advisable.
