To know if you are ovulating, look for the following key signs and symptoms your body may show:
- Changes in cervical mucus: Before ovulation, cervical mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, resembling raw egg whites, which helps sperm travel. Earlier in the cycle, it may be dry or sticky, and after ovulation, it becomes thicker and less abundant.
- Basal body temperature (BBT): Tracking your basal body temperature daily using a precise thermometer can help confirm ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone causes a slight temperature rise of about 0.4–0.5°F (0.3°C) which stays elevated until the next period. The temperature rise indicates ovulation has occurred but does not predict it in advance.
- Cervical position and texture: Around ovulation, the cervix becomes higher, softer, and more open. This can be checked manually but may be tricky to notice.
- Physical symptoms: Some people experience mild ovulation pain (mitelschmerz) on one side of the lower abdomen, breast tenderness, bloating, light spotting, or increased libido around ovulation.
- Regular menstrual cycles: Having predictable monthly periods is a strong sign that ovulation is occurring regularly.
- Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs): These detect the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in urine 24-36 hours before ovulation, providing a reliable and convenient way to predict when ovulation will happen.
In summary, changes in cervical mucus, a rise in basal body temperature after ovulation, physical symptoms, and optionally using ovulation predictor kits are the main ways to know if you are ovulating. Tracking these signs over a few cycles can help identify your fertile window and improve timing for conception. References:
- Progyny Clinical Team, Sept 2025
- Flo Health, Nov 2024
- The Bump, Feb 2024
- WebMD
- Raleigh OB, July 2025
- VARTA via Better Health Victoria
- Fertility Center of Illinois, Nov 2023
- Cleveland Clinic, March 2025
- Mayo Clinic, July 2024
