How do I know if I'm ovulating?
So we know how important ovulation is not only for our fertility, but also our overall health. But you may be thinking…. how do I even know if I’m ovulating?? There are a few different ways to check.
Temperature charting: After we ovulate, progesterone raises the basal body temperature by 0.2 - 0.4 degrees celsius. This increase in temperature should be sustained for the next 10 - 16 days until menstruation begins (or will stay elevated if you are pregnant!). This small but significant change in temperature is enough to know that you have ovulated. Use a digital basal body temperature thermometer that measures temperature to at least one decimal place, and record under the tongue temperature every morning before getting out of bed. Try to take it at the same time each morning and wear the same amount of clothes each time.
Cervical fluid or mucus charting: Estrogenized cervical mucus should be clear, slippery and stretchy like egg white, just BEFORE ovulation. This mucus provides nutrients for sperm to live and travel to the fallopian tubes.
Not ovulating: dry or sticky.
Ovulation may be coming: creamy.
Ovulation is very close: wet and watery.
Ovulating: very wet, stretchy and resembles raw eggwhite.
Cervix position: The normal position of your cervix is low (one finger length inside the vagina), and has a hard texture like the tip of your nose. Just before ovulation, the cervix rises up to the top of the vagina, so will be positioned higher and will feel softer.
Ovulation test strips: Luteinising Hormone (LH) is a pituitary hormone which triggers the dominant follicle to release an egg. Elevated LH can be detected with a urine strip. Start testing on day 8 of your cycle, and when you see a positive LH strip, you should ovulate within 36-40 hours. Please note however that LH is often abnormally elevated in PCOS and these strips are a tool only, they are not always accurate.
Mittelschmerz: some women feel a slight twinge pain on either the left or right side of their lower abdomen when they ovulate. This is when the egg is released from its follicle. This pain is often dull cramping or sharp sudden but mild pain. It usually lasts a few minutes to a few hours, but may last as long as a day or two.
It is common to have a few anovulatory cycles (or cycles where we didn’t ovulate) each year. If you experience PCOS or irregular ovulation or menstruation, get in touch as there are many nutrients and herbs to help regulate the menstrual cycle and support ovulation.