Understanding ovulation is key if you’re trying to conceive—or even if you just want to better understand your menstrual cycle. Ovulation is the process of releasing an egg from the ovary, and it typically occurs midway through your cycle.
By learning to recognize the signs of ovulation, you can better predict your fertile window and increase your chances of pregnancy.
Let’s explore the most common and reliable signs that ovulation is approaching—or already happening:
1. A Positive Result on an Ovulation Test
Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) work similarly to pregnancy tests, detecting the LH surge (luteinizing hormone) that happens 24–36 hours before ovulation.
A positive OPK means you’re about to ovulate—making it the best time to try to conceive.
2. Fertile Cervical Mucus
Around ovulation, your body produces clear, stretchy, egg-white-like cervical mucus.
This type of mucus helps sperm swim more easily through the cervix and reach the egg.
It’s one of the easiest natural signs to observe and often appears just before or during ovulation.
3. Increased Sexual Desire
Many women notice a spike in libido during their fertile window due to hormonal shifts—particularly a rise in estrogen and LH.
Your body naturally encourages intimacy when chances of conception are highest.
4. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Increase
After ovulation, progesterone levels rise and cause a slight increase in body temperature—usually around 0.5°F to 1.0°F.
By tracking BBT daily with a thermometer first thing in the morning, you can confirm ovulation after it has occurred.
5. Change in Cervical Position
During ovulation, your cervix becomes softer, higher, and more open to allow sperm to enter more easily.
This sign can be harder to detect, but with practice, many women learn to recognize the difference throughout their cycle.
6. Breast Tenderness
Hormonal changes—particularly increased progesterone—can lead to breast soreness or tenderness around ovulation or just after.
While not a definitive sign, it’s a common body cue for many women.
7. Saliva Ferning Pattern
Estrogen changes during ovulation can cause your saliva to form a fern-like pattern when dried and viewed under a microscope.
Special ovulation microscopes are available to help detect this pattern, though it requires some practice.
8. Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz)
Some women experience mild pelvic or abdominal pain on one side during ovulation.
This is known as mittelschmerz and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. It’s caused by the egg being released from the follicle.
Final Thoughts
Recognizing your body’s natural ovulation signs is a powerful tool—whether you’re trying to conceive or simply want to understand your cycle better.
Combining natural signs with ovulation testing provides the most accurate picture of your fertile days.
Need help tracking your ovulation or improving your chances of conception?
Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and take charge of your reproductive health today.