Getting pregnant comes easy for some. Unfortunately, some women will struggle with conceiving. They may try for months or years with no success. Knowing how your body works can help you overcome some of the barriers that come with getting pregnant. This includes being aware of when you ovulate. Ovulation usually occurs around day 14 of a 28 day menstrual period and plays a key role in pregnancy. If ovulation does not take place, you cannot get pregnant. A woman's chances for pregnancy increases dramatically when she ovulates. If you are trying to conceive, knowing the time of month that you ovulate will give you the best chance for success. While there are ovulation tests available for your purchase at your local drug store, there are key signs and symptoms that accompany ovulation.
Ovulation – What your body may tell youThe following are symptoms of ovulation that many women experience:
- Abdominal pain – This is also known as Mittelschmerz. Some women will feel abdominal pain on the lower right side of their abdomen. The pain is usually mild but noticeable. It may last from a few hours up to a few days.
- Increase in mucus in the vaginal area- As ovulation begins to take place there is an increase in secretions in the vagina. The consistency of the mucus is similar to that of egg whites and may have a cloudy appearance. It is usually odorless.
- Increased libido - It is not unusual for the sex drive to heighten during ovulation. This works out perfectly for those who are trying to conceive. For others, however, precautionary measures should be taken to avoid pregnancy during this time.
- Increase in basal body temperature- Your body temperature will be slightly higher than normal when you ovulate.
- No symptoms at all – Keep in mind that it may be difficult to determine when you are ovulating. Many women feel no symptoms at all when they are ovulating while others feel every symptom listed above. Every woman's body is different.
Determining when you are ovulating can pose a challenge. The symptoms can be very subtle. The best way to determine if you are ovulating is keeping a calendar and tracking your cycle. Now that you are familiar with the symptoms of ovulation, you can pay closer to attention to how your body reacts to the process. Knowing when you are ovulating can help you achieve pregnancy success!
