Women track ovulation for two main reasons. The first is to prevent pregnancy when they use safe days as their preferred family planning method. Secondly, they should conceive by taking advantage of the most fertile period in their monthly cycle.
Whichever the reason may be, this article will give you several signs that will alert you to the end of an ovulation cycle and the start of the body preparing for its monthly menstruation period.
Your Basal Body Temperature Drops
Ovulation is marked by a rise in basal body temperature, usually 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit. This is the lowest body temperature that the body experiences when you are resting. The hormone progesterone rises during ovulation, causing a slight increase in your temperature. The two days when the temperature is highest are your most fertile days. The temperature stays at this level until menstruation begins.
A basal temperature is a good sign that ovulation has occurred. However, this sign is observed through daily monitoring of your body’s resting temperature. Use a basal body thermometer to take your temperature each morning before getting out of bed. Chart your daily temperatures to notice the post-ovulation shift.
Cervical Mucus Changes
The consistency of your cervical mucus changes based on hormonal changes, especially progesterone and estrogen. This is one of the signs that ovulation is over, especially because it is easy to track if you are observant.
During ovulation, when progesterone is high, the cervical mucus is clear, stretchy, and resembles egg whites. After ovulation, it becomes thicker, cloudier, and lower in quantity. You can track this daily by wiping with toilet paper before urinating or observing the discharge in your underwear.
Increase in Breast Tenderness
Hormone changes during a woman’s cycle can affect her breasts. The decrease in progesterone and increase in estrogen after ovulation can cause swelling and increased sensitivity. The breasts may be painful to the touch and feel heavier than usual.
The Cervix Is Lower and Firmer
The cervix is located at the lower part of the uterus, opening into the vagina. During ovulation, the cervix is high, soft, and open. After ovulation, it becomes lower, firmer, and closed.
During ovulation, the open, high, and soft cervix maximizes the chances of sperm reaching the egg for fertilization. Once ovulation is over, the lower, firm, and closed cervix minimizes the chances of additional sperm entering the uterus. This is part of the body’s natural regulation of your fertility journey, ensuring that the chances of fertilization are highest during the peak fertile period.
This closure prevents sperm and potentially infectious agents from entering the uterus, safeguarding a possible early pregnancy or preparing the uterus for menstruation if fertilization does not occur.
You may need some experience or training to check the position of the cervix. This can be done with clean fingers, typically while in a squatting position.
Ovulation Pain Subsides
Studies show that at least 40% of women experience mittelschmerz, better known as ovulation pain. For these women, the end of the pain marks the end of ovulation. The pain is typically felt in the lower abdomen on one side.
Scientists are not sure why some women experience the pain, and others do not. However, it is believed to be caused by the release of an egg and the subsequent contracting of the fallopian tube to move the egg. Blood and fluid from the ruptured follicle may also cause irritation in the abdominal cavity and pelvis during this process, creating a dull ache.
Your Mood Stabilizes
It is no secret that hormonal fluctuations cause mood changes in women. These changes can affect daily interactions and well-being. Mood swings often peak around ovulation due to hormonal fluctuations and stabilize once the cycle is over.
Keep a mood diary to track emotional changes and identify patterns related to your cycle. When you feel that your mood is more stable and you are less irritable, this may be a sign that ovulation is over. Constant exercise and a nutritious diet to nourish your body and mind can help stabilize your mood.
It is important to note that hormonal imbalances can also cause mood swings. If you observe that you are moody too often, you may need to visit an endocrinologist.
Decreased Libido
Nature’s way of ensuring procreation is an increase in libido when a woman is at her most fertile window. Estrogen levels peak just before ovulation, during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. High estrogen levels are associated with increased energy, mood elevation, and heightened sexual desire.
Testosterone levels also rise around the time of ovulation. Although commonly associated with males, testosterone plays a significant role in female sexual desire. Elevated levels of testosterone enhance libido, making sexual activity more appealing during the fertile window.
There is also increased blood flow to the pelvic region, which enhances genital sensitivity and arousal. After ovulation, blood flow decreases, as do estrogen and testosterone levels, leading to a lower libido.
Published By: Aize Perez
