Whether you are trying to get pregnant or aiming for the opposite, ovulation symptoms are equally important to know about.
Knowing about the symptoms of ovulation and about her own menstrual cycle is essential for any woman also because anovulation could also be the warning sign of something being not quite right.
Saliva and urine kits for ovulation also help in identifying when a woman ovulates. However there are other ovulation symptoms and body signals that a woman can herself identify.
Cervical mucus and other cervical changes – A woman has to keep track of the type of vaginal discharge or lack of discharge that she experiences at other times of her monthly cycle.
The vaginal discharge is typically more at the time of ovulation. It feels slippery and appears stringy and clear much like egg whites around the time of ovulation.
The changes in the cervix itself are another one of the ovulation symptoms women may experience: the cervix feels, higher, softer and more open around the time that a woman is most fertile.
Increased sex drive – Nature has designed things in such a way that a woman feels most like having sex when she is most likely to conceive. Hormonal changes occur at the time of ovulation that can make a woman feel more receptive to; more desirous of sex.
Physical changes – Many women find that the ovulation symptoms are quite palpable in other ways: many women notice their hair and skin appears to be more attractive at this time, adding to self confidence and further increasing a woman’s allure and her desire to have sex.
Fuller and more sensitive vulva and labia could also be a part of this. Some women also find that their breasts feel tender at this time, whereas many women retain water and experience bloating at this time.
Mittelschmerz – This is another one of the symptoms of ovulation that about a quarter of all women experience. Mittelschmerz literally means middle pain or mid-cycle pain. Many women experience some amount of abdominal discomfort or pain when ovulation takes place. For some women the pain could last a few hours and for others it could last for a few days. Some women also experience a heightened sense of smell during this time.
Mood changes – Many women find that they are moody and have mood swings at this time of the month. Others however may find that they are full of vim and vigor and that they may be at their productive best during this time.
Unusual ovulation symptoms – Some women experience mid cycle spotting due to ovulation. Some of the other less common signs of ovulation could be headaches or nausea that some women tend to experience.
Ovulation symptoms may vary from woman to woman, but the important thing is be familiar with one’s own symptoms in order that the time of ovulation may be identified.