Signs of ovulation: 11 Ovulation symptoms & when am I most fertile?

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is at the core of the menstrual cycle. One of the ovaries releases a mature egg cell, which travels down the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized by a sperm cell, resulting in a pregnancy.

When does ovulation happen?

Since all our bodies and cycles are different, the timing of ovulation is also very individual. However, regardless of which day in your cycle you ovulate, it usually happens roughly two weeks before your next period starts. That’s because the luteal phase (which lasts from ovulation to your next period) is typically about two weeks long and generally doesn’t change much from cycle to cycle [1].

The typical textbook guideline is that ovulation happens midway through your cycle, on day 14 in a standard 28-day cycle. Interestingly, most menstrual cycles don’t follow this pattern. In a study of over 600,000 cycles, we found that the average ovulation day in the cycles included in the study was actually day 18, and that the average cycle length was 29 days [1].

It’s also normal for your ovulation day to change from one cycle to the next (in fact, it often does), even if your cycles tend to be regular. Those with irregular cycles will experience even more variation in their ovulation day [1].

How long does ovulation last?

Ovulation only lasts for a short period of time: the egg cell can survive for 12–24 hours at the most once it’s released from the ovary during ovulation. After that time, it breaks down and can no longer be fertilized [2].

What are the fertile days in the menstrual cycle?

While ovulation lasts only one day per cycle, the fertile window (the days during the menstrual cycle when sex can result in pregnancy) can be up to six days long. It consists of the five days leading up to ovulation and the ovulation day itself [3]. 

The reason the window is longer than one day is that sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days under the right conditions. When trying to get pregnant, you’ll have the best chance of conceiving if you’ve had sex in the days right before ovulation, so that the sperm is already waiting for the egg once it’s released (having sex the day before ovulation gives the highest chances of conceiving) [3]. 

11 signs of ovulation

Because we’re all different, we won’t necessarily notice the same ovulation symptoms, even though there are a few signs that are clearly linked with ovulation. We may also experience them in different ways, and they might even vary from one cycle to the next. However, knowing what to look out for can make it easier for you to understand what’s going on in your body and help you recognize when you ovulate. So, without further ado, let’s go through some common ovulation symptoms! 

1. Body temperature rises

One of the most straightforward and easy-to-track signs of ovulation is the fact that there’s a small but clear rise in our temperature after ovulation. This temperature shift is driven by hormonal changes that happen during the menstrual cycle [4]. 

In the follicular phase (before ovulation), estrogen dominates, causing our body temperature to stay low. After ovulation, in the luteal phase, our body releases progesterone to help the body prepare for a potential pregnancy, while estrogen levels drop to a lower level than before ovulation. Progesterone remains elevated until the next cycle starts with your period, which is why your temperature will also remain higher throughout the entire luteal phase and drop when your period arrives [4].

2. Luteinizing hormone (LH) surges

Around one to two days before you ovulate, the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) will start to rise. This hormone is involved in triggering the ovulation process [5, 6]. You can measure your LH levels by using at-home ovulation tests (also known as LH tests), which detect the presence of LH in urine. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a positive test only indicates that ovulation is likely on its way; it’s not a guarantee that it will occur or a confirmation that it has. 

3. Cervical mucus changes

Cervical mucus is a substance that’s produced in the cervix and comes out as discharge from the vagina. The amount and consistency of our cervical mucus are closely linked to our menstrual cycle. As you enter the fertile window, you might notice that your cervical mucus becomes clear and stretchy with a higher water content, a consistency that helps sperm survive in the female reproductive system and swim to the egg [6, 7]. 

This type of cervical mucus, sometimes called “egg white” or “fertile” cervical mucus, is a sign that ovulation day is approaching. It’s important to know that it can be tricky to work out whether you’re fertile solely by looking at cervical mucus because it varies a lot between individuals and can be affected by outside factors, such as sexual arousal. However, taken with other fertility indicators, cervical mucus can be a very useful sign of ovulation.

4. Sex drive spikes

Our sex drive, or libido, reflects our desire for sex and can fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. An increase in libido is linked to a rise in testosterone levels during the follicular phase (that’s right, women have testosterone, too!), and possibly also to higher estrogen, though the role estrogen plays in our sex drive is less clear [8]. If you’ve noticed you feel friskier in the middle of your cycle, this is likely the cause! 

Sex drive tends to slump after ovulation day as testosterone levels drop, progesterone rises, and your period approaches [8]. Once your period arrives, a new cycle begins, and libido levels start to build up again…

Of course, our sex drive isn’t only dependent on where we are in our cycle; it’s also affected by other factors such as general health, stress, what’s going on in our lives, and many other things. On top of that, we’re all different and have different needs when it comes to sex. Whether you have a high or low sex drive, there is no right or wrong here — as long as you’re happy with it. However, if you notice changes to your sex drive or it’s causing you concern, it’s always a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional.

5. Higher energy levels 

As the fertile window approaches, a rise in activity level isn’t restricted to the bedroom. In fact, many of us feel at our very best in the days leading up to ovulation. Similar to libido, energy levels are often up at this point in our cycle [9], so it’s a good time to take on new challenges or channel that motivation into something that needs you to be at the top of your game! 

After ovulation day, energy levels can decrease again, and this might leave you feeling a bit sluggish, a common symptom of PMS [9].

6. Cervix position

Did you know that the position of the cervix changes during the menstrual cycle? During ovulation, the cervix sits higher in the vagina. Because of the higher estrogen levels, the cervix also becomes softer at this time of the cycle [10]. You can learn to check your cervix position at home, and it can be a useful indicator of where you are in your cycle once you’ve learned your own individual patterns by tracking it for a few cycles. However, this sign of ovulation is best taken together with other ovulation symptoms, so you shouldn’t rely on cervix position alone.

7. Glowing complexion

Many of us notice skin changes across the menstrual cycle, and there does seem to be a real link between skin and hormone fluctuations. And while there isn't much scientific evidence to back up the idea that ovulation impacts skin quality, some people may notice their skin looking a bit healthier or more radiant at this point in their cycle [11]. 

Others might get acne around ovulation instead. Breakouts at this point in the menstrual cycle are often caused by the hormonal shifts that happen around ovulation. However, we’re more likely to experience spotty skin during the luteal phase, especially in the days leading up to our periods, when estrogen levels have dropped, but those progesterone levels remain high [12].

8. Breast tenderness

It’s not all high sex drives and boundless energy around ovulation day. Some people do experience some soreness, too, and breast tenderness is a common sign that ovulation has happened [13]. This is one of the reasons why we recommend doing that all-important self-breast exam at the start of the cycle, since you’re less likely to have sore breasts at that time.

9. Ovulation pain

Some of us also experience ovulation pain, also known as Mittelschmerz. It’s typically felt on one side of the belly and happens as the egg cell is released from the ovary. Exactly how the pain feels is individual; for some, it feels like a sharp pain, while for others, it’s more of a dull ache or cramps [14].

10. Light spotting

Spotting is a type of light bleeding that’s different from your period. It can sometimes happen around ovulation, and research has found that roughly 5% of women experience spotting midway through their cycle [15]. It’s possible this is caused by hormonal changes, but more research is needed here.

While spotting can be a sign of ovulation, if you experience any unexplained bleeding, it’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare professional to rule out other causes.

11. Heightened senses

One perhaps less-known and less-talked-about sign of ovulation is the effect it can have on our senses. Even though this hasn’t been studied in great detail, some research suggests that our sense of smell is heightened during ovulation [16]. Other studies suggest that we are more sensitive to pain during ovulation [17]. 

Whether you view this as a nuisance or a superpower, we think it's pretty cool that our perception of the world can change due to hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle. Plus, you can use this information in your daily life! If you feel like you’re more sensitive to pain midway through your cycle, you might choose to hold off on routine tasks like hair removal until the days after your period begins. Research suggests we’re less sensitive to pain at the start of our cycle [17]. 

How to track ovulation symptoms

When it comes to tracking ovulation, it’s important to keep in mind that some of the signs we’ve covered can be hard to interpret on their own. By focusing on the ovulation symptoms that are less subjective (body temperature and LH), you can pinpoint your ovulation day with greater accuracy. Let’s go through some ways you can track ovulation symptoms:

• Measure your temperature: Because your temperature follows a curve with a distinct temperature rise after ovulation, tracking your temperatures throughout your cycles can help you see when you ovulate. This temperature shift is only about 0.3°C or 0.5°F [4], so you need to use a sensitive thermometer, called a basal thermometer that shows two decimal places, and measure your basal body temperature (your body’s resting temperature) first thing in the morning before you get out of bed.

• Use ovulation tests: At-home ovulation tests, also known as ovulation prediction kits (OPKs) or LH tests, measure LH levels in urine. These allow you to catch the LH surge that happens before ovulation, and getting a positive test is a good indication that your ovulation day is approaching. However, because the LH peak isn’t a confirmation that ovulation has happened (and it can be tricky to catch it since you need to test at the right time), it’s good to combine ovulation tests with measuring temperature or tracking other symptoms.

• Track your periods: Another (simplified) way to track your ovulation is to keep a record of your periods along with any ovulation symptoms that you experience during your cycle. Because ovulation typically happens around two weeks before your next period, tracking your periods can give you an idea of when your ovulation happens. Here, it’s important to note that this method isn’t reliable when it comes to planning a pregnancy (or for preventing), since simply tracking periods isn’t accurate enough to find your fertile days. Calendar-based period trackers have been shown to misidentify fertile days in up to 67% of cycles [18].

• Monitor cervical mucus: Your cervical mucus can also help give an idea of where you are in your cycle. You’ll usually have less discharge right after your period, and as you enter the fertile window, you might notice it getting a consistency similar to raw egg whites. After ovulation, when the fertile window closes, you’ll usually have less discharge again, and it typically becomes more sticky or creamy. You might need to monitor cervical mucus for a few cycles before you notice your cycle patterns. It’s also important to keep in mind that our discharge can be affected by other factors, such as sexual arousal, so it can be hard to use this method on its own.

• Use Natural Cycles: The Natural Cycles app removes the guesswork from the equation and gives you a personalized prediction for your ovulation based on your unique cycle data. The FDA-cleared NC° Fertility Algorithm uses your body temperature, measured by a compatible wearable, along with other biomarkers, to confirm your ovulation each cycle. You can also track other ovulation symptoms, such as cervical mucus, pain, libido, along with lifestyle factors and much more, to gain detailed insights into your unique cycle patterns and health. 

Why timing ovulation matters when trying to conceive

When trying to conceive, timing really is everything. Since the fertile window is a maximum of six days long, and ovulation itself only lasts for around 12–24 hours, you’ll have the best chances of conceiving if sperm is already waiting for the egg when it’s released. Having sex on the two days before and on ovulation day is optimal if you’re trying to get pregnant. 

If you’re using Natural Cycles to plan a pregnancy, the app will show you which days you’re most fertile and have the highest chances, allowing you to time sex when it matters most. Research shows that couples who use NC° Plan Pregnancy get pregnant in three cycles on average [19].

When should I see a doctor?

There are a few different conditions that can affect ovulation, such as PCOS or thyroid conditions, and either make it irregular or cause anovulatory cycles (where no egg is released). While an occasional irregular cycle is usually not a cause for concern, you should reach out to your doctor if your cycles are continuously irregular (less than 21 or more than 35 days), if you notice or suspect that you’re not ovulating, or if you've been trying to conceive for a year without getting pregnant.

Pinpoint your ovulation with Natural Cycles

Here at Natural Cycles, we believe in empowering you with the knowledge you need to take charge of your own health. Knowing when you ovulate and how your menstrual cycle works unlocks a powerful understanding of your own body. Whether you want to use this information to prevent pregnancy without hormones, take control of your pregnancy journey from planning to postpartum, or make sense of symptoms during perimenopause, is up to you. 

Natural Cycles is here to support you every step of the way with a clinically proven algorithm that analyzes your individual biomarkers to give you science-backed insights that really matter. Why not see if Natural Cycles could be right for you today?