How Do You Know if You're Ovulating? | Ask the Expert: OB/GYN with Utica Park Clinic

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Question:
How do you know if you are ovulating?

Answer:

Ovulation is the process in which the ovary releases an egg to get fertilized. If that egg becomes fertilized, you become pregnant. Ovulation occurs in the middle of your cycle.

If you know when you ovulate, you can time intercourse to increase your chances of conceiving.

One way to determine when and if you are ovulating is to use the calendar method. After you learn how long your periods are, you can count days to determine when you should ovulate. Using a 28-day cycle as an example, you would count 14 days (half of 28) from the end of your period. This would mean you should ovulate on cycle day 14. It is then best to have intercourse a few days before along with the day of ovulation. For clarification, cycle day 1 is the first day of your period and day 28 is the day before your next period starts. If you do not want to use a calendar, there are several smart phone apps that help track your period and instruct you when to have intercourse.

In regards to knowing if you are ovulating, some women have some cramping or report they actually feel themselves ovulate. More accurate methods include charting basal body temperature or examining cervical mucus. Your body temperature increases slightly after you ovulate. It is usually less than a degree, so you will not notice the change. Your basal body temperature is your lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period. This can be measured every morning using a special thermometer.

Most women do not normally have a lot of cervical mucus or discharge during the month. When a woman is about to ovulate, the cervical mucus is more prevalent and takes on the consistency of egg whites. Another method, although more costly, is to use an ovulation predictor kit. These kits use a urine sample to determine the level of luteinizing hormone. When this level goes up, it is signaling that ovulation is getting ready to occur. This allows you to again plan/time intercourse. As always, it is best to contact your physician with any questions or concerns.