What is ovulation and how do I know when it's happening?
Image by Matt Brokie via Unsplash.
Your menstrual cycle is made up of four phases: Menstruation, the Follicular Phase, Ovulation, and the Luteal Phase. That mysterious middle phase of your cycle - ovulation- the shortest window of the entire cycle - is often the least understood yet most pivotal moment in your reproductive timeline.
It's the biological event that makes pregnancy possible, influences how you feel physically and emotionally, and even affects everything from your skin to your energy levels. Yet for something so significant, many of us were never truly taught how to recognize when it's happening.
Whether you're trying to conceive, avoiding pregnancy naturally, or simply wanting to understand your body better, knowing your ovulation patterns puts you in control. Let's demystify this crucial phase of your cycle and explore the signs your body is already giving you - and how to interpret them.
WHAT IS OVULATION?
Ovulation is when your ovary releases an egg into your fallopian tube in preparation for potential pregnancy. This happens roughly in the middle of your menstrual cycle. The process begins when your brain releases hormones - particularly luteinizing hormone (LH) - that signal to your ovary it's time to release the mature egg it's been developing.
Once released, the egg travels down the fallopian tube where it can meet sperm and potentially be fertilised. If fertilisation doesn't occur, the egg naturally dissolves, and your body continues the cycle, eventually preparing for menstruation.
WHEN DO YOU OVULATE?
You typically ovulate about 14 days before the start of your next period. For those with a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation usually occurs around day 14, but this varies based on your unique cycle length. If you experience shorter menstrual cycles (like 24 days), you might ovulate earlier, on around day 10. If you have longer cycles (like 35 days), ovulation might happen later, closer to day 21.
This is why tracking your own personal cycle is more valuable than following textbook timelines - our bodies rarely follow averages exactly. The time before ovulation (the follicular phase) can vary in length, too, while the time after ovulation (the luteal phase) tends to be more consistent at about 12-16 days.
HOW LONG DOES OVULATION LAST?
Ovulation itself is a really short window and lasts only about 12-24 hours. Despite all the hormonal build-up that happens beforehand, the actual release and viability of the egg is quite brief. Once released, the egg remains viable for fertilisation for up to 24 hours. If it's not fertilised during this window, it disintegrates naturally, and your body moves into the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, eventually leading to menstruation (a.k.a. your period) if pregnancy doesn't occur.
Though it's important to rememeber that your "fertile window" is longer than just the ovulation day itself. This is because sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days, which means that pregnancy is possible even if you've had sex several days before the egg is released. So if you're not wanting to get pregnant, it's important to use barrier contraception on the days around ovulation.
HOW CAN YOU TELL WHEN YOU ARE OVULATING?
You can identify ovulation through several physical signs, like changes in your discharge (it becomes clear and stretchy like raw eggwhites), your basal body temp (it will increase slightly) and you might also notice an increase in your libido. This spike in your sex drive around ovulation is biology's clever way of encouraging reproduction when fertility is highest. Some women will even experience a mild pain or twinge on one side of the lower abdomen when the follicle ruptures to release the egg (we unpack this more a bit further on).
Once you know what to look for, recognising your personal ovulation patterns becomes much easier.
It's important to note though, that if you don't notice these symtpoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are not ovulating. If you're unsure, it's best to check in with your doctor.
HOW TO TRACK OVULATION
You can track ovulation through several methods:
MONITOR YOUR CERVICAL MUCUS
Pay attention to changes in your vaginal discharge throughout your cycle. As ovulation approaches, this mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy - often compared to raw egg whites. This change creates the perfect environment for sperm to travel through the reproductive tract.
USE OVULATION PREDICTOR KITS
These over-the-counter tests detect the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine that happens 24-36 hours before ovulation. They work similarly to pregnancy tests but give you advance notice that your body is preparing to release an egg.
CHART YOUR BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE
Your resting body temperature rises slightly (about 0.2°C/0.4°F) after ovulation due to increased progesterone production. By taking your temperature first thing every morning before getting out of bed, you can identify this pattern over time.
TRY OVULATION TRACKING APPS
Numerous apps can help you log cycle dates, symptoms, and other indicators to predict when ovulation might occur. The longer you track, the more accurate these predictions become for your unique cycle.
If you're unsure, have any concerns about your cycle or your fertility, it's best to speak to your doctor or a fertility specialist for a more personalised check up.
WHAT DOES OVULATION DISCHARGE LOOK LIKE?
Ovulation discharge looks clear, stretchy, and slippery - very similar to raw egg whites in consistency. This distinctive cervical mucus is specifically designed to help sperm survive and travel through your reproductive tract to meet the egg.
Before ovulation, you might notice your discharge is creamy, sticky, or even minimal. Then, as estrogen levels rise approaching ovulation, this "fertile mucus" appears for a few days. After ovulation occurs, the mucus quickly becomes thicker again or decreases significantly as progesterone levels rise.
If you experience this type of discharge mid-cycle, it's a pretty good indicator that you're ovulating.
WHAT DOES OVULATION PAIN FEEL LIKE?
Ovulation pain feels like a sharp, cramp-like sensation on one side of your lower abdomen. Also known as mittelschmerz (German for "middle pain"), this PMS-like discomfort occurs when the follicle ruptures to release the egg from your ovary. The pain typically happens on the side where the egg is being released - which can alternate between ovaries from cycle to cycle.
The sensation ranges from a mild twinge that you might barely notice to a more pronounced ache that some find uncomfortable. Some women also experience mild bloating or even light spotting during this time. While the pain can be uncomfortable, it's generally not cause for concern unless it's severe or lasts significantly longer than usual or feels more painful than mild. Severe is absolutely not normal and remember, if in doubt, get checked out.
Not everyone experiences ovulation pain, so its absence doesn't mean you're not ovulating - it simply means your body might not produce noticeable sensations during this process.
HOW LONG DOES OVULATION PAIN LAST?
Ovulation pain typically lasts anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours. Most commonly, the discomfort persists for several hours before gradually subsiding. The intensity and duration vary widely among individuals—some barely notice a brief twinge, while others might experience more noticeable discomfort that lasts longer.
This temporary pain is generally considered normal and simply signals that your ovulation process is active. However, if you experience severe pain that lasts longer than a day, or if the discomfort interferes with your daily activities, it's worth mentioning to your healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes.
For mild ovulation pain, over-the-counter pain relievers and heat applied to the abdomen are usually sufficient for comfort.
HOW LONG CAN AN EGG SURVIVE AFTER OVULATION?
An egg can survive for about 12-24 hours after ovulation. Once released from the ovary, this tiny cell begins its journey through the fallopian tube while remaining viable for potential fertilization. If sperm don't fertilise the egg during this relatively brief window, it naturally disintegrates and is reabsorbed by your body.
This short lifespan of the egg is why timing is so crucial for conception. Since sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days, the most fertile window includes the days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. Having intercourse after this 24-hour period likely won't result in pregnancy until the next cycle.
Understanding this timeline help if you're trying to conceive (or not!).
HOW LONG AFTER OVULATION IS YOUR PERIOD?
Your period typically starts 12-16 days after ovulation. This timeframe, known as the luteal phase, remains fairly consistent from cycle to cycle even if your overall cycle length varies. During this phase, the ruptured follicle transforms into a structure called the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to support a potential pregnancy.
If pregnancy doesn't occur, the corpus luteum breaks down after about 12-16 days, causing hormone levels to drop. This hormone withdrawal triggers the shedding of your uterine lining, resulting in menstruation. This consistency in the luteal phase is why tracking ovulation can help you predict when your next period will arrive with reasonable accuracy.
For those with regular cycles, period tracking apps often estimate ovulation based on this relationship between ovulation and menstruation.
CAN YOU OVULATE WITHOUT A PERIOD?
"Yes, you can ovulate without having a period, but it's pretty uncommon,". says Sydney -based OBGYN Dr. Nicole Stamatopoulos. Ovulation is the release of an egg, while a period is the shedding of the uterine lining - and these processes don't always occur in their expected sequence. Several scenarios make this possible:
"This might occur if you get pregnant straight after a miscarriage, in which cae you will be pregnant before getting a period," explains. Dr. Nicole. "This would also be the case in some women with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who don't get a period because they don't ovulate, or ovulate occasionally and get pregnant on a random cycle," she adds.
Other instances where you might ovulate without a period are during breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, perimenopause, or times of significant stress or physical exertion, when your body might occasionally release an egg without triggering a full menstrual bleed. Some hormonal contraceptives also create conditions where the uterine lining remains too thin to produce a typical period, even if occasional ovulation occurs.
This is one reason why menstruation alone isn't always a reliable indicator of fertility or reproductive health.
IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE SPOTTING DURING OVULATION?
Yes, it is normal to have spotting during ovulation for some women. "This spotting is usually due to a little bit of the lining of the uterus shedding away and is most likely a response to the surge of Luteinizing hormone (LH)," says Dr. Nicole.
While spotting is generally harmless, it can also be a sign of other factors like stress, changes in birth control, or underlying health conditions. If the spotting is persistent or accompanied by unusual or severe pain (or if you're unsure) it’s a good idea to consult your doctor.
HOW DO I KNOW IF IT'S OVULATION SPOTTING OR IMPLANTATION BLEEDING?
It's all about timing and when the bleeding occurs. "Ovulation spotting will be mid-cycle, whereas implantation bleeding will usually happen after you have missed your period," explains Dr. Nicole. Tracking and understanding your cycle patterns can help, and if you're unsure or suspect you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test or see your doctor.
DO YOU OVULATE ON THE BIRTH CONTROL PILL?
No, you generally don't ovulate while taking combined hormonal birth control pills correctly. These pills work primarily by preventing ovulation - they contain synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone that inhibit the hormonal signals that would normally trigger egg release from your ovaries.
The pill essentially tricks your body into thinking it's already in the post-ovulation phase, suppressing the hormonal surge that would stimulate egg development and release. This is one of the primary ways the pill prevents pregnancy, along with thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining.
Though if you miss pills or don't take them at consistent times, your body might occasionally attempt to ovulate, which is why perfect use is important for maximum effectiveness. The "withdrawal bleeding" that occurs during the placebo week of birth control pills isn't a true period - it's simply your body's response to the temporary drop in hormones.
DO YOU OVULATE ON A MIRENA IUD?
With a Mirena IUD, you might still ovulate, though many people experience suppressed ovulation, especially initially. The Mirena releases a small amount of the hormone levonorgestrel directly into the uterus, which works in several ways to prevent pregnancy.
While ovulation suppression isn't the primary mechanism of the Mirena, studies suggest that about 85% of users still ovulate regularly after the first year of use, though this percentage is lower in the first few months after insertion. The Mirena's main protective mechanisms include thickening cervical mucus (creating a barrier to sperm), thinning the uterine lining, and creating a local environment that's hostile to both sperm movement and implantation.
This means you might still experience some signs of ovulation, like changes in cervical mucus or ovulation-related cramping, while using a Mirena IUD - even as the device effectively prevents pregnancy through its other mechanisms.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tracking ovulation gives you valuable insight into your reproductive health and puts you in control of your fertility journey. Whether you're trying to conceive, avoid pregnancy consciously, or simply understand your body better, recognising your ovulation patterns connects you with your natural cycles.
Cycle tracking becomes easier with practice and over time, you'll likely notice patterns specific to your body that help you anticipate not just when ovulation occurs, but also how it affects your energy, moods, and overall wellbeing throughout your cycle.
Your cycle tells a story that's uniquely yours - becoming fluent in its own language is perhaps the most empowering conversation you'll ever have.
GOT MORE QNS? JOIN THE CONVO AND OUR COMMUNITY @MOXIEHQ ON TIKTOK
NOTE: just like the discussions had and info provided on TikTok, the information provided here is intended to educate and inform only, and does not constitute medical advice or replace a personalised medical diagnosis from your GP or a medical professional. The aim is to inform and encourage you to get to know your flow and your body, and get checked if things seem off in any way.
