Published : December 13, 2022 3:19 PM IST
Ovulation is the phase of your menstrual cycle where the ovary releases the egg. When it comes to family planning, this phase is of utmost importance. This phase and the time window soon after it accounts for the most fertile stages in a woman’s reproductive cycle. It is during this phase that the egg released reaches the fallopian tube and waits for fertilization to happen.
Ovulation usually happens about 10-16 days before the onset of your menstrual phase. In ideal cases, if your menstrual cycle is exactly 28 days, then ovulation might happen around day 14. However, the length of the cycle varies across women. As per some reports, if your cycle is short, you are more likely to ovulate closer to day 11. Similarly, if you have longer menstrual cycles, you might ovulate around day 21.
Among some subtle signs that you are heading close to ovulation is the changing texture of the cervical mucus. While it is usually thick and viscous during the less fertile days, it gets thinner and egg-white like. One can also check the tissue consistency with a finger.
There are also some slight temperature changes before and during ovulation. The temperature might initially dip before the ovulation and then might get increased by 1 degree. This temperature change can be measured using a basal thermometer.
Some people at this time might experience slight pelvic discomfort or mild cramps before or during ovulation. Sometimes it can be a distinct sharp pain in the abdomen. It has a clinical term and is also called mittelschmerz.