Ovulation
Ovulation is a phase in the female menstrual cycle that releases an egg (ovum) from the ovaries. It happens 14 days before a menstrual period. Just like there are early signs and symptoms to pregnancy, there are a couple of signs and symptoms to ovulation: there's a small rise in basal temperature and there are changes in cervical mucus.
Most women have an ovulation once a month till menopause or pregnancy, but some women can experience irregular or no ovulation.
| < |
Signs of Ovulation
Mucus change
2 weeks before ovulation, you may experience sticky mucus discharge. This mucus helps protect the sperm from males.
Abdominal pain
You may experience a slight pain generally from one side of your abdominal.
Temperature
After ovulation, you may notice a small rise in basal temperature. This will tell you ovulation has happened, so if you're using the charting method for conception, you may need to chart it for a couple of months before you can predict the exact ovulation date.
Menstrual cycle
Ovulation is a part if your normal menstrual cycle. In general your menstrual cycle will go from 26 to 36 days. This cycle includes:
Menstruation
This is where your uterine lining sheds.
Follicular phase
This is where your body releases follicule stimulating hormone ( FSH ) which tells the ovaries to produce a cluster of follicles. One of the follicles will produce a mature ovum. Your uterine lining also thickens in this phase in preparation for a fertilised ovum.
Ovulation
Once a follicle matures, a higher burst of oestrogen causes a secretion of gonatotrophin releasing hormone ( GnRH ) which signals a release of luteining hormone ( LH ) and FSH.
High levels of LH triggers the release of the mature ovum into the fallopian tude. The ovum will life for 24 hours if it doesn;t get fertilised by any sperm.
Luteal Phase
The follicle becomes the corpus luteum which makes the hormone progesterone. Unless a fertilised ovum implants into the uterine lining, the corpus luteum dies, and without progesterone, the uterus can't maintain the thickened lining and menstruation occurs.