Know Your Flow: When Does Ovulation Happen?

Knowing when our period starts (aka when we begin to bleed) is crucial; for many it’s perhaps the most important part of our cycle. That’s because, among other things, it effects daily tasks and can dramatically impact our mood. Another equally important event in our cycle is ovulation.

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovary and down the fallopian tube where it waits to be fertilized. This happens every month (approximately) and the timing matters, for your reproductive prospects, and then some.

So how do you figure out when ovulation occurs? Ovulation usually occurs between 12 and 14 days before your period starts. This is an average, so it could be a couple of days earlier or later.

If you have a regular 28-day menstrual cycle. The first day of your period is day one, about 12 days in you will start to ovulate. Your cycle will look something like this:

via Americanpregnancy.org

Symptoms and signs of ovulation:

Leading up to this, your body produces more estrogen, causing changes in cervical mucus (it become stretchy and clear, like egg whites).

Additional changes in your cervix include that it may become higher, softer and more open.

Some women notice that their sex drive increases during this time.

Brown discharge or spotting is normal if not that common.

You may experience Mittelschwere, which is pain near the ovaries while ovulating.

Thanks to the rush of hormones, breast and nipple sensitivity, tenderness or soreness can occur.

Some more things to know:

• An egg lives 12-24 hours after leaving the ovary.
• Ovulation can be impacted by stress, disruption of your routine, and illness
• Your period can begin even if you don’t ovulate.
• You can ovulate even if you don’t have a period.

As always, we recommend tracking your cycle and listening to your body; knowing your flow will empower you to live your best life.