Symptoms of ovulation

Sore breasts, pinching ovaries, or even an increased libido: Are your hormones acting up even though you're only halfway through your cycle? You may well be experiencing symptoms of ovulation . Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from your ovaries and occurs 14 days before the start of your period. While ovulation is asymptomatic for many menstruators, some report a variety of recurring symptoms they experience with each menstrual cycle. But how do you know which symptoms are common and which are less common? Let's discover the different symptoms of ovulation together.

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Pelvic pain or ovulatory pain

The first symptom of ovulation is pelvic pain , which some women may experience when a mature egg is released from one of their ovaries. This is also called ovarian pain .

Most often, it will be a pinching in the lower abdomen where the working ovary is located, but some women also report severe localized pain.

How to respond to pelvic pain?

Ovarian pain around ovulation is a normal symptom of ovulation. Since cycles are all different, it may or may not be recurrent. If it is recurrent and uncomfortable to the point of disrupting your daily life, you can respond with a painkiller (just because pain is natural doesn't mean you have to endure it). CBD and electrostimulation can also be a useful solution to calm your pelvic pain around the time of ovulation and your period.

🌈In our store, we offer a variety of sublingual CBD oils, ideal for getting started with CBD and understanding its effects on your body. 15% CBD oil is known to be very effective against these pains.

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🌈Among our favorite products, you will also find the Bluetens electrostimulation device which helps fight against menstrual cramps and, a fortiori , against ovulation pain. It comes in the form of a box extended by electrodes to be placed on the painful area. An application then allows you to modulate the intensity of the electrical stimulation.

Is it normal if it's really too painful?

If your pelvic pain is severe and lasts for a long time, it may be a sign of another health problem or that there is a problem with your ovulation (endometriosis and ovarian cysts, for example, are causes of severe abdominal pain during ovulation). It would then be a good idea for you to consult your doctor or gynecologist, who will carry out a medical examination and suggest additional health tests, if deemed necessary.

Ovulation causes breast tenderness

The third common symptom of ovulation is discomfort in the breasts and nipples. This can take several forms: tightness, swelling, pain when touched or even when moving, sensitive nipples (when exercising, walking), etc.

This sensitivity begins at the time of ovulation and can last for a few days (during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle) or until the arrival of menstruation, 14 days later.

How to respond to chest pain?

Breast discomfort in the days surrounding ovulation is a normal symptom of ovulation. However, just because pain is natural doesn't mean you have to endure it. If it's uncomfortable enough to disrupt your daily life, you can consult a healthcare professional: they can help by prescribing a hormonal cream to apply to your breasts to relieve the tightness.

A cream to relieve breast pain during ovulation

Breast pain during ovulation is similar to that experienced during menstruation. That's why you can turn to creams to soothe breast tightness during your period , such as one of our favorite products, 🌈 Tits Party cream, a soothing comforting treatment for breasts from Nidéco. Our tip: put the cream in the fridge and apply it cold to your chest to quickly soothe your pain!

Ovulation can cause nausea

Nausea is a commonly reported symptom of ovulation. It is caused by the rapid change in sex hormone levels in the body of menstruating people. This symptom lasts from a few hours to about two days.

Is it “normal” to have nausea around ovulation?

Nausea is often associated with pregnancy. Feeling nauseous around the time of ovulation or in the days following ovulation can be interpreted as pregnancy. While some menstruating people can indeed detect pregnancy early due to nausea (as well as breast pain), it's more likely that your nausea is due to ovulation.

You may need to consider pregnancy if nausea lasts longer than a few days and you notice a delay in your period. In other words: don't worry too much at first!

Bloating and water retention possible during ovulation

Abdominal bloating and water retention are another symptom associated with ovulation. Studies suggest that the surge in hormones that occurs at this time leads to significant water retention, and with it, a bloated feeling similar to what some women experience just before their period. Symptoms last from a few hours to about two days.

How to respond to the feeling of bloating

The feeling of bloating and swelling that occurs in the days surrounding ovulation is a completely normal and common symptom. That being said, and as we've already reiterated in this article: just because pain is normal doesn't mean you have to accept it.

On the one hand, acting on your diet can help you:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. 🌈 Our tip? Start drinking a herbal tea around the time of your ovulation to help alleviate your premenstrual syndrome . This will not only keep you well hydrated but also help you start preparing for the end of your cycle! We particularly recommend Miyé's Mood & Happy Cycles Infusion, one sachet per day, from ovulation to the start of your period.
• Limit your salt intake during this period and, as a result, reduce your consumption of foods containing a lot of salt (processed foods and fast food in particular).

On the other hand, you can consult a healthcare professional who can prescribe treatments to help you relieve your pain. Indeed, a change in diet may not be enough to relieve your pain. As for the hormonal upheaval happening in your body, it can push you to consume foods that you should avoid! (Yes, we all know that... Strength to you!).

Ovulation can alter mood

Ovulation is a hormone surge : LH and LSH increase, and their peak triggers the release of the egg. Estrogen is also at very high concentrations at this point in the menstrual cycle. This is why your mood may fluctuate during the two days surrounding ovulation —much like what happens, for some women, just before their period.

To a lesser extent than premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mood changes. Irritability, increased fatigue, a feeling of constantly exploding, a sense of being in slow motion... The effects can vary from person to person, but hormones can really impact menstruating people around the time of ovulation.

How to manage mood changes?

If your mood swings during ovulation to the point where you feel like you no longer recognize yourself, it is possible to talk to your doctor and find solutions to help you. After reviewing your medical situation, they may order additional tests, if necessary, or refer you to an endocrinologist if they believe you may have a hormonal imbalance. It is also possible that your doctor will consider this variation "normal" or at least without pathological origin: in this case, there may be solutions, such as taking hormonal contraception that smooths out the action of hormones.

Limit your emotional disorders with food supplements

🌈 The SOVA brand has developed a range of food supplements to address the most common symptoms of PMS. The PCOS Serenity food supplement treatment has been developed specifically to alleviate emotional disturbances , perfect for soothing mental tension, regaining a positive mood and peaceful sleep. The treatment lasts 1 month and thus has the virtue of smoothing out mood if you start taking it as soon as your period ends.

Sticky cervical mucus

The second most common symptom of ovulation is the change in the texture of your vaginal discharge, also called cervical mucus . This changes throughout the menstrual cycle : the discharge starts out thick and white before becoming thinner, almost liquid and translucent . It finally becomes sticky during the luteal period.

To promote fertilization of the egg about to be released, the mucus becomes more abundant, slippery, and translucent. Its texture is similar to egg white. This facilitates the passage and survival of sperm so they can reach the egg.

So, if you notice this change in the texture of your vaginal discharge: don't panic! It simply means that you are about to ovulate or have recently ovulated.

Light bleeding

Another possible and benign symptom of ovulation is the appearance of very light bleeding, also called spotting.

Although very light, this bleeding is not pathological. Research tends to show that it is linked to the physiological phenomenon of ovulation: the tension of the ovarian follicle fluid increases and eventually causes the follicle to rupture and the egg to be expelled. When the follicle ruptures suddenly, it can cause a small blood vessel to rupture, which generates this mild, benign bleeding.

What flow is considered “normal”?

It is always difficult to talk about normality when it comes to the menstrual cycle, as there are so many specific cases. Bleeding due to ovulation is generally not very heavy and is much lighter than menstrual flow . Often, it is only traces of blood, or spotting, which will last a few hours, at most one to two days. Since the source of the bleeding is the rupture of a small blood vessel, it can be accompanied by a pinching sensation in the lower abdomen.

When should you consult a healthcare professional?

Bleeding between periods is most often related to ovulation if it occurs in the middle of your cycle. However, as a general rule, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if bleeding between periods occurs, especially if it is accompanied by pain or lasts for more than two days. Other causes can generate bleeding and, while they are not necessarily serious (presence of a uterine fibroid or genital infection, for example), they need to be treated.

Increased libido

The days surrounding ovulation correspond to the days when menstruating people are most fertile, so it is not uncommon for them to observe an increase in their libido during this time! It is ultimately quite natural.

If you tend to have this peak in libido, nothing too serious! ;) Just remember to protect yourself with the method of contraception that suits you if you are not planning a baby because this is the period of your cycle when you are most likely to get pregnant .

Natural latex condoms for protection

Protecting yourself during sexual intercourse, during ovulation, and more broadly, at all stages of your cycle, is essential. To avoid getting pregnant, but also for your health.

🌈Our favorite products are the ultra-thin natural latex condoms without controversial ingredients from the My Lubie brand . We selected them because they are healthy, vegan and odorless. Very thin and very strong, these condoms allow you to enjoy the moment without worrying about the rest!

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Change in position and firmness of the cervix

Another (rather subtle) symptom of your approaching ovulation: the position and firmness of your cervix ! During ovulation, the cervix is softer (with a texture similar to that of an earlobe), slightly open, and may be positioned slightly higher in the abdomen . Changes in the position of your cervix may be felt when practicing certain sexual positions or during a gynecological exam.

Um... How does your cervix feel?

Touching your cervix at different times during your cycle will help you better perceive its variations in position and firmness.

For that :

1. The first time, choose a time when your cervix is likely to be low and therefore easier to reach. Usually, this is the time that coincides with your period (just before or just after your period);
2. Wash your hands and the underside of your nails well, and remember to file your nails to avoid scratching yourself;
3. Depending on which position is easiest for you to adopt, squat on the floor or put one leg up (on the edge of your bathtub or on the toilet seat);
4. With your palm facing up and towards you, gently insert your index finger inside your vagina. If necessary, you can add a little lubricant;
5. With your fingertip, feel for a small, rounded point at the bottom of your vagina, with a small dimple in the center. Your cervix is usually located toward the top of the vaginal wall (more toward your stomach than toward your back).
6. If you wish, repeat this process at several points during your menstrual cycle to better understand how your body works.

Unusual signs during ovulation

While the symptoms mentioned above are fairly common among most menstruating people, others can be more bothersome, or even pathological in origin. We've compiled them below. If you experience any of these symptoms, we recommend making an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss them.

Severe and prolonged pain

While a slight twinge in the lower abdomen in the days surrounding ovulation is common, experiencing real, intense, and prolonged pain over several days is more disturbing. While this can occur naturally during a somewhat unusual cycle (all our cycles are different!), several disorders and illnesses can cause significant pain during menstruation. This is particularly the case for:

• PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder that affects the ovaries in menstruating people of reproductive age. In addition to generating multiple cysts in the ovaries, it has several symptoms such as pain around ovulation , menstrual irregularity, and hormonal imbalances. PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women and affects approximately 1 in 10 menstruating people.
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a disease related to the functioning of the endometrium (another name for the uterine lining). In a healthy woman, not carrying the disease, it develops during the luteal phase to accommodate the fertilized egg and provide it with a nest and disintegrates when the latter is not fertilized. But in people with endometriosis, it spreads outside the uterus, without reabsorbing, even creating adhesions in the organs surrounding the uterus. Among the symptoms of endometriosis, we find violent and long-lasting pelvic pain at the time of ovulation .

Heavy bleeding

As we mentioned earlier, spotting can be observed during ovulation. It is most often a small blood vessel that ruptures when the ovulatory follicle releases the mature egg. However, these few drops of blood should not be considered a period ! If you have heavy bleeding around the time of ovulation , it is important to consult a doctor to discuss it. The cause of this is most often benign, but it is important to take care of it.

• Wounds in the genital area : Like all other areas of the body, the genital area can be injured and bleed. This type of injury can particularly occur during sexual intercourse, and penetrative sex can reactivate an old injury and prevent it from healing. While healing can occur naturally (particularly by stopping penetrative sex), it may be necessary to consult a doctor to take anti-inflammatories and prevent infection if the bleeding continues.
• Presence of a uterine fibroid: Fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the uterus or fallopian tubes. They are not cancerous but can cause pelvic pain and bleeding and may require surgery to remove. Consult a doctor for more information: they will suggest additional tests if they deem it necessary.
• Genital infection: Various infections (sexually transmitted diseases or local infections) can cause bleeding around ovulation and more broadly throughout the menstrual cycle. If you experience regular bleeding outside of your period and it goes beyond spotting, consult a doctor for more information.
• More rare case, uterine cancer: in rare cases, bleeding outside of your period can be linked to uterine or cervical cancer. This diagnosis is most often accompanied by other symptoms such as significant weight loss, fatigue, etc. This is why it is necessary to consult a doctor if you bleed between your periods. Only he or she will be able to take your symptoms into account to make a diagnosis and ensure your treatment.

Symptoms associated with infection

Before concluding this article, let's take a moment to look at the symptoms associated with genital infections. This may help you determine whether the symptoms you're experiencing are related to ovulation or an infection!

• Burning sensation: If you feel like your genital area is burning (during intercourse or when urinating), it is highly likely that you have an infection (urinary or sexual). Various tests (smear or urine test) can quickly understand the origin of the infection and treat it: talk to your doctor!
• Fever: Fever is THE number one symptom that should make you think of an infection. Your body is fighting off the infection and generating heat to kill the bacteria! Fever is not a normal symptom of ovulation (although basal body temperature can increase around the time of ovulation , it is not called a fever!).
• Unusual odor: While vaginal discharge changes texture during ovulation, it should not change in odor. If your discharge smells different, you may have an infection, such as vaginosis.
• Abnormal discharge: Similarly, vaginal discharge and its texture throughout the cycle are known. Around ovulation, it is supposed to be thin and translucent and can be stickier around the time of your period and thicker right after. It can also change color slightly and be brown at the very end of your period. Any textures or colors other than those mentioned here may raise questions, and if they are associated with unpleasant odors, you may have an infection.