If you have heard a lot about ovulation from different sources, you must have an idea that ovulation is an important part of women's health. But, how do you know if you are ovulating? Or what symptoms can you look out for?

You need to understand the ovulation process to know the answers. Don’t worry if you have no idea where to start; we have you covered here.

What is Ovulation?

In simple words, ovulation refers to a monthly process in which your ovaries produce an egg. Once the egg is released, it goes to the fallopian tube to get fertilized with the sperm cells. This is typically the main part of your menstrual cycle.  Further steps of ovulation depend on its fertilization with the sperm cells.

If fertilization between sperm cells and egg occurs, the fertilized egg is pushed down to the uterus and gets planted in its lining. This results in a successful pregnancy. However, if sperm cells fail to fertilize the egg, there will be no conception and uterine lining sheds in the form of blood. This shedding of blood (which is an unfertilized egg) from the uterine wall is your menstruation time.

How Can Knowing the Time of Ovulation Help You?

Whether you want to conceive or prevent unintended pregnancies, knowing the right time of ovulation may help you. To do that, you don’t only need to know the ovulation time, but also have to track it. Moreover, if you track your menstrual cycle, it will help you spot irregularities that may be the cause of specific medical issues in your ovulation process.

When Do You Ovulate?  

It is important to know that every woman has different ovulation cycles, so tracking ovulation days like regular days is not possible. In general, ovulation occurs during your menstruation cycle.

That means, if the menstrual cycle is of 28-days, the ovulation will likely to occur on the 14th day. However, ovulation period cannot be gauged in the time frame. It is better to assume that your ovulation may occur four to five days before or after your menstruation cycle.  The period is almost one week long that needs to be carefully tracked if you’re trying to conceive.

 Symptoms of Ovulation

Although determining the exact time of ovulation is difficult, you can look for the symptoms that can help you figure out when you are ovulating. Remember that these symptoms may vary in terms of intensity in different women.

Some of the common symptoms are;

• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal pain
• Change in cervical mucus
• Libido changes
• Light vaginal discharge
• Increased olfactory senses

How can you Calculate Ovulation

Luckily, there are numerous ways to track ovulation cycle.  This is how you can do it;

• By monitoring your basal body temperature
• By charting your period cycle over months
• By using the ovulation calculator and fertility monitor

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, tracking ovulation and your menstrual cycle has plenty of benefits; especially if you’re trying to get pregnant. These are women’s most fertile days, and planning sexual activities around them may result in a successful pregnancy.  Besides this, your healthy diet routine can also help you maintain your menstrual cycle and can keep ovulation and hormone disorders at bay.