How do you know if you’re ovulating? Ways to track your ovulation

Tracking your ovulation is a great way to understand your menstrual cycle, boost your chances of falling pregnant, or just stay in tune with your body’s natural rhythm. At Grace Private, our team offers guidance and care to support you at every stage of your fertility journey. 

Whether you’re trying to conceive or just curious about your reproductive health, there are several signs and tools that can help you identify when you’re ovulating.

Why tracking your ovulation matters 

When you start to track your ovulation, it can help you plan (or avoid) pregnancy, explore any fertility issues and gain more insight into your reproductive health. If you’re talking with a fertility specialist it can also provide important information about your menstrual cycle. 

Remember though, if you’ve been trying to conceive for 6 to 12 months without any success, or you have irregular or absent periods, it might be time to chat to a specialist. 

Understanding when you ovulate can help you plan (or avoid) pregnancy, uncover potential fertility issues, and gain more insight into your overall reproductive health. It’s also a helpful tool when talking to a fertility specialist, as it can provide valuable information about your cycle.

If you’ve been trying to conceive for 6–12 months without success, or you have irregular or absent periods, it might be time to chat with a specialist.

Common signs of ovulation 

Can you recognise the signs of ovulation? Your body often gives off subtle signals that ovulation is approaching – some common signs include: 

• Changes in cervical mucus: Around ovulation, cervical mucus often becomes clear, and stretchy – resembling raw egg whites. 
• Slight rise in basal body temperature (BBT): After ovulation, your BBT typically rises by 0.2–0.5°C due to increased progesterone levels.
• Mild pelvic or abdominal pain: Known as mittelschmerz, some women feel a slight twinge or cramp on one side of the lower abdomen during ovulation.
• Increased libido: You may notice a natural rise in sexual desire around ovulation, driven by hormonal changes.
• Breast tenderness: Some women have sore breasts or nipples during ovulation.
• Changes in mood or energy: Often women feel more energetic, confident or emotionally uplifted during this time.

Ways to track your ovulation

There are a few different ways you can track your ovulation, with some women choosing to combine methods to get the most accurate results. 

Fertility tracking apps – These are great and allow you to log your symptoms, cycle days and test results to track your ovulation more accurately. 

Cervical mucus monitoring – By watching your cervical mucus throughout your cycle you can recognise when you’re approaching ovulation. 

Calendar method – When your cycle is regular, it’s possible to estimate ovulation by counting backward 14 days from the start of your next expected period. This method isn’t useful if your cycle is irregular.

Temperature tracking – Taking your temperature first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed, and recording it daily can help you track your ovulation. 

Ovulation predictor kits – These test your urine for luteinising hormone (LH), which occurs 24-36 hours before ovulation. They can be purchased at most pharmacies. 

Fertility with Grace Private

At Grace Private, our team of obstetricians, gynaecologists and fertility specialists offer personalised support for women, whether you’re having difficulty conceiving or want to learn more about your reproductive health. Our specialists take time to understand your cycle, run tests, and create a plan that’s tailored to your needs. 

Tracking your ovulation

Tracking your ovulation is a great way to understand your body and monitor your reproductive health. Whether you’re looking to start a family, or just want to feel more in control, this knowledge is empowering. 

If you have questions or want to learn more about ovulation tracking, fertility or reproductive health, the team at Grace Private is here.