Ovulation is not just about getting pregnant. If you’re not ovulating, you are at risk of many health issues, including weight gain, insomnia, mood swings, acne, PMS and menopausal symptoms down the line.
Do you know whether you’re ovulating? Why should you care? That’s what we’re going to be talking bout in this blog post. If this is something you feel you may need help with, I’d love to chat with you!
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary, allowing it to be fertilized by sperm and potentially lead to pregnancy. However, ovulation is important for more than just the possibility of conceiving a child. During the process of ovulation, the ovary also releases a hormone from the corpus luteum called progesterone, which plays a crucial role in several bodily functions.
Progesterone – our pro-gestation hormone – is a hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for pregnancy. It helps thicken the lining of the uterus, making it more receptive to a fertilized egg. In addition, progesterone helps maintain a pregnancy by preventing contractions of the uterus and promoting the growth of the placenta. Progesterone, however, also has several non-reproductive functions in the body. It helps regulate blood sugar levels, support bone health, and promote healthy sleep. It can also have a calming effect on the brain, helping to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Progesterone keeps estrogen – our stimulating hormone of growth and proliferation – in check. When a woman’s progesterone levels are low, she may experience fertility issues, spotting, irritability, insomnia, weight gain, mood swings, and changes in the breasts. If progesterone is low, you may also experience symptoms of estrogen dominance, such as irregular menstrual bleeding, clotting, cysts and fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, irritability and insomnia.
Why is it important to ovulate each month?
Here’s the reason why we should care about ovulation: If we do not ovulate, we do not produce progesterone, and that can lead to a host of hormonal imbalance symptoms mentioned above. There are a number of factors that can impair ovulation, including contraceptive medication, xenoestrogens, stress, undereating, and overexercising. Certain conditions such as PCOS can also have a negative impact on ovulation. Contraceptive medication, such as birth control pills, can interfere with ovulation by preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries. Xenoestrogens are chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body, and they can interfere with the delicate balance of hormones that is necessary for ovulation to occur. Stress, Undereating and overexercising can also impair ovulation by disrupting the part of the brain that regulates the menstrual cycle, and interfering with the production of hormones that are necessary for ovulation to occur.
So how do we know if we’re ovulating? There are a few different ways to tell ,Here are some key signs to look out for!
Cervical mucus changes
One of the most common signs of ovulation is a change in cervical mucus. As you approach ovulation, your body produces more estrogen, which causes an increase in cervical mucus. This mucus becomes clear and stretchy, similar to the consistency of egg whites. This is to make it easier for the sperm to travel up the cervix to reach the egg. If you’re hoping to get pregnant, this is the time to have sex. If you are not noticing the cervical mucus, it could be due to dehydration, having a sedentary lifestyle or poor circulation, or a hormonal imbalance.
Basal body temperature changes
Another way to tell whether you are ovulating is by monitoring your body temperature. Your basal body temperature (BBT) is your body’s temperature at rest, and it can be affected by hormonal changes. Just before ovulation, a woman’s basal body temperature may drop slightly. Afer ovulation, your body produces more progesterone, which can cause a slight increase in your BBT, about half a degree Celcius. By taking your temperature every morning before you get out of bed and tracking it on a chart, you can look for patterns and see if there is a consistent temperature shift around the time you ovulate. This can help you understand if you are ovulating, and when in your cycle this is occurring. Not seeing a clear shift in your body temperature can be a sign that you are not ovulating, and chronically low body temperatures could indicate a sluggish thyroid, which will impact your metabolic and reproductive health.
Increased libido
An obvious sign that you are approaching ovulation is also an increase in libido. During the menstrual cycle, a woman’s hormones fluctuate, and in addition to a surge in estrogen and LH, one of the hormones that increases around ovulation is testosterone. This increase in testosterone can help to increase a woman’s sex drive and make her more interested in sexual activity. In addition to its effects on libido, testosterone is also important for maintaining healthy bones and muscles, and it can help to improve mood and cognitive function. This increase in sex drive is thought to be a way to increase the likelihood of conception. Ever feel more frisky at certain times of the month or find yourself eyeing up the postman? That will be your hormones surging getting you in the mood to make a baby! Multiple studies have also concluded that men find women more attractive during ovulation, so you may find that the frisky feeling is mutual! Some people may not experience an increase in libido during ovulation. In addition, other factors, such as stress, fatigue, and medications, can also affect libido. However, having a healthy libido is a sign of good overall health, regardless of whether you are tracking ovulation or not.
Ovulation predictor tests
Finally, ovulation predictor kits are another option for determining when you are ovulating. These kits work by detecting the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. LH levels surge just before ovulation, so a positive result on an ovulation predictor kit is a good indication that you will ovulate within the next 24-36 hours. These are commonly used by women who are looking to get pregnant.
Hopefully you will see the importance of ovulation and a healthy mestrual cycle regardless of whether you are looking to start a family or not, and are feeling inspired to learn more about your menstrual cycle. If you are struggling with fertility, low libido or hormonal issues, I would love to chat to you! Click here to book a free discovery call and let’s chat about how some bespoke diet and lifestyle changes can help your hormones flourish. If you suspect you may be estrogen dominant after hearing the symptoms I mentioned earlier, check out this blog post all about estrogen dominance.
