How can you determine ovulation?

Ovulation is triggered by the increase in the hormone LH. LH can be determined with ovulation tests in urine. Thus, the change in the LH concentration in the urine can be used to determine whether and when ovulation has occurred.

In addition, the so-called cervical mucus also changes after ovulation. The observation of the cervical mucus as a contraceptive method is also called the Billings method. The method is based on the fact that the cervical mucus is at its most fluid and has the greatest spinnability on the day of ovulation.

With a certain degree of experience, the different phases of the cervical mucus and also ovulation can be estimated relatively well with this method. In addition to observing the cervical mucus, it is useful to determine the basal body temperature. The temperature is measured in the morning after getting up in the mouth or rectally.

Temperature measurements in the armpit or on the forehead are usually too inaccurate. Before ovulation, the body temperature drops a little and then increases by up to half a degree on the day of ovulation. Both the Billings method and the measurement of basal body temperature are optimized for the normal cycle without taking the pill.

If you want to determine whether ovulation has occurred despite taking the pill, the methods may not work as reliably. In this case, the concentration of LH in the urine should be measured to obtain certainty.Both the Billings method and basal body temperature measurement are optimized for the normal cycle without taking the pill. If you want to determine whether ovulation has occurred despite taking the pill, the methods may not be as reliable. In this case, the concentration of LH in the urine should be measured to obtain certainty.

These symptoms can indicate that ovulation occurs despite the pill

The symptoms that can occur during ovulation are all rather unspecific and are not perceived to the same extent by every woman. Chest pain or a moderate pain at the time of ovulation may be felt. Furthermore, a small percentage of all women experience ovulation bleeding.

This is caused by the sudden drop in the hormone estrogen. The bleeding is usually very light. A discolored discharge may also occur.

It is important to note that this ovulatory bleeding can be confused with a menstrual bleeding, but should still be prevented if you do not wish to have children. A well-known symptom that can occur 10 to 14 days before menstruation, i.e. also at ovulation, is premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This syndrome is associated with a wide variety of possible symptoms.

These may include fatigue, irritability, depressive mood swings or edema. The severity of the premenstrual syndrome can vary. Some women do not notice any changes, while it can also lead to temporary inability to work.

There are no body signals that reliably indicate ovulation. In some cases, women experience unspecific symptoms that can be linked to ovulation. At first, the so-called Mittelschmerz can be noticed.

This is perceived as cramping or pulling in the right or left lower abdomen. The pain is caused by the bursting of the egg follicle. Only about one third of all women experience this pain at all.

The situation is similar with breast pain. These typically occur in the second half of the female cycle, but can also occur near the time of ovulation. Breast pain varies in intensity among women and can also be perceived as swelling of the breast. In the fertile phase at ovulation and in the days following ovulation, some women have an increased libido, which then flattens out again over the course of the second half of the cycle.