How do I know if I have ovulated

Adult women ovulate an egg every month, so how do you know if you have ovulated? Generally speaking, ovulation is cyclical. Based on the menstrual period, you can infer whether you have ovulated. There will be many changes in a woman's body before and after ovulation, such as body temperature, mental state, etc. Through monitoring, you can know whether you have ovulated. Let's take a closer look at the monitoring methods below.

Ovarian ovulation can be monitored indirectly.

(1) Basal body temperature monitoring: Basal body temperature refers to the body temperature when you are inactive in the early morning. It is relatively low in the pre-ovulation period and increases significantly by about 0.2 to 0.5°C after ovulation, and continues until the onset of menstruation.

BBT is biphasic, indicating ovulation. It does not occur in menopausal women or women who have had their ovaries removed.

BBT is monophasic: indicating that ovulation may not occur.

(2) Cervical mucus monitoring: In the first half of the menstrual cycle, the cervix does not secrete mucus and the vulva is very dry. After this, the cervix secretes a small amount of thick, opaque mucus. Just before ovulation, with the appearance of the estrogen peak, the cervical mucus becomes thinner, transparent, and clear, and the amount also increases. This is called fertile mucus.

(3) Test strip method: There are ovulation test strips available on the market, which you can buy and do the test yourself. Place the test strip in your urine. If two red lines appear in the "small window" of the test strip, it means ovulation is about to occur. This method requires multiple consecutive tests.

(4) Ultrasound imaging monitoring (B-ultrasound)

Generally, monitoring begins on the 10th day of the menstrual cycle to observe changes in the diameter of the follicles. The diameter of the follicles increases by an average of about 3mm per day in the 4 days before ovulation. The follicles mature to about 17-25mm before ovulation and disappear after ovulation. Continuous monitoring shows that the follicles continue to grow before ovulation. When the largest follicle disappears, ovulation occurs. (This method is reliable, but requires continuous monitoring and is expensive).

(5) Ovulation detector

This method requires purchase and self-testing. Start testing on the second day of menstruation, place the oral sensor on the tongue for 3 seconds each time. After a few days, the instrument's screen will indicate ovulation in advance. This method can be tested once a day.

Of the above four methods, (1), (2), and (3) are relatively rough and have low accuracy, while (4) and (5) are relatively accurate but more expensive.

During each menstrual cycle, mature ovarian follicles gradually approach the surface and rupture, and the mature egg cells contained therein, along with the surrounding corona radiata, are discharged into the abdominal cavity. This process is called ovulation.