Ovulation Period: How to Predict It Effectively?

Want to know a bit more about your ovulation period? You’re on the right page to learn all the key facts about this stage of the female cycle.

May explains it all.

What are the physical signs indicating the ovulation period?

Let’s look together at the main physical signs that give you valuable clues about where you are in your cycle.

Cervical mucus

Also known as “vaginal discharge.” It is one of the main indicators of fertility and ovulation. You may have already noticed it when wiping after using the toilet.
During ovulation, cervical mucus changes in quality as it becomes creamier. The closer ovulation gets, the more its quality improves, becoming more liquid and transparent.

Two cycle observation methods (the “FAMs”) are based on these changes in cervical mucus throughout the cycle:

• Billings Ovulation Method (based on sensation and descriptive terms): you observe how your vulva feels throughout the day. Do you feel dry? Moist? Wet? Slippery?
• FertilityCare Method (based on touch): you observe your cervical mucus when using the toilet. What does the toilet paper look like? Or your underwear? You can also observe its color and stretchiness.

There’s also the Sensiplan method, which we’ll talk about just below 😉.

Basal body temperature

After ovulation, your basal body temperature rises slightly. By taking your temperature regularly over a long period, you should notice a slight increase after ovulation.
This measurement combined with observing cervical mucus forms a FAM: the Sensiplan method. According to the WHO, this method is more reliable than the pill. However, like all other methods, it requires discipline and a learning curve that varies from woman to woman.

How can basal body temperature help detect the ovulation period?

Once again, measuring basal body temperature (BBT) is a useful way to determine if ovulation has occurred. But how do you do it? It’s simple — you’ll see, measuring BBT is very easy. Here’s how:

• In the morning, as soon as you wake up before getting out of bed.
• At the same time each day ideally.
• With a thermometer that measures to two decimal places.
• Orally, vaginally, or rectally (the most accurate) — always in the same way.

The real challenge is being consistent with temperature tracking.
Have questions? An entire team of midwives is available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to answer you.

Pssst! On May, you can also find a masterclass by Marion Vallet, midwife and co-author of the book The Natural Female Cycle 🎙️. On the agenda: facts vs. myths about FAMs, insights into the real story of the female cycle, and how to choose (and implement) your FAM!

What is the fertile window and why is it important for conception?

When we talk about the fertile window, we’re referring to the third stage of the female cycle: the fertile phase.
Let’s take this opportunity to recall the four phases of the female cycle:

• Menstruation (or periods),
• The pre-ovulatory infertile phase,
• The fertile phase,
• The luteal phase.

The dominant follicle (selected during the pre-ovulatory infertile phase) produces a hormone in increasing quantities for about 5 days until it peaks. This peak signals that the follicle is mature enough to ovulate and is detected by the brain. The brain then initiates the process so that 10 to 12 hours later, ovulation occurs.
The fertile ovulatory phase is therefore crucial for conception as it includes ovulation (when one of your ovaries releases an egg that can be fertilized as it travels to the uterus). It is during this phase, or just before, that sexual intercourse is recommended if you’re trying to get pregnant!

5 key facts about the egg: do you know them?

1. Its microscopic size: the egg is one of the largest cells in the human body. It is the only cell visible to the naked eye. It’s about the size of a pinhole in a sheet of paper.
2. Its short lifespan: once released, the egg can survive for about 12 to 24 hours. That’s a big difference from sperm, which can live up to five days on average during the woman’s fertile phase.

3. Natural selection: each month, during your ovulatory cycle, several follicles begin to develop, but only one will release an egg per cycle. This natural competition among follicles ensures that only the healthiest and most viable eggs are fertilized.

4. Contribution of the X chromosome: the egg always contains an X chromosome. The combination of the egg’s X chromosome with a sperm carrying either an X (girl) or a Y (boy) chromosome determines the baby’s sex.

5. Choosing the suitor: contrary to popular belief, it’s not the sperm that chooses the egg, but the egg that selects the sperm. By releasing chemoattractant molecules, the egg attracts the sperm that is most responsive.

What are the most reliable ovulation tests on the market?

You can buy an ovulation test at the pharmacy. It’s a urine-based test, similar to a pregnancy test. Several brands offer ovulation tests: Clearblue, Care +, Biosynex…
Don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist for more information.

How to take an ovulation test

The ovulation test is done in the bathroom by urinating on one end of it. The urine rises through the test by capillary action and gives the result: negative or positive.
Refer to the instructions to understand how to read positive and negative results.

💡 If you’re not tracking your cycle and cervical mucus daily, you can take several ovulation tests about 5 days before your estimated ovulation date (which can vary). So it’s not always easy to know when to start. Then test daily until you get a positive result.

When the test is positive, it means fertility is high and ovulation will occur within the next few hours and up to 48 hours. It’s the ideal time for sexual intercourse if you’re hoping for pregnancy.

How do hormonal fluctuations influence ovulation?

Ready for a little biology refresher? Ovulation happens mainly thanks to three hormones whose production is coordinated by the brain:
➡️Estradiol: produced in increasing quantities during the fertile phase, its peak signals the brain that the follicle is large enough to ovulate.

➡️Luteinizing hormone (LH): produced by the brain in response to estradiol, it transforms the pre-ovulatory follicle so it can produce a new hormone.

➡️Progesterone: this third and final hormone is produced by the follicle to trigger ovulation.

💡Did you know? In the female menstrual cycle, two main sex hormones dominate: estrogens and progesterone. Estrogens are dominant in the first half of the cycle, while progesterone takes over from ovulation until the next period.

What impact do stress and lifestyle have on the ovulation period?

It’s well known today that stress affects a couple’s fertility. In a stressful situation, both men and women produce cortisol. This hormone acts on the brain and can slow down or even stop fertility. Chronic stress (long-term stress) can therefore have a lasting impact on fertility.
Stress management tools are worth exploring, such as coherent breathing. Easy to practice, it has many benefits for both body and mind. It involves a breathing exercise (explained on May) that slows heart rate to calm the nervous system, reduce stress (which is our concern here), and restore energy. Bonus: it can be done anytime!

If you feel stressed, you might also try meditation, other breathing exercises, or speak to a health professional to discuss it, consider lifestyle changes… In short, anything that helps you manage this complex issue.

How to manage an irregular menstrual cycle to predict ovulation?

It is not possible to predict ovulation! However, you can observe when it happens using FAMs mentioned earlier in this article. Because yes, contrary to common belief, FAMs can also be used with irregular cycles for the simple reason that they rely on real-time observation of your cycle — regular or not, the methods stay the same.

What technologies can help track the ovulation period?

To track your cycle, we encourage you to download our May app. Once installed, head to the cycle tracking tool. You can log your daily symptoms, especially your cervical mucus, to better understand how your body changes throughout the cycle. You can also enter your basal body temperature daily and follow your chart to help identify ovulation!
Now you know everything about the ovulation period! If you have more questions or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to ask our midwives on May — available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. They’ll be happy to help 😊.

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