What are the signs of ovulation?

What does cervical mucus do around ovulation?

ACOG describes it like this. Just before ovulation, the cervix makes more mucus and it becomes thin and slippery. Just after ovulation, there is less of it, and it is thicker and less noticeable.

Medicines, feminine hygiene products, douching, sex, breastfeeding and pelvic exams that use lubrication can all change how mucus looks and feels. That can make the sign harder to read.

What does basal body temperature show?

Basal body temperature is your temperature at full rest. In most people it rises slightly, by about 0.5 to 1°F, around ovulation and stays higher until the end of the cycle. You take it every morning after waking, before you get up or have anything to eat or drink.

Because it rises after ovulation, ACOG notes it is not a good method on its own for avoiding or planning pregnancy. A fever from illness can also throw the reading off.

Can I tell when I’m ovulating from the calendar alone?

Not reliably. The day moves around from cycle to cycle, even for people with regular periods, so a date in an app is an estimate. Combining signs, for example mucus and temperature, gives a better picture than any single one.

Is ovulation the same as being fertile?

No. The fertile window is wider. Sperm can survive inside the body for about 3 days, sometimes up to 5, and an egg for about 24 hours after ovulation. So pregnancy is possible from sex in the days before ovulation as well as on the day itself.