What does ovulation feel like?
Ovulation is the key time in your cycle when you’re most fertile, usually about 14 days before your period. You might notice subtle signs — like clear, stretchy cervical mucus (or discharge), mild cramps, or a slight rise in body temperature. If you want to avoid pregnancy, track ovulation closely and use reliable birth control during your fertile window. The Julie Morning After Pill (or other OTC levonorgestrel options like Plan B) can help prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it won’t work if you’ve already ovulated.
Periods tend to be the star of your menstrual cycle, but ovulation is an equally important phase that has its own slew of subtle symptoms. Not everyone with a uterus will experience symptoms, but many do, and being aware of these natural cues from your body can be very helpful, especially if you are trying to conceive or want to avoid getting pregnant.
What is ovulation?
First, let’s recap. Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries into a fallopian tube. This is where, if present, a sperm can fertilize an egg. For anyone trying to get pregnant or trying to avoid getting pregnant, the timing of ovulation is crucial since it’s when fertility peaks.
When do you ovulate?
Ovulation occurs mid-cycle, usually about 14 days before a period. For example, in a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation usually occurs around day 14 (the first day of your period is considered day one). However, menstrual cycles can vary significantly from person to person, ranging from 21 to 35 days or more. This means ovulation happens on different days for different people.
Why are you the most fertile?
The key to understanding when you’re fertile is to have a general idea of when you’re ovulating. During ovulation, the chances of becoming pregnant are at their highest because of:
- Egg availability: this is the only time a mature egg is released from the ovary to be fertilized by sperm. The egg is viable (able to be fertilized) for 12-24 hours.
- Cervical mucus: the quality and quantity of cervical mucus change during ovulation creates a more hospitable environment for sperm to swim through.
- A hormonal surge: a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge triggers the egg's release and prepares the body for possible conception.
Signs of Ovulation
Ovulation symptoms vary in intensity, but the more you tune into these changes the more likely you’ll be able to notice them. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of ovulation:
- Cervical mucus changes. One of the most obvious signs of ovulation is a change in cervical mucus. In the days before and after ovulation, cervical mucus can be white or off-white, thin and watery, or dry and tacky. However, as ovulation approaches, your body produces more estrogen causing cervical mucus to become clear, mucus-like, slippery, and stretchy (let’s run back that egg white comparison). This fertile mucus facilitates the passage of sperm into the uterus. Don’t be alarmed if it shows up in your underwear or when you wipe.
- Mid-cycle cramps (Mittelschmerz). Mild pelvic discomfort or cramps can occur during ovulation. Depending on which ovary releases the egg, the pain may occur on either your left or right side. This phenomenon is known as mittelschmerz (meaning "middle pain" in German, of course). The discomfort doesn’t have staying power — expect it to subside within 24 hours.
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT). Another method to track ovulation is by monitoring your basal body temperature. Your BBT rises slightly (about half a degree) after ovulation due to increased progesterone levels. To find out when you ovulate, take your temperature with a digital thermometer around the same time every morning before getting out of bed. Track these temperatures over the course of a few cycles and see if you identify a pattern. Ovulation will happen right before a rise in BBT. You’re most fertile about two to three days before your temperature rises. While many use this method to track ovulation for pregnancy, it’s not foolproof. Temperature may rise sooner in some, and others may not have a temperature change at all. It takes time and consistent tracking to determine if your BBT is a reliable indicator of ovulation.
- Changes in saliva. Though it's unlikely you'll notice a difference, a change in saliva can happen during ovulation. When observed under a microscope, the saliva exhibits fern-like patterns associated with increased estrogen levels, typically seen about 24 hours before ovulation. However, smoking, drinking, and brushing your teeth can all affect the visibility of this change. The more you know!
- Heightened senses. Some people report heightened senses, such as a heightened sense of smell or taste during ovulation. Hormonal changes during ovulation can cause this subtle symptom.
- Breast soreness or tenderness. Breast and nipple soreness or tenderness is another symptom that some women experience during ovulation. Blame it on hormonal fluctuations, particularly increases in estrogen and progesterone, for the discomfort.
- Appetite changes. Ovulation can also impact your appetite. Some report changes in food cravings or appetite during this phase of their cycle, and can vary from increased hunger to a decrease in appetite.
- Libido changes. Your libido, or sex drive, can fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle and often peaks during ovulation. Many report feeling more sexually aroused and interested in intimacy during ovulation.
- Bloating. Mild bloating can also occur during ovulation, thanks to increased water retention in the body. This is typically a temporary symptom and usually subsides after ovulation.
What you should know about ovulation if you’re not trying to get pregnant
Ovulation is often the primary focus for those who want to become pregnant. The five days leading up to and the 24 hours after ovulation (known as the “fertile window”) are when you’re most fertile, but knowing when you’re ovulating can also be a powerful tool for avoiding pregnancy.
While the most reliable way to avoid pregnancy is a long-term birth control method (the pill, ring, patch, IUD, etc.), many individuals do not wish to use or are unable to use hormonal medications. In these cases, barrier methods (like condoms and diaphragms) and the pull-out method can be combined with ovulation tracking for a very effective form of birth control. A person that uses this method makes sure they are using a backup method during the fertile window (the five days leading up to and the 24 hours after ovulation) when engaging in penetrative vaginal sex.
If you have unprotected sex, forgot to take your birth control pill, the condom broke, or you aren’t sure where you are in your cycle, the Julie Morning After Pill™ is a great way to help prevent pregnancy. As an over-the-counter morning-after pill, the Julie Morning After Pill™ can help prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. If there isn’t an egg, there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize. And if there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize, there’s no pregnancy. Science is amazing…
The Julie Morning After Pill™ will not work if you’ve already ovulated. Find out more about its effectiveness during ovulation. The Julie Morning After Pill™ is FDA-approved and legal in all 50 states. Pick up at Target, CVS, Walmart and Amazon or get it delivered now through GoPuff, UberEats, Instacart and Doordash. No ID, credit card, parent or insurance is required.
While we love to share useful and helpful information, the above shouldn’t replace the advice of your healthcare professional. For questions about birth control and other women’s health issues, please talk to your doctor.
Julie wants to keep young women in the driver’s seat of their own stories and provide them with the tools necessary for a happy, healthy sex life.
We know (and have lived!) through the ups and downs of young adulthood firsthand, and we aim to normalize the events, conversations, and questions that come during this period to help destigmatize sexual health. We believe women should live life with total freedom — starting with their ability to choose how, when, and if they become pregnant.
We know that women can make the best choices for themselves when equipped with the right information. We don’t take sexual education lightly and are committed to sharing accurate and factual information through rigorous planning and QA processes. In fact, all Julie content is reviewed by at least two board-certified doctors on our medical board. Learn more about them here.
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Tessa Commers, MD, FAAP, MS is a board-certified pediatrician based in the Seattle area with a particular interest in adolescent health and sexual education. In addition to clinical practice and serving as Head of Medical at Julie, Tessa also founded AskDoctorT — an education platform with over a million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube — aimed at improving adolescent health literacy and body confidence. She also hosted and wrote the puberty podcast “That’s Totally Normal!” and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and educational initiatives focused on child and adolescent wellbeing.
Education: Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City – Pediatric Residency; University of Nebraska Medical Center – Doctor of Medicine (MD); University of Nebraska Medical Center – Master of Science (MS, Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy); New York University – Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Cordelia Nwankwo, MD, FACOG is a native of Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. She then earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Nwankwo completed her training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital. She currently is in private practice in Washington, DC. Dr. Nwankwo’s goal as a provider is to make sure every patient feels heard and able to achieve optimal health.
Education: UT Southwestern Medical School – Doctor of Medicine (MD); Texas A&M – Bachelor of Science (BS)
