5 Signs you are Ovulating

Daniel Chukwuemeka Onyemachi

Ovulation is when a mature egg (follicle) ruptures or is released from your ovary, which occurs mid-way into your menstrual cycle. Ovulation is essential in female reproductive health as it determines whether you are fertile to get pregnant or not. 

Not many women tend to pay attention to whether or not she ovulates, except enlightened ones, and those desiring to get pregnant desperately. Ovulation, for waiting mothers, is much more desired than menstrual flow. For women in general, ovulation is golden! Incase of doubt about your ovulation, you would be advised to go do ovulation tracking scan (folliculometry) and hormonal assay test. Though every woman should ovulate, but the truth is, not every woman does. This could be due to some under-liying hormonal issues.

Such an issue which may interfare with ovulation is known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This is an effect of hormonal imbalance. The cause of hormonal imbalance is a malfunctioning pituitary gland in the brain.

What is PCOS?

It is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A medical condition in which women of reproductive age secret more of the male hormone called “androgen”. When this happens, the ovaries are unable to mature eggs that appear in them. This usually leads to the presence of numerous undeveloped follicles in the ovaries, which results in an increase in the size of the ovaries. This is a classic feature seen in ultrasound Transvaginal scan (TVS). PCOS could occur in one or in both ovaries.

Signs you may have PCOS

1. Acne
2. Facial hair, especially in the chin

3. Weight gain
4. Lengthy/irregular cycles

With PCOS, can I still get pregnant

It may be challenging to achieve Pregnancy with PCOS.

Remedies for PCOS

You would have to walk up to a gyna and ask for possible options you may choose from. Such options may include the administration of drugs or surgery. Yes, PCOS may be corrected surgically.   

Signs you are ovulating are:

1. Discharge of egg white (a slippery mucus)
2. Brief lower abdominal pain(+/-)
3. Breast tenderness
4. Increased sexual urge
5. Increased body temperature.

Once you can confirm you are ovulating, you will soon be a pregnant woman if you are sure your hobby's sperm is of adequate quality.

What form of scan can I do to confirm ovulation?

Do a follicular tracking ultrasound scan. It is otherwise called ovulation or folliculometry which is aimed at monitoring your follicles in your ovaries to ascertain they are developing fine, and to look out for a possible ovulation eventually. This investigation will be carried out using a special transducer known as Transvaginal tranducer. You will be asked to come for the scan on alternate days. The term Transvaginal means the examination will be carried out via your vagina so as to get reasonably closer to your ovaries and uterus for clearer observation of your eggs.  Your  follicles are expected to rupture on your Ovulation day which indicates you are ovulating.