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Ok ladies, so we've all heard of ovulation. Right?!
But what is it exactly? What should you look out for when it comes to your menstrual cycle, particularly ovulation?
And I just want to mention, that not all women ovulate on day 14! This notion of ovulating on day 14 is based on a 28 day cycle, but my cycle length and yours can differ greatly! To estimate when your ovulation MAY have occurred, you can count back two weeks from when your period arrived.
Ovulation occurs when your dominant follicle ruptures and releases an egg. This rupture is caused by the increase production of your Luteinizing Hormone also known as LH. Once this egg has been released, it makes it's way down your Follopian Tube to meet with sperm for fertilization. The other non dominant follicles are reabsorbed by your ovary.
Ovulation is essential for your hormone balance and to maintain a pregnancy (if that's on your mind right now). After ovulation, the empty follicle restructures itself to become the Corpus Luteum and produces progesterone.
So basically, No Ovulation = No Progesterone.
Look out for this around ovulation:
1) Your fertile mucus will become similar to an egg white texture- Your cervical mucus changes throughout your menstrual cycle. When you begin to see egg white texture, either on your undies or when using a toilet paper, you know its go time!
2) You feel confident and sexy- The rise in estrogen and testosterone before ovulation is natures way of letting us know that we are fertile! It's time to reproduce.
3) You have more energy- Have you notice that during your period your energy is zero and you may not have motivation to get any of your chores done, let alone to get off the couch to shower? Well girl, during your ovulation phase your energy is back! Time to get out that to-do list!
4) Rise in your BBT- If you track your cycle and your BBT (Basel Body Temperature) you will be able to predict if ovulation OCCURED. You will want to see .5-1 degree increase on your thermometer for at least 3 consecutive days. If you see this, you can confirm ovulation!
Stick around for another blog post coming soon about the benefits of your sex hormone, Progesterone!
xoxo
Chaya Lezell RDN, CDN
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