What Is Ovulation?

• Mild pain in the abdomen or pelvisor mittelschmerz
• Light vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Thinclearslippery discharge from the vagina

  [3]

• Slight increase in resting (basal) body temperature

  [3]

• Soreswollen breasts
• Bloating
• Moodiness
• Increased sex drive
• Changes in appetite

Eggs develop in follicles inside the ovaries. Between the 6th and 14th day of the menstrual cycleFSH and LH act on cells of the ovaries to help an egg mature. Between day 10 and 14one egg fully matures. At around day 14LH levels surge and trigger ovulation.

Another way to tell is by looking for signs of ovulationlike changes in cervical mucus or basal body temperature. During ovulationvaginal discharge will become thinclearand slippery like egg whitesand the resting (basal) body temperature will rise slightly.

Medication Options

• Clomiphene citrate (ClomidSerophene) is a pill that stimulates the pituitary gland to release more FSH and LHcausing an egg to grow and be released.
• Letrozole (Femara) also increases FSH levels to induce ovulation.
• Gonadotropins (MenopurGonal-FFollistum) are stronger medicines that trigger "superovulation," or the release of multiple eggs at once.

  [7]

  These medicines can help people over 40 conceive by making several egg follicles develop at once.
• Metformin triggers ovulation by improving insulin resistancea common cause of infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Bromocriptine (CyclosetParlodel) helps with ovulation problems caused by excess production of the hormone prolactin from the pituitary gland.

Complementary and Integrative Therapies 

• Acupuncture
• Herbal therapy
• Massage
• Meditation

A few life changes can improve fertilitytoo.

Stay at a Healthy Weight

A body mass index between 19 and 24 is considered ideal for ovulation and pregnancy. Your doctor can recommend a diet and exercise program to help you stay at a healthy body weight.

Avoid Unhealthy Habits

Any of these things might alter hormone levels in ways that disrupt ovulation.

• Smoking: Chemicals in tobacco smoke lower levels of estrogen and progesterone.

  [13]

   This drop in hormones can cause a reduction in egg quantity and quality. Smoking also damages the DNA in eggsincreasing the risk for miscarriage and birth defects.
• Heavy alcohol use: Drinking more than one or two alcoholic beverages each day could affect ovulation.

  [14]

   Abstention from alcohol is best when you’re trying to conceive.
• Caffeine: While one or two small (6- to 8-ounce) cups of coffee a day shouldn't affect the ability to get pregnantdrinking more than that might cause problems with ovulation and reproduction.

  [11]

• Chemical exposure: Exposure to pesticidesheavy metalsdry cleaning chemicalsand other toxins in the environment and at work might have a negative effect on ovulation and fertility.

  [15]

Exercise in Moderation

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
• PCOS
• Premature ovarian failurewhich is when the ovaries stop working before age 40
• Too much prolactina hormone made by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production after childbirth

It's usually felt in the lower belly or pelvisoften on the side where the egg is released. Mittelschmerz isn't harmful and it shouldn't affect fertility.

• Ovulation is the time during the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovaryusually around day 14 of the menstrual cycle.
• Infertility drugs stimulate ovulation in women who are trying to conceive. Hormonal birth control stops ovulation.
• Smokingexposure to toxic chemicalsexercising too vigorouslyand drinking alcohol to excess can affect ovulation.
• If you experience any concerning symptoms during ovulationsuch as persistent painit's critical to see a healthcare provider for evaluation to rule out underlying conditions.