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I’ve been loving the growing conversations online about menstrual cycles. The rise of apps and tools for tracking cycles is such a great step toward body awareness and empowerment.

But here’s the thing: some of the information floating around can be a bit misleading. There’s a wide range of what’s considered “normal” or “optimal,” and I’m noticing that people are starting to worry about things that aren’t necessarily a problem.

So, over these four weeks, I’m breaking down the phases of the menstrual cycle to help bring more clarity and confidence to your tracking journey.

Welcome to Part 3: The Ovulatory Phase.

Part 3: ovulation

When:

After the follicular phase. Ovulation is the shortest but arguably the most important phase of the menstrual cycle—not just for fertility, but also for overall hormone balance.

What's Happening:

Estrogen peaks, which triggers a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH).
This LH surge causes the release of an egg from the ovary; ovulation.
After the egg is released, the follicle left behind in the ovary starts producing progesterone.

Progesterone plays a critical role in:

Maturing the uterine lining
Calming the mind
Supporting restful sleep

👉 Important note: We do not make progesterone unless we ovulate. This is why ovulation is so essential, even if you’re not trying to get pregnant.

how can i tell if i’m ovulating?

There are several signs your body might give you. These can vary slightly from person to person, but here are some common ones:

Cervical mucus changes: You might notice a thin, egg-white-like discharge that can stretch about an inch. This is the body’s way of helping sperm travel, and it’s usually one of the easiest symptoms to observe.
Mittelschmerz: A small cramp on one side of the lower abdomen—this happens when the egg is released.
Increased libido: Many women feel more interested in sex around ovulation.
Cervical position changes: The cervix becomes softer, higher, and more open. (You can feel this by gently inserting fingers into the vagina.) As menstruation approaches, the cervix becomes lower and firmer.
Basal body temperature rise: After ovulation, body temperature typically rises about 0.5°C and stays elevated for the rest of the cycle.
- Wearables like the Oura Ring or Tempdrop can help track this change more easily.
Positive Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK): These tests detect the LH surge that precedes ovulation.
- ⚠️ Keep in mind: OPKs aren’t accurate for everyone. For example, women with PCOS may show higher LH levels throughout the cycle, which can give misleading results.

Why Ovulation Matters

We want you to be ovulating, because ovulation is what allows your body to make the hormones it needs for both short- and long-term health.

In PCOS, one of the common challenges is lack of ovulation.
In perimenopause, ovulation starts to occur less frequently.

Tracking the signs of ovulation can give you valuable insight in both of these situations. You’ll gain a better understanding of your body and can work with your healthcare provider to support your cycle.