Are You Ovulating? 4 Easy Ways to Check
If you have a fertility initial consultation with me, one of the first questions I’ll ask is:
“Are you ovulating?”
Some women answer this confidently. Others are unsure.
Contrary to what you might have thought as a teen trying to avoid pregnancy, there’s actually only a small window each cycle during which conception is possible. Ovulation must occur for pregnancy to happen naturally.
What Is Ovulation?
Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube. Once released, the egg only survives for 12–14 hours.
For conception to occur, sperm must be present and ready to meet the egg during that window.
That’s why timing is everything. If you’re trying to conceive, it’s important to know if and when you’re ovulating.
Can an App Tell You?
One thing that can’t accurately tell you if you’re ovulating:
Period tracking apps that only use your cycle start date and average length.
A 2018 study found that these apps were only 21% accurate at predicting ovulation. So while they can be useful for general tracking, they should not be relied on to pinpoint ovulation.
4 Easy Ways to Check for Ovulation
Here are four evidence-based, practical methods to help determine if you’re ovulating:
1. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Tracking
Your body temperature fluctuates throughout your cycle.
Before ovulation: oestrogen is dominant
After ovulation: progesterone rises and slightly increases body temperature
By taking your BBT every morning and plotting it on a chart, you can identify this shift.
Over a few cycles, you’ll learn when ovulation tends to occur for you.
🔔 I’ll be posting a follow-up article next week with 3 simple steps to get started with BBT tracking.
2. Cervical Mucus Observation
As ovulation nears, your cervical mucus increases and changes:
Starts as sticky or creamy
Becomes clear, wet, stretchy—like egg whites
This is known as fertile mucus. It helps sperm travel through the cervix and into the uterus.
💡 Tip: If you don’t notice mucus on toilet paper or underwear, you can check manually with clean fingers and note the consistency.
3. Cervix Position
Hormonal changes throughout the cycle alter the position and feel of the cervix.
Low, firm, and closed = outside your fertile window
High, soft, and open = approaching ovulation
With clean hands, insert your index finger and feel for the cervix. Over time, you’ll become more familiar with how it feels during different phases.
You might try checking daily from Day 6 of your cycle, perhaps while showering, and recording what you find.
4. Ovulation Prediction Kits (OPKs)
OPKs measure luteinising hormone (LH) in your urine, which surges 12–36 hours before ovulation.
A positive OPK indicates that ovulation is likely to occur soon
They don’t confirm ovulation has happened
For best results, combine OPKs with another method like BBT or cervical mucus tracking.
Other Signs You May Be Ovulating
In addition to the four main methods, some women also notice:
Increased libido – driven by a rise in oestrogen and oxytocin
Mittelschmerz – ovulation pain, often a one-sided cramp or twinge
Breast tenderness – caused by rising oestrogen levels
Higher energy, strength, and confidence – due to increased testosterone
Start Tracking Today
By combining these methods, you can gain a clearer picture of your cycle and whether you’re ovulating.
You can record observations in:
A period tracking app (with manual input)
A physical diary
A printed or digital chart
Understanding your personal ovulation pattern can help you maximise your chances of conception.
If you’d like help interpreting your observations or want to book a fertility consultation (where yes, I’ll ask you “Are you ovulating?”)
