Ovulation: Signs You’re Ovulating — and Common Reasons You May Not Be

Ovulation is one of the most important events in the menstrual cycle — yet it’s something many women aren’t taught to recognize. Understanding when (and if) you’re ovulating can offer meaningful insight into your hormones, your cycle health, and your overall well-being.

Ovulation marks the release of an egg from the ovary, and it’s what allows the second half of your cycle — the luteal phase — to even exist as the corpus luteum is produced from the ruptured follicle after ovulation. Without ovulation, there’s no luteal phase, no corpus luteum to produce progesterone, and no fertile window that month.

While ovulation is essential for fertility, it’s also a sign of synchronized hormones and overall health. Below, we’ll walk through common signs you may be ovulating, and some common reasons you may not be, so you can feel more confident understanding your own unique cycle.

Signs You May Be Ovulating

Every woman’s experience is a little different, but these are some of the most common signs the body is preparing to ovulate/ovulating:

1. Cervical mucus becomes clear, stretchy, and more abundant

This “egg-white” cervical mucus is driven by rising estrogen. This distinct change in cervical mucus actually helps sperm survive and travel up towards the egg to fertilize it — and it’s also one of the clearest clues that ovulation is approaching.

2. A rise in mood, energy, confidence, and libido

As estrogen and testosterone peak before ovulation, many women feel their best during this window. You may notice mental clarity, more energy, more confidence, better strength/endurance during workouts, and/or feeling more social than usual.

3. Mid-cycle discomfort, known as Mittelschmerz

Some women experience a brief twinge or ache from one of their ovaries around ovulation. Others may feel it one month and not the next — and many women never feel it at all. All of these patterns can be normal. See my previous blog post specifically focused on Mittelschmerz.

4. Your menstrual cycles are a normal, consistent length

Regular cycles (typically 21–35 days) often suggest ovulation is occurring, though timing can vary from woman to woman.

5. A rise in basal body temperature (BBT)

Progesterone causes an increase in body temperature, typically about 0.5-1.0 degrees Fahrenheit. BBT typically increases 1–3 days after ovulation. This rise doesn’t predict ovulation, but it can help confirm that is has occurred, and that you successfully transitioned into your luteal phase.

Common Reasons You May Not Be Ovulating

If you’re not noticing signs of ovulation — or if your cycle feels irregular — here are some common reasons ovulation may not occur:

1. Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (COCPs)

The primary way the pill prevents pregnancy is by suppressing ovulation. This is a popular, and effective form of birth control, however women should be aware that they may be missing out on the benefits of monthly ovulation and natural progesterone production during the luteal phase while they are on the COCP. This is not “anti-pill” by any means, just education so you can make the most informed decision for yourself and your personal values!

2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Many women with PCOS experience anovulatory cycles, either intermittently or consistently. These anovulatory cycles are typically longer than the average 21-35 day cycle length, with some women experiencing a bleed every 45-90 days. Genetic susceptibility, insulin resistance, elevated androgens, and disrupted hormone signaling can all impact ovulation patterns.

3. Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA)

FHA occurs when the brain temporarily down-regulates reproductive hormone signaling due to factors like:

• Undereating or low overall energy availability

• Overexercising

• Significant stress

• Rapid weight loss

When the body perceives low energy or high stress, ovulation is often one of the first processes to pause. This makes sense when you think about it from an evolutionary perspective — when a woman doesn’t have enough food for herself, or the body is undergoing a lot of stress, it may not be the best time to properly support a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, the body often suppresses ovulation (which itself requires energy!), and conserves energy for the woman to get through the stressful situation she is in.

Why This Matters

Whether or not you’re trying to conceive, ovulation is a powerful marker of hormonal health. Regular ovulation supports bone health, cardiovascular health, metabolic stability, brain health and emotional well-being — thanks to our friends estrogen and progesterone.

Understanding your ovulatory patterns can help you tune into your body, notice when something feels off, and feel more confident navigating your cycle.

A Gentle Reminder

Every woman’s cycle looks a little different — and that’s okay. These patterns are generalizations, not strict rules. If something feels off, or you have questions about your cycle, it’s always best to speak with your doctor for personalized guidance.

Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re interested in learning more about your cycle, hormones, or how lifestyle habits influence menstrual health, I offer personalized, educational consultations designed to help you feel more informed and empowered about your health. 

You can find the link to apply for an Individualized Educational Consultation on my website under “services”, or click here. You can also join my waitlist to become a patient for my medical practice opening in 2027 under “services” as well, or click here!