Fertility is one of the most important topics for many, especially for those who are planning to get pregnant. As research has shown, 11% of women who are of childbearing age suffer from infertility, which may be described as the lack of ability to conceive under one year of feverish, unprotected intercourse. Notably, a survey conducted by Pew Research Center proved that 33% of the population has tried fertility treatments or otherwise has known someone who has.
Even if it is always advised to consult your physician, there are sure physical signs that can help you know your fertility status.
Ten Signs That May Indicate You Are In Your Fertile Window
Positive Result from Your Ovulation Predictor Kit
The most certain indication of fertility is when a woman gets a ‘positive’ on an ovulation predictor kit, or OPK, as it is often referred to. These kits operate under the premise that they will test the level of secretion in your urine, in this case luteinizing hormone (LH). LH rises about 24 to 36 hours prior to ovulation, which is the release of the egg from the ovary.
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Changes in Cervical Mucus
Cerebral mucus varies with your menstrual cycle, though this varies with different women. While in most of this cycle, cervical discharge is likely to be thick, white, or perhaps even absent.
Increased Sex Drive
Your sexual desire rises to another level at the time of ovulation. Taking the case of estrogen and testosterone levels, both of these hormones see an upsurge just before ovulation, and this is why sexual desire is often observed to be at its peak.
Heightened sense of smell
Estrogen level increases as you approach the ovulation period; this changes your sensitivity to smells, especially those that are associated with pheromones or masculinity. It has been evidenced that women are more sensitive to male-produced, for instance, androsterone during the fertility period.
Lower Abdominal Pain
Many women feel a mild discomfort in the lower abdomen in the mid-cycle; this is known as mittelschmerz, meaning ‘middle pain’ in German. This pain that may range from a few minutes to a few hours is usually experienced at the time when the ovary releases an egg.
Changes in Cervical Position
In your fertile window, the cervix rises, becomes softer, and produces more secretion to ease the entrance of sperm into the uterus. Although the checking of your cervical position may sound like something that only a doctor can do, it is actually possible to learn how to check it by yourself.
Breast Tenderness
Breast tenderness is an additional symptom indicating that you are within your fertile window clutching your boobs. This is due to a hike in the levels of the hormone progesterone after the process of ovulation.
Mid-Cycle Spotting
One should not panic if you only see a little of spotting halfway through your cycle. This can actually be a symptom of ovulation, which just took place. After the release of the egg, there is some fluctuation in the estrogen levels; specifically, it decreases slightly then rises again in the luteal phase.
Basal Body Temperature Rise
Another way to track and identify the signs of ovulation is through a rise of a couple of tenths of a degree in BBT. It is the lowest temperature that the human body can have, and this is best recorded in the morning. After the ovulation period, the hormone progesterone helps your BBT to increase by about 0.5°F to 1°F.
Bloating and Water Retention
It is also common for some women to get swollen legs and feet during the ovulation period because of hormonal changes. Having these symptoms feels unpleasant, but the silver lining is that they are good markers that tell you that you are likely to ovulate.
Conclusion
The ability to identify physical signs of fertility is very critical for any couple who wants to get pregnant. Dr. Ram Prakash is a widely known fertility specialist and is committed to improving reproductive science. Being the best embryologist doctor in Noida he is specialized in advanced methods of treatment in IVF, teaching the future embryologists as well as providing the individual treatment for the patients.
FAQs
What are the symptoms when you are most fertile?
The most prolific signs are the cervical mucus similar to those of egg whites, the minutest rise in the basal body temperature, the mild discomfort in the pelvic region or towards the time of ovulation, the ardour in sexual activity, and stiffness in the breast.
How do you feel when your fertility is high?
When fertility is high, you may have a feeling of being sexually attracted, sexual desire, slight pelvic pain, bitchiness, breast swelling, and clear and slippery cervical mucus.