Signs of Ovulation: How to Tell When You're Ovulating

Guides. Updated October 11, 2026. Calculated with the standard pregnancy dating method used by ACOG and the NHS.

Your body gives several clues around ovulation. None is perfect alone, but together they give a good picture.

Cervical mucus

As ovulation approaches, cervical mucus becomes clear, slippery and stretchy, often compared to raw egg white. This type of mucus helps sperm survive and move.

A positive LH test

Ovulation predictor kits detect the surge of luteinising hormone that comes 24 to 36 hours before ovulation, so a positive result means your most fertile days are now.

Basal body temperature

After ovulation, progesterone raises your resting temperature by a small amount, about 0.2 to 0.5 °C. Charting it every morning confirms that ovulation happened, but only after the fact.

Other signs

Some people notice one-sided pelvic pain (mittelschmerz), breast tenderness, a higher sex drive or light spotting around ovulation.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or midwife about your own pregnancy or fertility.