This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

This Is What Happens To Your Body During Ovulation

Mother Nature is a clever woman.
Oh hey, hormones.
Getty Images
Oh hey, hormones.

The changes that occur in a woman's body every month are pretty amazing.

While it may seem like they merely play out in the form of painful cramps and difficult skin, there's a bunch of other interesting things going down.

"Some women are aware of these changes but overall, most women are unaware of what actually happens to their body during this time," Dr Deirdre Bentley at Jean Hailes for Women's Health told The Huffington Post Australia.

More often than not, the ones who are aware are those who are using the ovulation method to try and fall pregnant. However, being in tune with this process may just answer some burning questions.

Like, for instance, why does my body temperature rise just before my period? And, why am I the queen of Bloat Town even before my period has arrived?!

Ahead, Bentley lets us in on the facts.

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1. It starts in the brain

"Ovulation is controlled by a little gland in the brain called the hypothalamus," Bentley explains.

Basically, it releases hormones which actually talk to the ovaries.

"The first hormone it releases comes after you've had your last period, to stimulate the follicle to allow for an egg to be formed."

"Then around mid-cycle, another hormone is released that enables the release of a microscopic egg so that the fallopian tubes can catch it," Bentley said.

2. Next, discharge!

The most noticeable symptom during this time is a change in your vaginal discharge.

"The discharge is your cervical mucus -- which becomes quite thin and stretchy -- a bit like egg white," Bentley said.

Bentley explains many women use this as an indicator that lets them know when they are fertile.

'Increased libido, got me like...'
Getty Images/Westend61
'Increased libido, got me like...'

3. Libido increases

Yep, you read that right. Mother Nature is a clever soul -- and because this is a prime time for baby-making, your body does its best to let you know!

"Most of us will find our libido increases dramatically for around 24 hours, and this is a result of the surge in hormones that occurs during ovulation," Bentley said.

4. You get hot

"Your basal temperature goes up around half a degree celsius and it stays up for the rest of the cycle until you have your period," Bentley said.

5. Cramping and spotting

Some women report abdominal pain during this time.

This is caused by irritation in the abdominal lining as a result of the egg being released.

"Some spotting may also occur as a result of a ruptured follicle -- when the egg is mature, it bursts from the follicle," Bentley said.

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