Why you could be feeling AMAZING during ovulation.
The time around ovulation is sometimes termed the “extroverted cycle days”, associated with feeling good, looking good and being a social butterfly. In this blog post, we wanted to discuss the biology behind why this happens and what things are best to be doing around the time of your ovulation.
What is ovulation?
Let’s take it back a step, what is ovulation? Ovulation refers to an event that takes place typically around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle. During this, a mature egg is released from the ovary and starts making its journey down the fallopian tube, in the hope of being fertilised by sperm. The uterus is all prepared for this to happen, with a thick uterine lining ready for the fertilised egg to be implanted into. If this fertilisation (pregnancy) does not occur, the uterine lining is shed during menstruation, along with the unfertilised, disintegrated egg.
What causes ovulation?
So, ovulation, as well as all the events and phases of the menstrual cycle, is controlled by hormones. More precise, the changing levels of the four key sex hormones: - Estrogen (estradiol E2), Progesterone (progesterone P4), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The levels of these hormones change throughout the menstrual cycle, which influences certain events to take place. One of these events is ovulation.
The hormonal control of ovulation
Ovulation is more than just an event in the middle of the menstrual cycle, which is why some refer to there being an “ovulatory cycle”. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (the first half), FSH levels increase leading to the recruitment and development of ovarian follicles. These follicles then produce estradiol (a form of estrogen), where levels rise throughout the follicular phase. The increasing estradiol levels cause the FSH levels to decrease. One of the ovarian follicles becomes dominant, and the estradiol levels reach a point at which they cause a surge in LH. This LH surge is something that can be detected with an LH test, and used to predict ovulation timing). This sharp rise in LH causes progesterone levels to rise, with progesterone then acting to maintain the LH peak. The dominant, luteinized follicle then ruptures, causing the egg to be released during ovulation. Following this, the LH and progesterone levels then promote the formation of the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone and estrogens. If fertilisation does not take place, the corpus luteum starts to slowly regress, reducing concentrations of estradiol and progesterone. This is during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Once these levels reach a certain low point, menstruation begins marking the start of a new menstrual cycle (and ovulatory cycle).
What does ovulation mean?
Ovulation marks the release of an egg, which can be fertilised resulting in pregnancy. This is one of the key aspects of ovulation – reproduction. Ovulation not only allows for pregnancy to take place but it also can be used to help plan a pregnancy. Around the time of ovulation, there is an increased chance of becoming pregnant – the fertile window (6 days leading up to ovulation). The LH surge, as well as some other markers, can be measured and observed and used to track when ovulation may be taking place. When tracked effectively, this can help to either avoid pregnancy or help get pregnant through planning sexual activity and contraceptive use during the fertile window of each menstrual cycle.
Besides reproduction, however, ovulation is considered a sign of health (1). At the beginning of a woman’s* reproductive years, there are roughly 500,000 follicles within the ovaries, containing oocytes. Only around 500 of these will mature and be released during ovulation, in most circumstances.
Ovulation begins with menarche, during puberty. The ovulatory cycle then continues throughout the reproductive years until menopause, with the only exceptions being pregnancy and breastfeeding periods. Normal ovulatory activity during these reproductive years is seen as a sign of health because endocrine and gonadal function has to be sufficient in order for normal ovulation to take place, meaning a regular ovulatory cycle. The initial indication of an underlying health issue in women often manifests as irregularities in ovulation, followed by changes in menstrual cycles or amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). If pregnancy, lactation, or menopause are not the causes, consistent irregularities in the ovulatory cycle can be linked to various factors such as lifestyle, stress, and disorders related to endocrine, gynaecological, autoimmune, nutritional, genetic, and iatrogenic issues (2). It's noteworthy that while regular menstrual cycles are typically viewed as indicative of ovulation, they can also occur without ovulation (3). Therefore, it's not solely the presence of regular menstruation but rather the consistency of ovulation that aids in monitoring women's health.
What are the signs of ovulation?
As mentioned above, some physical signs of ovulation can be observed, which can be used to track roughly when ovulation may take place and the ovulation/fertile window.
Examples of these are:
Changes in vaginal discharge: Vaginal mucus (also known as cervical mucus) appears clear and more slimy than usual – often compared to egg-white.
Increase in basal body temperature (BBT): Resting body temperature increases very slightly.
Changes in the cervix: The cervix will be higher and feel softer.
Increased levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) just before ovulation – the LH surge.
There can also be some “negative” signs and symptoms of ovulation, such as:
Breast soreness/tenderness
Abdominal or pelvic pain on one side
Bloating
Light menstrual-like bleeding/spotting
Nausea
It is key to remember that ovulation can look different for each person, and even between different menstrual/ovulatory cycles. So, it’s always good to figure out what is “normal” for you and seek medical professional advice when anything is causing you concern or disrupting everyday life.
Despite the “negative” symptoms of ovulation, most people report feeling amazing around this time!
Why you could be feeling AMAZING during ovulation?
Around the time of ovulation, it is not uncommon for people to report feeling great in themselves, and looking great too! Biologically, this makes sense. Around the time of ovulation, the chance of getting pregnant is higher, so reproductively it is a good time to attract a mate and have sex – which is why libido and sexual desire may also go up [Check this article out to read more about this]. Many women also report feeling like they have higher energy, feel happier and more confident, more sociable, and even have glowing skin!
There are numerous scientific studies that have looked into this too, showing that there are indeed several changes to a woman’s mood, appearance and more around the time of ovulation that have been observed.
Some examples include:
Appearing more attractive to the opposite sex during the fertile-phase
Changes in vocal pitch around ovulation
And all this comes down to the hormone levels. During ovulation, estrogen levels are high, which is the reason for all of the feel-good vibes at this time. Estrogen affects the uptake of serotonin, which is a mood-regulating neurotransmitter (4). Higher estrogen levels, therefore mean more serotonin and better moods! Estrogen levels change skin appearance; studies have shown that this hormone affects skin hydration, elasticity, collagen levels and wound healing (5).
Based on the hormone levels, particularly high estrogen levels, around the time of ovulation, it is not surprising that most women feel good. Of course, this may not be the case for everyone, but if you generally notice that you are in a better mood, have more energy and want to go out more during this time, then you could consider taking this into account when making plans.
Around the time of ovulation, it may be a good time to:
Make plans with friends
Schedule a date
Take part in a sports event
Get creative
Conclusion
To conclude, understanding ovulation and its effects on our bodies can offer valuable insights into our overall well-being. As we've explored, ovulation is not just a biological event but a complex interplay of hormones that influence our mood, energy levels, and physical appearance. Embracing the changes that occur during ovulation, from feeling more confident and sociable to experiencing a natural boost in energy, allows us to align our activities with our body's natural rhythms. By recognising the signs of ovulation and embracing the positive changes it brings, we can make the most of this fertile phase in our menstrual cycle. So, whether it's making plans with friends, scheduling a date, or simply indulging in creative pursuits, let's celebrate the eggstatic energy of ovulation and embrace the vibrant season of fertility and vitality it brings.
*[DISCLAIMER: The use of the terms “women/woman” throughout this article refers to those who have a uterus, and not necessarily those who identify as a woman].
References:
Does anovulation exist in eumenorrheic women? - ScienceDirect
Estrogen and Skin | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (springer.com)
Further Reading:
What does ovulation feel like? 9 ovulation symptoms and signs (flo.health)
What Is Ovulation? Cycle Timeline, Pain, and Other Symptoms (healthline.com)
