The main symptoms of the fertile period are the changes that occur in the vaginal mucus, which is more abundant and transparent ovulation, similar to an egg white. Other common signs and symptoms during the fertile period include:
- Pelvic or abdominal pain;
- Small increase in body temperature;
- Distension of the abdomen;
- Acne;
- Bleeding.
Ovulation is also noticed in some women through symptoms more subjective, such as:
- Feeling of weight in the breasts;
- Swollen or sore breasts;
- Humor variations;
- Increased libido and appetite;
- Weight gain;
- Migraine;
- Nausea.
However, as stated at the beginning, the most obvious symptom of the fertile period is the cervical mucus which exits through the vagina. The greater the stimulation of the hormone estrogen, the more abundant, aqueous and transparent the mucus becomes.
If the woman is ovulating, the mucus has the property of forming a thread when distended between two-finger digital pulps, such as the thumb and forefinger, for example. At the peak of the fertile period, this thread can stretch 10 cm of lenght.
After ovulation, the progesterone again modifies the vaginal secretion, which becomes scarce, thick, opaque, lumpy and loses the ability to form the thread when stretched between two fingers.
In this way, the woman can identify her fertile period in a more palpable way. To do this, she should train in checking her cervical mucus every day by inserting 2 fingers into the vagina to obtain a sample of the secretion.
THE vaginal secretion tends to progressively wetter until ovulation and after that it gets drier. Thus, if the woman has intercourse only in the period when the mucus is drier, it means that she is not in the fertile time and could avoid pregnancy.
However, this is not considered a safe method of contraception, as it depends on a lot of discipline and training on the part of the woman. For further information on how to identify your fertile period and avoid pregnancy, consult your family doctor or gynecologist.
Learn more at:
Is it normal to have bleeding during the fertile period?
Is it normal to feel nauseous and painful during the fertile time?
Can the fertile period change from month to month?
