One of the biggest signs—if not the main one—that a woman is ovulating is cervical mucus, right? But many women don’t have abundant mucus. So, what do you do when you never see this mucus during your fertile window? How can you tell that you’re ovulating without seeing mucus? Are there other ways to check ovulation without seeing mucus? Let’s find out!
The whole process of the ovulatory cycle is quite complex1. The reproductive organs need hormones to get things started 100% of the time. Sometimes, these same hormones don’t play an ideal role during the fertile period. For this reason, some women also don’t see stretchy mucus when they are fertile. In these cases, using ovulation tests can help, indicating whether ovulation is approaching, happening, or has already ended. You can purchase your Famivita ovulation test here in our online store.
The main hormones responsible for ovulation are:
- FSH
- Estrogen
- LH
The Role of Estrogen in the Body
When FSH comes into play, it stimulates the follicles initially and then passes the baton to estrogen. Estrogen is responsible for the growth of eggs in the follicles and also for providing the right mucus during the fertile window2. Low levels of this hormone could lead to an absence of mucus and make a woman uncertain about her fertile window. The thing is, you might not always see the mucus, but it is certainly present internally.
How to Identify Ovulation Without Seeing Mucus?
But how do I know I’m ovulating even if I don’t see mucus? This is the dilemma for many women! Learning to detect your ovulation, even without mucus, is a matter of recognizing the other signs your body gives you and, of course, calculating your fertile window based on the number of days in your cycle and whether it is regular. In irregular cycles, the most effective way is to notice changes in your intimate area, as well as some symptoms.
Symptoms and Discomforts of the Fertile Window
When the fertile window arrives, aches and discomfort may come with it! Many women feel some abdominal discomfort during this period, not to mention possible mood swings. For some, it seems like a milder PMS.
The fertile period also brings something that’s not common during the rest of the cycle: vaginal moisture. Many women don’t actually see mucus, but they feel moist during the fertile window. The vagina gets wetter and sometimes more swollen when a woman is ovulating.
Another symptom of this period is ovarian pain. Some women can feel a type of twinge or sharp pain. This sensation is related to discomfort that the ovaries may experience as follicles grow. They are similar to mild shocks or pulls.
Increased libido is certainly one of the most important symptoms for a woman to know she’s ovulating, even if she doesn’t see mucus. Sexual desire and the urge to have sex increase significantly, so the woman can know it’s the right time to try for pregnancy.
It’s also important to note that, to detect ovulation without egg-white or stretchy mucus, body temperature is a great ally! For those who aren’t familiar, basal temperature is an excellent option and will certainly help those trying to conceive who can’t identify ovulation without mucus3.
Again, it is recommended to use ovulation tests to pinpoint the right day to have sex. Ideally, start around day 10 for 28-day cycles, or when you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, like pain or vaginal moisture.
How to Increase Vaginal Mucus
To increase fertile vaginal mucus, drinking water is essential. If you usually drink 5 glasses a day, double that amount, as the mucus will surely become more noticeable. A foolproof method for those with little or no mucus is to use a lubricant gel specifically designed for those trying to conceive. It not only mimics stretchy mucus but also helps sperm move towards the egg. Yam tea can also help increase mucus. However, some women don’t do well with teas and, for this reason, yam capsules have become available.
The main recommendation for women with irregular cycles who can’t tell if they’ve ovulated due to lack of mucus is to do hormone tests. Some women may have hormonal imbalances and, as a result, can’t identify their fertile period because it simply doesn’t exist or is being interfered with by other hormones.
It’s worth getting tests done whenever something feels off and never hesitating to seek medical advice. Checking FSH, LH, progesterone, prolactin, and especially estrogen will make it easier to identify your fertile period.
Stay positive and enjoy plenty of intimacy on days when you feel moist and in the mood!
