Skip to content
Cart
    • Shop
    • All Products
    • Happy Skin by Lisa Curry
    • Bundles
  • Clinic
  • Articles
  • Recipes
    • Get Started
    • Take the Assessment
    • Get Started
    • Resources
    • Rewards
    • Podcasts
    • Our Groups
    • The Team
    • Support
    • Our Vision
  • My Account
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • RSS
Change your site location
Currently shipping from our AUS site
Australia Stay on the Australian & NZ site Australia Go to the USA & Canada site
Contact My Account Log in
  • Shop expand
    • All Products
      All Products
    • Happy Skin by Lisa Curry
      Happy Skin by Lisa Curry
      Happy Skin by Lisa Curry
    • Bundles
      Bundles
  • Clinic
  • Articles
  • Recipes
  • Get Started expand
    • Take the Assessment
    • Get Started
    • Resources
    • Rewards
    • Podcasts
    • Our Groups
    • The Team
    • Support
    • Our Vision
Tracking Ovulation When You Have PCOS

Tracking Ovulation When You Have PCOS

Many women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) don’t ovulate at all or ovulate infrequently. High levels of androgens and other male hormones, such as testosterone, as well as high insulin levels, can affect the menstrual cycle and prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). When an egg is not released on a regular basis, this is called anovulation. You can still have a menstrual bleed, but they’re often irregular, making it quite difficult to track ovulation.

How to tell when you're ovulating if you have PCOS

Some ovulation testing kits don’t work for women with PCOS. These kits are designed to detect a surge in luteinising hormone (LH), which is already higher in women with PCOS. Results can be inaccurate and often give a false positive.

If you have a menstrual bleed you are more likely to ovulate, but this isn’t guaranteed. Your cycle might just be anovulatory and no egg is released. For this reason, tracking is really important. There are two things that you need to look out for while you’re tracking ovulation during your menstrual cycle – basal body temperature and cervical mucus.

Basal body temperature

Basal body temperature (BBT) is simply your lowest body temperature during a 24-hour cycle. This is usually achieved during rest, so the best time to take your BBT is first thing in the morning upon waking.

BBT usually ranges from 97℉ to 97.5℉ (36.11℃ to 36.38 ℃) prior to ovulation. There may be a slight dip in temperature when you ovulate, followed by an increase to about 97.6℉ to 98.6℉ (36.44℃ to 37℃) after ovulation. This rise in temperature is due to the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum during the luteal phase of your cycle. Temperature normally remains elevated for the next couple of weeks, usually until your next period. If your temperature remains elevated for more than 18 days following ovulation, it can be a sign that you’re pregnant.

To be sure that you have ovulated, you need to have a spike in your temperature and maintain that higher temperature for at least two to three days. For this reason, it’s advisable to use a digital or special basal thermometer to obtain very accurate readings. These gadgets are usually precise enough to track even the slightest temperature changes.

Cervical mucus

The other thing you need to monitor is your cervical mucus. The consistency of cervical mucus around the time of ovulation is similar to that of an egg white, so it’s usually clear and quite stringy. Cervical mucus is also more abundant during ovulation compared to other phases of your cycle. After ovulation, the amount of cervical mucus decreases and becomes thick and sticky. In combination with basal body temperature readings, monitoring your cervical mucus is a good indicator whether you’re ovulating or not.

Other ways to detect ovulation

Cervical position and feel

During the fertile phase of your menstrual cycle, the cervix feels different so you can use the indications to detect ovulation. The cervix is the neck of the uterus which you can feel through the vagina. Insert a clean finger inside – your cervix will be higher and feels soft like your lips around the time of ovulation. It also feels wet and more open. When you’re not ovulating, the cervix is lower and feels harder – more like the tip of your nose.

Blood tests

You can also have blood tests taken. Normally they are taken on or around the 21st day of your cycle. If there’s an increase in your progesterone, this can indicate that you’ve just ovulated. Menstrual cycles in women with PCOS are often so irregular, so getting that 21-day test done can be sort of tricky.

Ovulation pain

Some women experience mild cramping or discomfort at the time of ovulation. Ovulation pain can last from minutes to a few hours and is generally felt on one side of the lower abdomen (depending on which ovary releases an egg). You can tell that you’re most likely ovulating when this mild cramping occurs a couple of weeks prior to the next expected menstrual bleed. However, pain in the lower abdomen may also be caused by ovarian cysts. Cystic ovaries are often due to hormonal imbalances associated with inflammation or insulin resistance. Pain caused by ovarian cysts will be more persistent compared to ovulation pain, which only happens at the time an egg is released.

Emotional changes

Listen to your body. You’ll usually feel more sexual and sensitive around the time of ovulation.

Improving your chances of ovulation

PCOS is among the most common causes of female infertility and fertility drugs are often prescribed to improve the chances of conception. However,  you can increase your chances of ovulating with lifestyle changes and a diet specifically designed to fight inflammation and enhance fertility. Focus on whole foods that are high in fibre, vegetable proteins and healthy fats to create more balance in the body. The Happy Hormones 8-Week Program is a great dietary guide to help you start off.

 

REFERENCES

Monash University. International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. 2018. Melbourne, Australia.
https://www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/mchri/pcos/guideline 

Joham AE, Boyle JA, Ranasinha S, Zoungas S, Teede HJ. Contraception use and pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Human Reproduction (Oxford, England). 2014 Apr;29(4):802–8.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24549213/

Goodman et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Disease State Clinical Review: guide to the best practises in the evaluation and treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – part 1. Endocrine Practice. 2015 Nov;21(11):1291–300.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26509855/

 

Rachel Enright

Rachel has 28 years experience as a holistic lifestyle coach. She completed her B.H.Sc. in Nutritional Medicine and has been a whole foods vegetarian chef for close to 30 years, working in the USA, Central America, Mexico, and Thailand. Rachel loves healing through a whole foods diet, has specialised in working with kids with spectrum disorders, and women's health.

Conditions fertility happy greens happy hormones ovulation pcos Women's Health
Featured Articles
  • The Optimal Skin Guide
    The Optimal Skin Guide
  • What is the Lymphatic System?
    What is the Lymphatic System?
  • What to Expect in an HHY Consultation
    What to Expect in an HHY Consultation
  • What happens when you take Happy Hormones?
    What happens when you take Happy Hormones?
  • How to Strengthen your Immunity Naturally
    How to Strengthen your Immunity Naturally
  • The Happy Hormones Cleansing Phase
    The Happy Hormones Cleansing Phase
Recent Articles
  • Watermelon Collagen Spritzer
  • 5 Skin Care Routine Steps to Aid Menopause Symptoms
  • Why You Need Collagen in Menopause
  • What are Collagen Peptides?
  • How Stress Affects Collagen Production
  • What Makes Happy Collagen So Special?
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Jam
  • Asparagus Salmon Crust-Free Quiche
  • Lemon-Pepper Snow Peas
  • Mint Choco Chip HW Smoothie
  • What is Happy Collagen?
  • Mood Swings and Anxiety
  • Are You Practicing Mindlessness or Mindfulness at Work?
  • Hormones & Your Cholesterol
  • Why am I always tired?
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Related Articles

Managing PCOS Naturally
Top 10 Herbs & Supplements for Endometriosis
Yoga for Fertility

Invalid password
Enter

Join our Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest news, updates & special offers.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Happy Shop
  • Happy Skin by Lisa Curry™
  • Happy Hormones
  • Happy Calm
  • Happy Collagen
  • Happy Liver
  • Happy Turmeric
  • Happy Greens
  • Happy Bladder
Happy You
  • Happy Weight
  • Happy Reset
  • Menopause
  • Bladder Bundle
  • Assessment
Happy Us
  • Contact
  • Clinic
  • Our Groups
  • Reviews
  • Shipping & Delivery
Happy Info
  • Podcasts
  • Resources
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Recipes
  • Affiliates

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional.

© 2022 Happy Healthy You Design by Stead Lane
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Disclaimer
  • Refunds
  • Referral Terms
★ Reviews

Our Customer Reviews

10671 reviews
Write a review
94%
(10036)
3%
(336)
1%
(83)
1%
(55)
2%
(161)
J
Happy Healthy You
Jodie L. (Brisbane, AU)
Amazing

I have been taking HH for over a year and each time i think I can go without them I notice such a decrease in energy and mood. They have made a significant difference to my life and mood. I am a shift worker and I highly recommend for any women peri menopausal and low energy levels.

User picture
S
Happy Healthy You
Sheena H.H. (Sydney, AU)
I wish I'd tried HH sooner.

100 Happy Hormone tablets later and WHAT a difference. I cant imagine not taking this little supplement of sanity every day. If you are tossing up needs v's wants .... HH are a need, do this for yourself. I wish I had've ordered sooner.

User picture
S
Happy Healthy You
Suzanne F.F. (Millendon, AU)
Happy Hormones is my life saver

I started going through peri menopause and am having a period every 3-5 months. My biggest symptom beside insomnia is hot flushes. I was having one every 10 minutes and I became a very horrible person as I just couldn't stand them. Enter Happy Hormones, I was having 2 morning and night and it wasn't doing anything and then someone on the FB page suggested 3 morning and night and for that I am forever grateful as now I am not grumpy all the time and the hot flushes are like maybe 5 a day now. I am sure my husband and kids thanks you more :)

User picture
A
Happy Healthy You
Angela B. (Perth, AU)
Mother's Little Helper

My great friend Lori Woodhouse recommended I take Happy Hormones almost four years ago. It is the only supplement I have really noticed a significant improvement in my well being. I haven't gone without it since! I went from struggling to cope with being a working mum to enjoying parenting, and being able to balance life. I returned to uni whilst still working, finished my degree, and accepted a new job which is interesting, family friendly and challenging. I don't believe I could have managed all that in the past 4 years without my daily dose of Happy Hormones, and of course the support of my wonderful friend Lori Woodhouse. Lori also landed her dream job in that time, which combines her skills as a Registered Nurse with a passion for health at Happy Healthy You! This is us at my 50th Birthday Lunch just four weeks ago!

User picture
D
Happy Healthy You
Denise B. (Melbourne, AU)
Thank goodness for your products

I use both Happy hormones and happy liver, although I am 68 I still get hot flushes, my recent blood test my liver is great
And I am very happy to say my hot flushes are gone Tks to your wonderful products, they travel all over Australia with me and I have spread the word about them. Tks sooooo much

User picture
123
Powered by Judge.me