9 Symptoms of Ovulation You Might Be Missing

Abdominal cramping

Abdominal cramping is perhaps one of the most common symptoms of ovulation. “For some women, there are telltale signs like sharp cramping on one side of the abdomen, but for others, there are no signs at all,” says Jennifer Conti, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist at Stanford University. “This is why getting pregnant or trying not to get pregnant can be challenging using just a calendar, especially if your periods are not like clockwork every month.” The mild cramping usually happens in the lower abdominal area, typically on one side of the pelvis, on the same side from which you release an egg, according to Fahimeh Sasan, DO, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “This pain is called ‘mittelschmerz,’ a German word meaning ‘middle’ and ‘pain’,” Dr. Sasan says, and it occurs mid-month for many women. If you have severe cramps, along with painful periods, talk to your doctor to rule out uterine fibroids or endometriosis. Pay attention to these symptoms of uterine fibroids and these signs of endometriosis.

The post 9 Symptoms of Ovulation You Might Be Missing appeared first on Reader's Digest.