We’re often taught that the middle of the menstrual cycle, during ovulation, is the most “feel good” point of the month for those of us with ovaries. The expectation is that we will have more energy, a boosted sex drive, and a rosy glow.
The underdiscussed reality is that for some people, ovulation is accompanied by dips in mood, fatigue, anxiety and physical discomfort. If this is something you’ve experienced, you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. In fact, it’s a lot more common than you might think.
Ovulation occurs around the 14th day of a 28-day cycle, when estrogen peaks and the LH (luteinizing hormone) triggers ovulation. At this point in time, the ovary releases an egg, which makes its way down the fallopian tube with the intention of being fertilized by sperm. An egg lasts about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. If it goes unfertilized, the body then reabsorbs it.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with ovulation are:
- Tenderness in the breasts
- Bloating
- Minor pain in the abdomen or pelvis
- Light bleeding or spotting
- Increased sex drive
- Appetite changes
But these symptoms vary a lot from person to person, as discussed In an article for Stylist on the so-called “Ovulation Blues”. In this article, Dr. Georgina Leslie, a women’s hormone specialist, reaffirms that hormones fluctuate not only within our bodies, but from person to person. Hormones cause a lot of highs and lows, and while it’s common to feel more energized during ovulation, this point in the cycle can also bring about depression, anxiety, irritability, and/or feeling overwhelmed. While some people feel a boost, others may feel depleted.
As cited in the Stylist article, women’s health company Hormona recently did an analysis of 7,500 of its app’s users and found that these more “unusual” ovulation symptoms, like feeling less attractive or happy, are actually reasonably common.
“The data found that in addition to the 10% who experience depression and anxiety while ovulating, 16% experience fatigue. A further 11% reported headaches, which can be linked to oestrogen-dependent migraines, while 10% of users who experienced night sweats had them during ovulation and 20% suffered from constipation during this time too,” the article says.
Some other ovulation impacts that may be surprising include shifts in body temperature, heightened senses, increased creativity, and vocal changes. If you have asthma, you may actually be able to breathe more easily during ovulation.
The takeaway is that our bodies are incredible, surprising and confusing in equal amounts. You should always talk to a healthcare professional about anything related to your cycle that is affecting your life (like depression or pain), as these may be symptoms of serious conditions like PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). But it’s important to understand that if ovulation looks different for you than other people, that can be healthy and okay too.
Body literacy is empowering, and having a solid grasp on the way your cycle typically unfolds can help with conception, if that is something you are pursuing. In addition to consulting a doctor, tracking your ovulation symptoms in a cycle journal and using Ovry’s ovulation test strips can help you get a better understanding of your body in all its uniqueness, whether you are looking to conceive or not.