Ovulation!!

[luvlymum]

Just wondered if anyone has any symptoms when they're ovulating, I came off the pill about 3 weeks ago and today I have had pains in my lower stomach and a horrible sticky discharge theres quite a lot of it. Can anyone help out?

[picnikel]

I get pelvic pain when I ovulate.

[spod]

Message deleted

[picnikel]

PMSL at "goggling" mucus!!! I can't say I scrutinise mine that much!!

[spod]

Message deleted

[biglips]

same as picnikel too - ouch!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

I get same as spod.

[luvlymum]

Thanks ladies I think it must be ovulation then, just a bit worrying with all that yucky discharge.

[gingernut]

The pain actually has a name, it's called mittelschmerz (something I learned from a previous thread on this subject). The mucous is normal too...often called egg-white mucous cos it's transparent and stretchy. This kind of mucous is necessary for the sperm to swim through successfully, apparently.

[notasheep]

luvlymum-that yucky discharge is very important as we dont use contraception!

[LeahE]

You might like to look at a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. For any woman who's not entirely confident about this kind of thing it's invaluable.

As pp have said, it's not a 'discharge' - it's perfectly normal cervical mucus (or call it cervical fluid if it sounds nicer ) - having more of it and that slightly gloopy egg-white consistency is triggered by the oestrogen surge that you get shortly before you ovulate (you can get the oestrogen surge without ovulating, so it's not a foolproof guide, but it's a good indication) so that you've got the optimum environment for sperm when you do ovulate. You may also find you get egg-white mucus for a day or so in the middle of your luteal phase as there's a seccond, smaller, oestrogen surge then.

Try ttc for a while and you'll be surprised how obsessed you can get by the stuff ...

[LeahE]

Also grr that they don't teach this sort of stuff at school. There's a cursory overview of periods etc. but otherwise intelligent and well-educated women get well into adulthood with very little idea of how their cycles actually work and what's normal (and I include myself in that -- I did A-level biology but I was amazingly ignorant about basic human female physiology until a few years ago). luvlymum (and thousands like her) should not have to be worrying about 'yucky discharge'; girls should be TOLD this stuff.

[Leah puts Mr Rant away now...]

[peachygirl]

I post this site a lot but if you press the link and go to indicators it will give you pictures and information about your CM during your cycle
here

[Twiglett]

horrible sticky discharge .. that's egg white .. the sign of fertility .. its fabulous ... its when the cervical fluid changes consistency to help the sperm reach their goal so yes it iks a good sign you are around ovulation

please read Toni Weschler's How to take charge of your fertility .. great book