How To Live In Sync With Your Menstrual Cycle: Ovulation
This series was created to help you tune in and harness the power of your menstrual cycle. Learn more: How To Live in Sync With Your Menstrual Cycle: Intro
The 3rd phase is ovulation. The peak moment of a woman’s cycle. In nature, it aligns with summer (yearly cycle), the full moon (monthly cycle), and mid-day sun (daily cycle).
Typically lasts between 2-3 days.
What's happening physically?
Luteinizing Hormone surges causing the dominant follicle to burst and release its egg into the fallopian tube. The egg survives for a 12-24 hour window. Studies show that you are perceived as more attractive during this phase. Your 5 senses may become heightened.
Some women can feel when they’re ovulating and describe the sensation as a sudden twinge or pop in the lower abdomen, just inside the hip bone. Either on the right or left side, depending on which ovary is releasing an egg. However, ovulation pain that is severe or debilitating is not considered normal and should be discussed with a specialist.
Less than 10% of women experience light spotting during ovulation.
How it feels energetically & emotionally
The ovulatory phase is ripe and juicy. Things feel easier, you want to have fun and be flirty. Libido is high and you feel sexy.
You’re confident, it’s easy to verbalize your thoughts and feelings. You’re more receptive to new ideas.
How to tune in & flow with the phase
You’re self assured and assertive, so schedule networking, speaking events, and job interviews.
Be social. Go out. Make connections and meet new people.
Move your body with high impact and high energy. Exert yourself. Group classes are great during this phase.
How To Nourish And "Feed" This Phase
Eat light and easily digestible foods, such as fruit, veggies, and leafy greens. Sulfur-rich vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower will support the liver in detoxifying excess hormones during this time.
If trying to conceive:
Alkalizing foods support the survival of sperm during this phase.
Chart your fertility signs
Chance of conceiving: high. Try to achieve or avoid pregnancy accordingly.
Cervical mucous: Is most abundant and noticeable during this phase. It becomes very slippery and lubricative. It’s often clear and stretchy with a raw “egg white” consistency. The vagina is usually acidic, but this cervical mucous is alkalizing to aid sperm survival and motility and helps sperm swim up through the cervix.
Cervical positioning: Becomes soft, raises higher, and opens to allow sperm to enter.
Basal body temp: body temperature rises about 0.5 degrees.
