How Do You Know If Ovulation Has Already Started?

What Exactly Is Ovulation?

Ovulation is that magical moment in your cycle when your ovary releases an egg. This egg then starts its journey down the fallopian tube, waiting (maybe impatiently?) for sperm. It usually happens once per month, around day 14 in a 28-day cycle, but let’s be honest—everyone's body does its own thing.

Some people feel it. Some don’t. Some use apps, others rely on body signals. So… how can you actually tell if ovulation has started?

Physical Signs That Ovulation Has Begun

Cervical Mucus Changes (Yes, You Gotta Check Down There)

One of the biggest giveaways is your cervical mucus. Around ovulation, it gets:

• Stretchy

• Clear

• Egg-white-like

If you can stretch it between two fingers and it doesn’t break easily? That’s classic fertile mucus. It basically helps sperm swim faster and live longer. Nature is wild.

Before ovulation, mucus is usually creamy or sticky. Once you notice the slick kind, there's a good chance ovulation is happening or just about to.

Mild Pelvic Pain aka “Mittelschmerz”

Nope, that’s not a made-up word. It’s German and literally means “middle pain.”

Some folks feel a sharp or dull cramp on one side of the lower abdomen. It usually lasts a few hours, maybe a day. That’s your ovary doing its thing—releasing an egg.

It's not dangerous, but it’s definitely noticeable for some. I once mistook it for a gas cramp. Turns out? Ovulation day.

Increase in Libido (Yep, It’s a Thing)

Let’s be real. Your body sometimes knows before your brain does. Around ovulation, many people feel:

• More flirty

• More “in the mood”

• Just... more alive?

Blame it on the hormone estrogen peaking. Your body’s basically trying to help reproduction without saying it out loud.

Tracking Tools to Confirm Ovulation Has Started

Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)

These little strips test your LH surge—the hormone that spikes 24–36 hours before ovulation. If you test and it’s positive, you’re either ovulating now or about to.

BUT—and this is key—a positive doesn’t mean the egg has already dropped, just that it likely will soon. Still helpful if you're timing things.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

Okay, this one's retro but reliable. You take your temperature first thing in the morning every day, before getting out of bed. Right after ovulation, your body temp slightly rises (like 0.5°F or 0.3°C).
Problem? You only know ovulation happened after the fact. So it’s more useful for confirming patterns over time, not predicting live.

Ovulation Timing: You Might Be Surprised

Cycles Aren’t Always "Textbook"

Not everyone ovulates on day 14. Some ovulate early (day 10), others late (day 20 or beyond). Stress, illness, travel, lack of sleep... they can all shift things.

I once ovulated on day 25 during a super stressful work month. Thought my app was broken. Nope—just my body reacting to life.

If You're Using an App... double-check

Cycle apps are estimates, not crystal balls. They often assume a 28-day cycle with ovulation at day 14. Cool if that’s your reality. But for many people, ovulation moves around. Use body signs + tools if you're really trying to catch it.

Can You Miss Ovulation Without Noticing?

Absolutely. Some people don’t feel cramps, don’t see mucus changes, and don’t get any hint. That doesn’t mean ovulation didn’t happen—it just wasn’t loud about it.

If you're trying to conceive and feel like you're always missing the window, talk to a doctor or try combining signs + kits + tracking. After a few cycles, you might start spotting your own unique pattern.

Final Thoughts: Listen to Your Body, Not Just the Calendar

So, how do you know if ovulation has already started?
Check your mucus, tune into your body, maybe feel a cramp or two. Use an OPK if you want a quick answer. Track your temp for the longer game.

But most importantly? Don’t stress it too hard. The body isn’t a machine, and sometimes things shift around for reasons you’ll never fully explain.

Just pay attention. Your body’s always trying to tell you something—you just gotta learn its language.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.