Gang, let’s be honest, Ovulation is something lots of us like to do on occasion. But the truth is, there’s a kind of mystery surrounding these regular-ish egg releases, not least the effect it can have on your physical and, yes, emotional wellbeing. And we’re not just talking about being inexplicably reduced to tears by Amazon adverts. Here are some Ovulation effects that might surprise you…<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re now, or have ever, experienced periods, you’ve probably noticed something slightly off with your appetite each month. Those two or three days where, no matter how hard you try, you\u2019re hungry 24 hours a day. And nothing stops it. Gang, this is the upside-down world of Leptin and its relationship with your eggs.<\/p>\n
Now, Leptin is one of our less well-known hormones, so you\u2019d be forgiven for never having heard of it before today. It does, though, seem to serve a pretty vital function, at least as far as we can tell. And that function is deciding how much you eat. No, it\u2019s not your stomach, or your eyes, as you may previously have been led to believe.<\/p>\n
Apparently, Leptin essentially tells you when you\u2019ve eaten enough. High levels mean a regular, smaller appetite, and low levels can lead to increased appetite. Those levels, however, can fluctuate depending on a number of factors, including sleep quality, general fitness, and weight.<\/p>\n
But there’s a kicker. Leptin isn\u2019t produced by your stomach or some gland you\u2019ve never heard of. This incredibly important hormone actually comes from fat cells. We know, it\u2019s crazy. But it gets crazier. Because this hormone is an active ingredient in our reproductive process. How? It\u2019s a good question, and no one\u2019s really nailed the answer yet, so here\u2019s what we do know: a low leptin level doesn\u2019t just lead to an increased appetite, it also means it takes much longer for you to feel full.<\/p>\n
And when are your Leptin levels decreasing? You\u2019re probably way ahead of us here, but it\u2019s right around the time you release an egg into your fallopian tube, on its way to your uterus. Or Ovulation<\/a>, if you\u2019re into the whole brevity thing.<\/p>\n Yup, one of the stranger Ovulation effects is that three days a month, you\u2019re hormonally programmed to eat more. And that\u2019s exactly what happens, right? Add this to the other hormonal upheaval happening concurrently \u2014 PMS basically starts while your Leptin levels are low \u2014 and you\u2019re hardly to blame for throwing back that carton of Phish Food so fast it looks like you haven\u2019t eaten for a week.<\/p>\n So, why exactly, does Leptin feel the need to decrease in such a dramatic fashion for a few days every month? Current wisdom says the extra food intake is to prepare your body for the enormous energy expenditure that is growing a new human being. Which also explains why your appetite likely decreases a few days later if the egg is unfertilized.<\/p>\n All of which begs the question: how best to combat the results of a monthly lack of Leptin? Well, sleep is, as always, super important. As is a generally healthy lifestyle and diet. And that goes double if you’re carrying a few extra pounds, as your body can become Leptin resistant. Yup, for some reason, more fat cells mean it stops having the same effect somehow \u2014 so those three days of constant hunger can become every day.<\/p>\n And, as we\u2019re often heard to say between these pages, knowing your cycle is crucial<\/a>. It can help you prepare for those low Leptin days \u2014 mostly by padlocking the freezer and candy cupboard in good time. But more importantly, knowledge is power, and just knowing why you\u2019re suddenly hungry all the time can maybe lift one of those weights you\u2019re carrying. And that\u2019s never a bad thing.<\/p>\n That said, eating more can also have some very real and not very fun side effects at that time of the month. Oh yes, we’re talking the bloats.<\/p>\n You might have noticed that you feel bloated before your period arrives. But what about in the middle of your cycle? Water retention, or bloating, can be common around the time of Ovulation. Here’s why that happens and what you can do about it.<\/p>\n Ovulation is a time of big hormonal shifts. Your Estrogen levels have been increasing throughout the Follicular phase<\/a> or first half of your cycle. Then, when the Estrogen level reaches a critical point, it triggers a quick increase in Luteinizing Hormone, AKA LH, which is often called the LH surge<\/a>. The LH surge is what triggers your ovary to release its dominant egg.<\/p>\n Once your egg has started its journey, your LH levels drop quite quickly. Progesterone levels then increase as you move into the Luteal phase<\/a> of your cycle.<\/p>\n These big hormonal changes can cause you to feel amazing all around. High Estrogen increases your energy<\/a>, concentration, and confidence and even makes you more interested in sex.<\/p>\n The downside of one of the most important Ovulation effects, is that it can also cause you to hold on to water and swell slightly. As with almost everything, it’s hormones that tell your kidneys how much water to get rid of and how much to hold onto. The main hormone involved in regulating this is called antidiuretic hormone, or ADH. But because the hormone systems are all linked, Estrogen and the like can also have a say in bloating.<\/p>\n The spike of Estrogen around Ovulation triggers the body to hold on to more water. This bloated feeling usually starts a couple of days before ovulation.<\/p>\n IMPORTANT NOTE: <\/strong>If you’re tracking your cycle as a method of Non-hormonal contraception<\/a> then bloating does not count as a sign of Ovulation. Please don\u2019t rely on the bloats to give you accurate information about when you’re ovulating. It can help you to work out the pattern of your cycles but shouldn\u2019t be relied on to avoid pregnancy.<\/em><\/p>\n Here are some simple things that can help reduce those uncomfortable bloats:<\/p>\n Have you noticed that your cervical mucus, AKA vaginal discharge, changes throughout your cycle? Those changes can be particularly noticeable around Ovulation, so here’s what to expect…<\/p>\n Cervical mucus is fluid produced by your cervix. It forms the bulk of your vaginal discharge, but cervical mucus and vaginal discharge are not the same things. In fact, cervical mucus has lots of functions and some of them are specific to the different stages of your menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n Cervical mucus is affected by our hormones, so changes throughout your cycle as your hormones change. It can also change if you are taking hormonal medication such as hormonal birth control,<\/a> AKA contraception.<\/p>\n Vaginal discharge changes if you have an infection or a disruption to the bacteria in your vagina. If you: Notice that your discharge has an unpleasant smell, experience burning or stinging or you think something isn’t quite right, then please see a doctor or sexual health practitioner to rule out infection.<\/p>\n Throughout your menstrual cycle, your cervical mucus changes in color and volume, as well as consistency and texture. And that’s all down to your hormones – yes, they even control what’s coming out of you when you’re not bleeding. Here’s how it changes:<\/p>\n The volume of your mucus reaches its maximum around egg-release time. It’ll also be thin and slippery, which is why it’s often compared with raw egg white. The function of this Ovulation effect is to make it easy for sperm to travel up through the cervix, into the uterus, and finally, your Fallopian tube to meet your egg. Its pH and texture also help to protect the sperm on their journey.<\/p>\n Following Ovulation, which happens during the Luteal phase<\/a>, you may notice less cervical mucus, or it might get thicker and more sticky.<\/p>\n This mucus is designed to protect the inside of your uterus and any potential new human being that might in there. It’s thicker and stickier on purpose \u2014 the texture makes it harder for the normal bacteria that live in your vagina, or, ahem, more sperm, to get through.<\/p>\n As you’re likely bleeding during your period<\/a>, chances are you won\u2019t notice the cervical mucus. Technically, your body is still producing it, but it’s the blood that’s most obvious. Towards the end of your period, though, you may well see a red\/brown discharge \u2014 that’s cervical mucus mixed with a smaller amount of blood.<\/p>\n Once your period is over, there might be a few days without much discharge. Later in the Follicular phase, though, you might notice your discharge increases in volume and is a lot stickier. It can range from white to cloudy or slightly yellow.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a well-known fact that people who get periods experience fluctuating energy levels. Regardless of which stage of the Menstrual Cycle you find yourself in, your energy levels are super-intertwined with your hormones. For instance, there’s a chance you’d rather eat dirt than exercise during your period. But you may well feel like running a marathon while you\u2019re Ovulating. Here’s how and why Ovulation effects can include raising your energy levels.<\/p>\n In short, yes. Although we’ve been talking mostly about Ovulation, your cycle has four distinct phases. And they are:<\/p>\n Now, as we may have mentioned, Ovulation occurs around the mid-point of your cycle, and it’s the moment your egg is released from your ovaries for potential fertilization. It’s triggered by a surge in Luteinizing Hormone, letting your ovaries know that now is the time. You Estrogen is also peaking, and these Ovulation effects make for a formidably energetic combination.<\/p>\n Which means you’ll be particularly productive around this point in your cycle. Although Ovulation only takes 24 hours, your hormone levels can stay high for about three or four days. And that means you can make the most of these high-energy Ovulation effects for a good while.<\/p>\n A quick note: This is also the point at which you’re most fertile, so, you know, bear that in mind…<\/p>\n That’s an interesting question. Estrogen levels actually start rising during the Follicular phase, so you might feel its energizing effects well before Ovulation. That’s not the case for everyone, though, as the climb can be slow, and low Estrogen can have the reverse effect.<\/p>\n But keeping track of your super-energetic days, when they happen, and how long they last can help you plan and predict when you’re going to be the best you. And that’s where the Hormona app<\/a> comes in \u2014 we can help you track your cycle, your symptoms, good days and bad, as well giving you tips and advice on how to live your best hormone life. What are you waiting for?<\/p>\nEggs love food<\/h2>\n
Ovulation effects: Water retention<\/h2>\n
What is happening during Ovulation?<\/h2>\n
What does Ovulation have to do with water retention?<\/h2>\n
How can I beat the bloats?<\/h2>\n
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Ovulation effects: How your cervical mucus changes<\/h2>\n
What is cervical mucus?<\/h2>\n
Why does it change during my menstrual cycle?<\/h2>\n
How does my cervical mucus change?<\/h2>\n
Around Ovulation<\/h3>\n
After Ovulation<\/h3>\n
The rest of the month<\/h3>\n
Ovulation Effects: Energy<\/h2>\n
Wait, there are different stages of the Menstrual Cycle?<\/h2>\n
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So how, exactly, does Ovulation raise my energy levels?<\/h2>\n
Handy ways to make the most of your raised energy levels:<\/h3>\n
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Do other Menstrual phases raise your energy levels?<\/h2>\n
When are my energy levels lowest during my cycle?<\/h2>\n