Some women track their menstrual cycles to predict ovulation — when an ovary releases an egg — either to try to get pregnant or to avoid pregnancy. On average, ovulation occurs on day 14 of a 28-day cycle. But during perimenopause, irregular cycles can make it harder to predict when you’ll ovulate or get your period.

Symptoms of ovulation are generally the same before and during perimenopause. However, hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause can mimic some signs of ovulation. This article discusses 11 symptoms of ovulation and how perimenopause may affect them.

1. Breast Tenderness

Sore breasts or nipples can be a sign of ovulation. This discomfort usually improves after your period but may last longer during perimenopause. Some women notice more breast tenderness and pain than before perimenopause.

2. Bloating

Bloating can happen at different times in the menstrual cycle, but it’s often linked to ovulation. Estrogen may increase fluid in the body, which can lead to bloating.

You may notice your belly seems larger than usual, or you may feel uncomfortably full despite not overeating. Stomach pain and gas can also occur alongside bloating.

3. Changes in Cervical Mucus

When you’re not ovulating, the cervix naturally produces thick mucus that helps keep sperm and bacteria from entering the uterus. When estrogen levels rise, cervical mucus becomes thin and slippery to help sperm travel to the egg.

You may notice cervical mucus in your underwear. You can also check it by wiping with toilet paper or inserting a clean finger into the vagina. Around ovulation, cervical mucus often has a stretchy consistency, similar to egg white.

4. Slight Increase in Basal Body Temperature

Your basal body temperature rises about 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit immediately after ovulation and stays elevated for the rest of your cycle. To get an accurate reading, take your temperature as soon as you wake up in the morning, before getting out of bed.

5. Abdominal Cramping or a Backache

More than 40 percent of women may experience pain around ovulation, but it may not happen with every cycle. The intensity of ovulation pain (sometimes called mittelschmerz) varies from person to person.

Typically, the pain lasts three to 12 hours and may feel like a backache or abdominal cramp, often on one side of the body. Researchers believe this discomfort may be caused by hormones that trigger small contractions near the ovaries. It may also occur when the egg is released from the follicle.

6. Spotting

A bit of pink blood in your underwear or on toilet paper between periods could mean you’ve already ovulated. This can happen when the follicle releases the egg. Health experts also say that hormone changes after ovulation can cause a small amount of the uterine lining to shed. About 5 percent of women experience ovulation spotting.

Light bleeding can also happen after sex, especially if you have vaginal dryness from lower estrogen levels. Perimenopause can cause spotting between periods, but you should talk with a healthcare professional if it happens often, is heavy, or comes with pain.

7. Changes in Libido

Estrogen levels peak about 24 hours before ovulation, and this hormone surge may increase sex drive. If you feel more interested in sex than usual, you may be ovulating.

8. Changes in Cervix Position

During ovulation, the cervix opens slightly, softens, and moves higher. Some women check these changes by inserting a clean finger into the vagina. A soft cervix feels like your lips, while a firm cervix feels like the tip of your nose.

9. Mood Swings

When hormone levels change, your moods can also change. Mood swings are common in perimenopause, but they can also be a sign of ovulation.

High estrogen levels are linked to confidence, positivity, energy, and general happiness. Estrogen peaks during ovulation, and these feelings may peak, too. After the egg is released, estrogen drops rapidly. You may feel sad, irritable, more sensitive, or less energized after ovulation.

10. Appetite Changes

Not feeling as hungry? You may be ovulating — or about to. A 2024 online study found that women reported eating less around ovulation. Estrogen may once again play a role, as it can act like an appetite suppressant. Hormonal shifts may also affect how the body uses insulin to control blood sugar and hunger, which can lead to stronger cravings right after ovulation.

11. More Sensitive Sense of Smell

Senses, especially smell, may heighten during ovulation. In a small study, researchers found that ovulating women may process smells faster and be more sensitive to them. Women may also describe smells differently depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle.

Can I Get Pregnant During Perimenopause?

Yes. Typically, you’ll continue to ovulate as long as you menstruate, so it’s still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause. However, irregular cycles can make it harder to predict ovulation. Some women may still ovulate even when their periods are irregular.

If you have trouble tracking ovulation symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional about other options, such as home ovulation tests. If you’re trying to conceive, ask about medications that can help trigger ovulation.

If your goal is to avoid pregnancy, keep in mind that sperm can live in the reproductive system for up to five days. This means you can still get pregnant even if ovulation happens several days after sex. Pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, even if your period only comes every few months.

Because it’s tough to predict when you’ll ovulate, consider using a backup form of birth control. A healthcare professional can help you select a method that works for you.

When to Talk With a Doctor

Sometimes ovulation symptoms overlap with signs of certain health conditions. Talk with a healthcare professional if you notice any of the following:

• Breast pain that lasts more than two weeks, is in just one area, gets worse over time, or interferes with sleep and daily life
• Bloating that doesn’t go away or is accompanied by severe stomach pain, weight loss, diarrhea, or chest discomfort
• Vaginal discharge that is an unusual color (like yellow or green) or very thick and looks like cottage cheese
• Cramps that are more painful than usual, don’t go away, get worse, or disrupt daily life
• Sex that is painful or causes ongoing bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding that lasts longer than seven days, is very heavy, happens again within 21 days, or occurs after menopause (12 months without a period)
• Mood changes that affect your relationships or work, get more intense, make you feel out of control, or otherwise disrupt your life
• Appetite loss that lasts more than a week or comes with rapid weight loss, nausea, fatigue, a fast heartbeat, or irritability

A healthcare professional can help identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend the right care or treatment.