I have been reading on here for a while and keep coming across the ladies talking about ovulating. How do you know when that is? Does the doctor have to tell you? Sorry for the stupid question.

One of the best ways to tell is to check your temperature daily, there will be a slight rise at ovulation time. It's best to use a thermometer that reads out to 1/100ths. If you do a 'net search on "ovulation temperature" you'll find all sorts of great info ! :-)

I never knew when I ovulated. I'd also hear other women talk about "oh I'm ovulating" and I used to think "huh"? They'd talk of clear stretchy mucus and all this, and I'd be oblivious. Obviously I must have been as I have children. However, since I have had my tubes tied I know when because I get the stretchy thickish mucus (but grossly and I apologise mine is streaked brownish like old blood) for about a day and then clear stretchy for another day or so. Lately I've also been getting the nice stabbing pains in the ovaries and backache for a few days.

Isn't it fun being a girl. I look at my almost three year old daughter and I just want to apologise for making her a girl. All of this grief is in front of her.

The average time of ovulation is the fourteenth day of an average length (twenty-eight day) menstrual cycle. It is normal for the day of ovulation to vary from the average, with ovulation anywhere between the tenth and nineteenth day being common.

Cycle length alone is not a reliable indicator of the day of ovulation. While in general an earlier ovulation will result in a shorter menstrual cycle, and vice versa, the luteal (post-ovulatory) phase of the menstrual cycle may vary by up to a week between women.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Hi,

How do you know if you ovulate if you only get your period every 2 or 3 months? I know you ususally ovulate about 14 days before your period starts but what if you go 90 days without one? Sometimes I have no symptoms at all and then all of a sudden the period appears. Other times I have cramps for weeks before it shows up. I really can't tell if I ovulate at all anymore!

Even if your periods are irregular, you are likely ovulating approx 14 days ahead of each one.

If you don't feel it, and don't notice it by the quality (texture and color) of your discharge, the temperature method will probably work for you. But it's a hard habit to develop, you have to take your temp every morning upon waking. I had a really hard time remembering, I'm so foggy in the morning. :-)

Thank you for your replies every one. Now I know what to look for. All this stuff is for the birds!

well count yourself lucky if you are not like some of us here who can barely walk when ovulating. I always know because I will get extra mucous along with miserable ovary pain in my Right side to the point of finding it hard to go to the bathroom, walk anything basicaly that puts pressure on my groin area. I don't get this pain every mo. anymore...I just got it last mo. after 3 or so mo. without. Whenever I don't notice the pain my period is always 2 weeks early. When I do it seems to be closer to the day it is supposed to come. Hugs

I almost always know when I am ovulating - the pain in the side (usually only my left side) and the stretchy, rather copious mucous. Lately - last 2 years or so - it has not been as obvious as my always-predictable cycle goes somewhat haywire!