Women have about five days during each cycle when they are fertile, the days before and up to ovulation. There are some common physical symptoms of ovulation that you may observe.

Frequent physical signs indicating ovulation are:

increased body temperature

increased cervical mucus

change of position and firmness of cervix

abdominal cramps (Mittelschmerz)

increased libido

tender breasts

Ovulation Sign: Basal Body Temperature

Basal body temperature (BBT) is the temperature of your body in a resting state. The best time to find your BBT is in the morning when hours have passed without any physical activity. Immediately following ovulation most women experience a rise in their normal body temperature of around 0.5 to 1 degrees Fahrenheit. Basal Body Temperature increases as a response to hormone levels. Therefore if you can find out when this temperature increases, you can determine when you ovulate. You can get a thermometer to measure your temperature from your local drugstore or pharmacy.

Ovulation Sign: Cervical Mucus

The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the vagina. It's shape is cylindrical and about half of it is visible with proper medical equipment. Cervical mucus is generated at the woman's cervix. During the initial part of a woman's cycle, most women report limited amounts of cervical mucus. As the cycle continues, the cervical mucus increases and is cloudy and sticky. During ovulation, cervical mucus is most abundant and becomes clear and slippery and stretches like egg white. This fertile cervical mucus allows easy transport of sperm through the cervix on the way to the egg.

Ovulation Sign: Cervical Position

The cervix can be detected by inserting one or two fingers into the vagina. When reaching back, you should be able to feel the certix. A symptom of ovulation is the change of position and moisture of the cervix.

During the first half of your cycle, the cervix will feel relatively firm and dry. The cervix will be positioned low and easy to reach. The entrance of the cervix will feel closed. Before ovulation, the cervix will become soft and moist. The entrance of the cervix will feel open. During peak ovulation, the entrance of the cervix will increase to it's maximum and it may be difficult to reach with your fingers. Ovulation Sign: Mittelschmerz

About one in five women experience lower abdominal pain called Mittelschmerz. This pain symptom can appear suddenly and usually subsides within hours, although it may sometimes last two or three days.

Finally, other physical symptoms during ovulation reported by some women are tender breasts and increased libido.