The most obvious outward sign of impending ovulation is increasing wet and slippery cervical fluid. In fact, it can be so abundant that women notice a string of cervical fluid literally hang down when they are using the toilet (Bon appetite, by the way). If a woman notices this, she should assume that ovulation is about to happen within a day or two. This is what is referred to as a primary fertility sign.

Some women are lucky enough to notice other signs on a regular basis, all of which are very helpful in being able to further understand their cycles. These signs are referred to as secondary fertility signs, because they do not necessarily occur in all women, or in every cycle in individual women. Yet they are still very practical for giving women additional information to identify their fertile and infertile phases.

Secondary signs as ovulation approaches may include:

* Mid-cycle spotting
* Pain or achiness near the ovaries and uterus (called “mittelschmerz”)
* Increased sexual feelings
* Fuller vaginal lips
* Abdominal bloating
* Water retention
* Increased energy level
* Heightened sense of vision, smell and taste
* Increased sensitivity in breasts and skin
* Breast tenderness