How to Know If You Are Ovulating Regularly With PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the main cause of ovulatory infertility. Find out more about how PCOS can disrupt the menstrual cycle and how to tell when or if you are ovulating.

How to Track Ovulation With PCOS

Ellen Linder / Verywell

PCOS and Ovulation

The menstrual cycle is initiated when a hormone is secreted in the brain causing an egg follicle in the ovary to begin growing. The two main hormones in this process are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the hormone that's involved in stimulating the maturation of an egg, and luteinizing hormone (LH), the hormone that triggers ovulation or the release of the egg.

Due to the imbalance of sex hormones in women who have PCOS, eggs don't always mature or get released from the ovary to be fertilized. Instead, they collect on the ovaries as small, immature follicles, which are mistakenly called cysts.

A woman with PCOS tends to produce excess androgens or male hormones.﻿﻿ As a result, a woman's menstrual cycle and ovulation can be affected. Her cycles may be irregular, longer than normal, or may not occur at all. She may or may not ovulate in a given cycle.

Signs That You Are Ovulating

Having regular periods is one sign of ovulation. Here are a few other ways that you can determine if and when you are ovulating to maximize your success in conceiving a baby.

  • Ovulation Prediction Kits: Ovulation prediction kits look for elevated levels of LH, which surges right before ovulation. Since women with PCOS tend to have high levels of LH to begin with, ovulation kits may not be as reliable for them as they are for other women. There are many different types of ovulation predictor kits, ranging from affordable to very expensive.
  • Basal Body Temperature: Another way to determine whether you're ovulating involves using a thermometer to measure your basal body temperature. Right before ovulation, a woman's temperature will spike. For most accurate results, temperatures need to be recorded using a digital thermometer at the same time every day. Generally, early in the morning upon waking up is best. When you see the temperature rise, there's a good chance that you may be ovulating.
  • Checking Your Cervical Mucus: A woman's cervical mucus changes throughout the course of her monthly menstrual cycle. At the start of her cycle, her cervical mucus will be dry. Cervical mucus that is wet or of the consistency of raw egg whites is a sign that ovulation is approaching. Most notice this change in discharge a few days before ovulation. It also may become wetter and more slippery over several days. 
  • Checking Cervical Position: Just like your cervical mucus changes, your cervix also goes through changes throughout the course of your monthly menstrual cycle. You can reach inside your vagina to feel your cervix. If you are able to feel your cervix pretty easily, you're usually not close to ovulating. If you are ovulating, your cervix may be higher in your body and more difficult to reach.

Using one or more of these techniques can help you make sure that you are timing sex properly if you are trying to conceive. Getting to know your body each month and trying these techniques are important ways to maximize your chances of having a baby.

If You're Not Sure

If you don't seem to be getting clear signals that you are ovulating, you should see a doctor and get an evaluation. You may need some help with regulating your menstrual cycles or getting pregnant. Typically, a fertility specialist or a reproductive endocrinologist will do a full hormonal work up, obtain a detailed medical history, and possibly do an ultrasound to help determine if and when you are ovulating.

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Article Sources
  1. Barbieri, Robert L, MD, Ehrmann, David A MD. Patient education: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate. Apr 12, 2019.

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