Fertility Health

Ovulation and Implantation: Signs and Symptoms

Ovulation and implantation are events that are incredibly important when trying to conceive. Implantation cannot happen without ovulation and fertilization of the egg. Often, signs and symptoms of ovulation, implantation and PMS get confused. In this blog post, we will explore the differences and similarities between ovulation and implantation.

egg from ovary to fallopian tube

What is ovulation?

Every cycle, follicles mature in the ovary. Ovulation occurs when a matured egg (or ovum) is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube. There isn’t always an ovum produced per cycle, and sometimes there can be two from each ovary. Roughly 91-98% of the cycles are ovulatory.

When the ovum is released after rupturing the follicles, it gets ready to be fertilized. This process happens around mid-cycle. Depending on your menstrual cycle length, it can come as early as day 12 or up to day 21. The Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels start rising and peak 12-24 hours before ovulation, preparing the follicles to rupture and release the ovum.

There are different ovulation symptoms that we can experience before, during, and after ovulation. This does not mean everyone experiences them in the same way. Many of us do not experience any ovulation symptoms at all. Hormones are the cause, but we are all not susceptible to their effects outside of the ovary.

Symptoms of Ovulation

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Increased sexual desire
  • Breast tenderness
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Cervical Mucus changes
  • Ovulation bleeding or spotting
  • Rise in basal body temperature (BBT)

For more details on ovulation symptoms, click here.

implantation of egg in edometrium

What is Implantation?

On the other hand, implantation is the end of the ovum journey when the egg has been fertilized. It marks the beginning of the pregnancy. Although pregnancy is only detected a few weeks later, implantation is the beginning of it all. We are talking of a single ovum cell at this stage, which is called a blastocyst.

When the blastocyst attaches to the uterine lining or endometrium, that is what we called implantation. Implantation occurs between 8 and 10 days after ovulation. However, it can happen as early as 6 days and as late as 12 days post ovulation. During that time, the blastocyst or the fertilized egg hang out in the uterus.

Implantation is a complex process with various stages in which the embryo becomes firmly attached to the endometrium. Progesterone plays a vital role as it helps prepare the uterus for implantation. It helps explicitly by stimulating glandular and new vessel development, which will eventually provide a suitable environment for the fertilized egg (blastocyst) to develop into an embryo.

Successful implantation is the beginning of pregnancy, and different symptoms can be experienced.

Symptoms of Implantation

  • Bleeding
  • Cramping

Some signs and symptoms of implantation are commonly bleeding or cramping. Implantation bleeding is usually light, spotty blood that is pink-ish or brown-ish and does not have clots or thick consistency. Implantation cramps are not as intense as period cramping (If you experience severe pain, you should talk to your practitioner). Still, they cause a slight prickly or tingly sensation in the abdomen, as reported by some women.

Other symptoms that can accompany implantation bleeding or cramping are early signs and symptoms of pregnancy.

journey of the egg from ovulation to implantation

Early pregnancy symptoms can include:

  • Tiredness
  • Mood swings
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting, especially in the mornings “morning sickness.”
  • Headaches
  • Heartburn
  • Tender breasts
  • Food cravings and/or aversions

Implantation symptoms vs PMS

Implantation or early pregnancy symptoms can be confused with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or the beginning of the next period. Mood swings, tiredness, food cravings and tender breasts can also be symptoms of an oncoming period. Nausea and morning sickness, on the other hand, are not common symptoms of PMS.

The best way to differentiate PMS symptoms and early pregnancy symptoms is to take a pregnancy test after 2 weeks after ovulation, which is known as the two-week wait. If you have symptoms that you believe can be pregnancy and have a missed period, take a pregnancy test or consult with your doctor for confirmation. Read our Blog Post: The best time to take a pregnancy test.

Pearl can track your cycle

The Pearl kit and app track LH and FSH hormones to help you pinpoint ovulation in advance and know your fertile days. It also shows you your hormone chart: a graph where you can see FSH and LH going up and down. Knowing what your hormones are up to will help you understand any signs you are seeing or symptoms you are feeling.

Tracking your cycle can help you know your body and what is “normal” for you, or how your hormones are causing all those side effects leading to ovulation and implantation. If there are any changes or new symptoms in your cycle, you can catch them early, get to know the cause and consult with your practitioner at an early stage, or simply get to know yourself better.

Get your kit today!

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