9 Signs That Ovulation Is Over: How to Know for Sure?

What Are the Signs That Ovulation Is Over?

Every month, your body prepares for a possible pregnancy, and a key part of that process is ovulation. This is when a mature egg is released from the ovary, travels down the fallopian tube, and waits for sperm to fertilize it.

Once the egg is released, ovulation is technically over. That egg stays alive for only about 12-24 hours. After that, if it’s not fertilized, it breaks down, and your fertile window closes. Your body then shifts into the next phase of the menstrual cycle.

But how do you know when that shift has happened? Your body can give you signs that ovulation is over. Here’s what to watch for:

1. Changes in Cervical Mucus

Once the ovualtion is over, you may have decreased vaginal discharge. That happens due to the drop in estrogen levels and the rise in progesterone. These changes also cause the cervical mucus to become thicker and less slippery, leading to drier vaginal sensation. It’s a normal part of the menstrual cycle and indicates that the fertile window has passed.

On the contrary, before ovulation, cervical mucus is clear, stretchy, and looks like egg whites.

2. BBT Returning to Normal After Ovulation

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is your morning body temperature, generally taken rectally, orally, or vaginally after waking. It rises by 0.5–1°F (0.28–0.56°C) and remains elevated during ovulation, depending on the person. Once you see a clear, steady rise that lasts for at least three days in a row, it’s your body’s quiet way of telling you that ovulation has come and gone.

BBT does not drop immediately after ovulation, it stays high until just before your next period unless pregnancy occurs. When menstruation starts, that temperature typically drops back to normal (pre-ovulation levels).

3. Breast Tenderness (Not Pain!)

After ovulation, hormones like progesterone increase, making breasts feel slightly tender or swollen. But don't mix this up with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) breast pain, which tends to occur later in the cycle and is typically more intense.

You can also have sore nipples after ovulation, often due to hormonal changes, especially increased progesterone. This is a common symptom of the luteal phase (second half of the menstrual cycle) and may last until your next period.

4. End of Ovulation Cramping

Some people feel mild cramping or sharp twinges in the lower abdomen during ovulation (this is called "mittelschmerz"). Once ovulation is complete, the cramping usually stops.

5. Mood Changes

Let's say ovulation is over. Now you might feel a shift in mood as your hormone levels change. The drop in estrogen can cause irritability, fatigue, or even mild sadness.

Rising progesterone levels may leave you feeling more emotionally sensitive or prone to mood swings until your next period.

6. Libido Decreases

Ever wonder why your sex drive drops after ovulation? It’s all part of your body’s natural rhythm. During ovulation, your hormones boost your desire to help with pregnancy. But once ovulation is over, those hormones shift, and your libido naturally drops.

Why? Well, progesterone takes over after ovulation, making you feel calmer and less interested in sex. It’s like your body saying, "Job done - for now."

7. Changes in Cervical Position

So, here’s something cool about your body. Before ovulation, your cervix is soft, high, and open, making it easier for sperm to get in. After ovulation, though, it changes: moves lower, becomes harder, and closes up.

Tip: You can check your cervix every day to see these changes. Just gently insert a clean finger and feel around. 

If you’re not sure or need help, a visit to your gynecologist can give you a more professional check.

8. Ovulation Spotting Has Stopped

Some people notice mild discomfort or light spotting during ovulation. When ovulation ends, this spotting usually stops. It's a sign that your fertile window is closing. 

As hormone levels shift, you may also start to feel more balanced, both physically and emotionally, as your body moves into the next phase of the cycle.

9. Your Ovulation Test Turns Negative

Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) work by detecting a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which triggers ovulation. Once this surge drops, your test line fades back to negative - a clear clue that your ovulation is likely over.

Here’s how it usually plays out:

You’ll see a strong positive (test line as dark or darker than the control) 24-36 hours before ovulation. After the egg is released, LH levels decline, and the test returns to negative. So if your OPK was positive yesterday and now it’s not? That’s your body waving goodbye to its fertile window.

NOTE: These signs can vary from person to person, and not everyone will have them in the same way. Tracking a set of them will help you better recognize your cycle.

Want to Be 100% Sure Ovulation Is Over?

The listed above signs dont give any guarantee about whether ovulation is over. To confirm that, doctors usually combine those signs with 2 more factors:

1. Luteinizing hormone (LH) Changes

LH is the hormone that tells your ovary when to release an egg. It rises sharply just before ovulation, then quickly drops once the egg is released.

A blood test can measure your current LH level. If your results show that LH has already peaked and returned to a lower range, it’s a strong sign that ovulation is over. This method gives a clearer picture of where you are in your cycle and is often used in clinical fertility evaluations.

Unlike other methods, a blood test shows the actual hormone level at the time of testing, which can help confirm that the ovulation window has truly passed.

2. Ultrasound Folliculometry

Folliculometry is a way to check what's happening inside the ovaries using ultrasound. It helps doctors see if you're about to ovulate or if you already have. First, one follicle (a small fluid-filled sac) grows bigger than the others. When it gets to about 18–25 mm, it's ready to release an egg.

Then suddenly, the follicle disappears - that means ovulation has happened. In its place, a small structure called the corpus luteum shows up. Sometimes, there's a bit of fluid left behind as a sign that the egg was released.

By watching these changes, doctors can tell if you've ovulated. This is really helpful if you're trying to get pregnant naturally or with fertility treatments.

Can You Get Pregnant After Ovulation Is Over?

Pregnancy is most likely to occur in the days surrounding ovulation. You can become pregnant after ovulation, but only within a short window. The egg survives for about 12-24 hours after ovulation. 

So if sperm is present in the reproductive tract from recent intercourse or if unprotected sex occurs immediately after ovulation, fertilization can still happen.