Ovulation, or the second “time of the month”, is another part of a woman’s menstrual cycle that is often accompanied by some unpleasant symptoms.
Ovulation affects many things in a woman’s body and some women claim that it even affects their bladder, causing them to need to pee more often than usual. Is this true?
There is no evidence that ovulation is a cause for urinary incontinence, however, fluctuating hormone levels during ovulation may influence water retention and the flow of fluid out of the body, making a woman need to urinate more frequently.
If you tend to visit the bathroom more frequently during ovulation and you’ve wondered whether or not this is normal, this article is for you.
How Ovulation Affects Your Bladder and Urine
Hormones are what govern your menstrual cycle and any woman can tell you that they impact just about everything in your body, including your urinary patterns.
Why Ovulation Affects Your Bathroom Habits
You may have noticed that on some days you are heading to the bathroom twice as often during the day, or may be waking up more frequently at night to use the bathroom. It is possible that this is linked to where you are in your menstrual cycle. Many women experience more frequent urination during their period and the days after, which is typically when ovulation occurs.
This could be due to the drop in the hormone, progesterone, which had caused water retention at the end of your previous cycle. Without the progesterone to hold in the fluid, it is now beginning to flow out.
Does Urine Color Change During Ovulation?
There is no evidence to support the claim that ovulation affects the color of your urine. Other factors such as hydration, diet, vitamins and minerals have the most influence on how dark or bright your urine may be.
Yellow Urine During Ovulation
The color of urine should always fall on the yellow spectrum. Depending on how much water you have consumed, your urine will be a pale yellow or a darker yellow. Certain vitamins and minerals consumed in your diet, such as beta carotene, vitamin C and B vitamins, can cause pigmentation changes in urine that result in bright urine.
Cloudy Urine During Ovulation
Oftentimes, the body will produce extra cervical mucus during ovulation that may appear as a white substance in urine. More commonly, cloudy urine is a sign of other medical conditions such as dehydration or infection.
Frequent Urination During Ovulation
While it has not been scientifically proven, many women experience frequent urination around the time of their period and ovulation. The reason for this is not known, but it is likely due to hormones.
Cramping and Frequent Urination During Ovulation
Many women experience cramping when they ovulate, similar to when they are on their period. Ovulation cramps often only occur on one side of the abdomen, depending on which ovary is releasing an egg.
Frequent Urination After Ovulation
Increased urination after ovulation without drinking excessive fluids is often an indicator that a woman has conceived during that cycle. Not long after conception, blood flow to the kidneys increases, which results in the kidneys producing more urine.
UTI Symptoms During Ovulation
The symptoms associated with a UTI can be similar to those you may feel during ovulation. This can make it difficult to determine which one you are experiencing.
Pelvic pain, lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, frequent urination, spotting or bleeding, and bloating are all signs that could be linked to ovulation or a UTI. Typically, however, there are more tell-tale signs of a UTI such as a burning sensation when urinating and strong-smelling, discolored urine. Because it is an infection in the body, fever, and chills often accompany a UTI as well. These are not symptoms usually associated with ovulation.
Bladder Pressure During Ovulation
You may feel increased bladder pressure during ovulation due to hormonal shifts. This symptom should not last very long. If you continue to feel bladder pressure when you are not ovulating, it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition such as a UTI or Painful Bladder Syndrome.
Urinary Incontinence During Ovulation
Estrogen is associated with pelvic floor strength and bladder control. Estrogen levels change throughout your monthly cycle and are the highest during ovulation. They are the lowest right before, during and after your period.
This is why some women experience leakage during that time of their cycle. Depending on when you ovulate and your hormone levels, you may also experience leakage during ovulation.
Ovulation Side Effects
Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle, about two weeks before your period starts. The timing can vary from person to person and may be different each month. While it is rare, ovulation can even happen twice a month.
The irregular timing can make it difficult to track, but paying attention to your physical symptoms can help you have an idea of when you might be ovulating.
Pain and Discomfort
Some women experience slight pelvic discomfort or mild cramps before or during ovulation. Some women even feel a “twinge” or “pop” in their ovaries when the follicle ruptures and the egg is released. It is also common to feel pain in the ovaries (either side of the lower abdomen) during ovulation.
Changes in Body Temperature
Your basal body temperature, your temperature when you first wake up in the morning, rises about one degree during the 24 hours after ovulation.
Changes in Cervical Mucus
Vaginal discharge can tell you a lot about where you are in your menstrual cycle. Changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone change the consistency of cervical mucus, making it more permeable for traveling sperm. During ovulation, you may notice that you have more cervical mucus on your underwear liner and its consistency will be like that of an egg white.
Appetite and Mood Changes
Typical PMS symptoms such as appetite and mood changes are also common during ovulation.
Tender Breasts
Similar to early pregnancy, breasts may feel tender during ovulation. They may also feel a bit fuller than usual.
Bloating
Some women feel bloated before and during ovulation. Because bloating happens during menstruation and other times in a woman’s cycle, it is not the most reliable indicator of ovulation.
Abnormal Symptoms During Ovulation
Irregular Cycles or Missed Periods
Unpredictable periods that are very short or long could be an indicator of an ovulation problem. Missed periods over an extended period of time, known as amenorrhea, is also an indicator of an issue with ovulation.
Extreme Pain or Discomfort
While mild pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen near the ovaries is common during ovulation, extreme pain is not. Your pain should not exceed that of slight menstrual cramps.
Related Questions:
How Many Times Should a Woman Pee a Day?
Every woman is on her own schedule, but typically, peeing 6-8 times in 24 hours is considered normal for a woman who is healthy and not pregnant. Depending on how much water you consume daily, you may pee more or less than this daily average.
Why Do I Pee More on My Period?
Prior to your period, your progesterone levels are elevated. Once your period begins, these levels drop which causes a fluid shift in the body. This releases a lot of fluid in the body and may cause you to pee more.
Conclusion
To sum things up, more frequent urination can happen during ovulation, but it could also be a sign of something more serious like a urinary tract infection. Make sure that you pay attention to your body and are aware of the other signs that indicate an infection or a more serious issue.
Mom of three (including identical twin boys), wife, and owner of Parents Wonder. This is my place to share my journey as a mother and the helpful insights I learn along the way.