Ovulation occurs approximately 10-12 hours after the luteinising hormone (LH) peak and lasts about 16 to 32 hours. A mature egg is released from an ovary and travels down a fallopian tube towards the uterus. The LH surge is initiated by a dramatic rise in oestrogen produced by the follicle.

• Hormonal changes: A peak in LH and oestrogen levels just before ovulation.
• Common symptoms: Mild pelvic or lower abdominal pain (known as mittelschmerz), an increase in body temperature, and heightened libido. Some women may also experience light spotting or changes in their discharge, which becomes more slippery and elastic.

Brain activity

During the ovulatory phase, the peak in oestrogen levels significantly enhances several areas of brain function and connectivity. This hormonal surge boosts verbal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating more effective communication and stronger interpersonal connections.

While the exact impact of these are not yet conclusive, neuroimaging studies have shown that brain dynamics exhibit increased flexibility among prefrontal, limbic, and subcortical nodes compared to the follicular and luteal phases, possibly indicating more efficient information transfer across different parts of the brain (Avila-Varela, D.S. et al. 2024).