Every month, a woman’s body may go through a series of changes that she can feel, notice, or barely recognize. Her energy might shift, her breasts may become sensitive, her lower abdomen might ache, and her natural vaginal discharge can change noticeably.

These changes can be connected to ovulation, the stage of the menstrual cycle when an ovary releases an egg.

For some women, ovulation passes without any obvious symptoms. For others, it brings physical sensations and changes in mood, appetite, or sexual desire. Understanding what happens during this phase helps explain why the body can feel different at different points in the month.

Ovulation is controlled by a carefully coordinated interaction between hormones.

During the first part of the menstrual cycle, a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) helps follicles in the ovaries develop. Usually, one follicle becomes dominant and contains an egg that continues maturing.

As the follicle develops, estrogen levels rise. This hormone helps prepare the reproductive system for a possible pregnancy and influences several processes throughout the body.