How We Can Eliminate Cervical Cancer: A Global Health Imperative

Cervical Cancer Can Be Prevented—So Why Are People Still Dying?

Cervical cancer is a disease of the past. It's one of the few cancers that can be prevented, detected early, and treated successfully. With the help of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, successful screening tests, and early treatment, we possess all the tools we need to eliminate it.

But even with such advances, thousands of people continue to die annually, particularly in economically disadvantaged groups and low- and middle-income countries. Even in high-income nations such as the United States, there is still disparity in access and awareness—accounting for 11,500 new cervical cancer cases and 4,000 annual deaths.

A Three-Pronged Strategy to End Cervical Cancer

As Head of Global Health Policy at Roche Diagnostics, I fully support the World Health Organization's (WHO) cervical cancer elimination strategy, which requires:

1. HPV vaccination to prevent the disease at its source
2. Screening on a regular basis in women who are not vaccinated
3. Early treatment of people who are diagnosed with HPV or cervical cancer

We have a chance to turn the world back from cervical cancer—but we must act now to increase access, education, and innovation at every level of care.

The Access Gap: A Hurdle to Prevention

In poor-resource settings, limited finances, weak infrastructure, and restricted healthcare access put women far more at risk. But access problems are not limited to developing countries. In the United States, such barriers to access include:

1. Lack of awareness or misinformation
2. Transportation or childcare issues
3. Trauma in the past or cultural shame
4. Inconsistent healthcare provider recommendations
5. Segmented insurance and care delivery systems

These impediments prevent people from getting the life-saving screening and vaccination they need.

HPV Vaccination Rates Remain Too Low in the U.S.

Despite clear public health guidance for HPV vaccination from ages 9 to 26 (to age 45), the rate of uptake is alarmingly low. Adults and parents are unaware that HPV causes greater than 90% of all cervical cancers and that vaccination may be a prevention method.

To reverse this trend, we will need to:

1. Build trust in HPV vaccine safety and effectiveness
2. Integrate education into pediatric visits and school lessons
3. Provide vaccines in cities and the countryside

Why Screening Still Makes a Difference—Even with Vaccines

While vaccination will reduce future cases, screening remains indispensable in unvaccinated women. But the majority of cervical cancers occur in those who are never screened or screened too infrequently.

Two Forms of Screening:

1. Pap smears look for abnormal cervical cells
2. HPV tests detect the virus responsible for those abnormalities (16 and 18 are the most risky)

HPV testing is more precise and can be administered more flexibly, even via self-collection methods.

HPV Self-Collection: The Key to Reaching Hard-to-Reach Populations

Routine cervical screening relies on clinic availability, provider availability, and often invasive testing. But suppose women could collect their own samples in private?

They can—and they do.

A 2024 GlobalWebIndex (GWI) survey by Roche found that over 70% of women in 12 countries said they would opt for self-collection if offered.

Global Success Stories:

Australia: Self-collection increased HPV test rates, even in rural and remote communities

Peru: Among remote communities, 80% of women adopted self-collection screening

This approach transcends logistical, cultural, and emotional barriers—and holds promise to be a game-changer in increasing screening rates in the U.S. and around the globe.

Policy and Practice: What Must Shift?

To eradicate cervical cancer, healthcare systems must shift to meet people where they're at—literally and spiritually. The following four steps are crucial to take:

1. Educate and Raise Awareness

Only a few know about the link between HPV and cervical cancer. Public health messages must bridge this knowledge gap and merely state the advantages of HPV vaccination and screening.

2. Empower Healthcare Providers

Self-collection must be easy to integrate into clinical care. Policymakers and administrators must assist clinicians in offering flexible screening options that reduce the length of appointments and enhance follow-through.

3. Tackle All Barriers—Not Just Cost Ones

Even with insurance, there are too many Americans facing non-financial barriers to access—transportation, child care, lost time from work, and even emotional discomfort. These must be addressed in access plans.

4. Cultivating New Models of Care

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the way telehealth and home testing can expand access and reduce costs. HPV self-collection, mobile health clinics, and digital health technologies need to become an integral part of preventive care.

The Way Ahead: A Global Opportunity

Cervical cancer doesn't need to be a killer. We have the science, tools, and momentum to eradicate it. If only we work together across the public and private sectors to:

1. Make equitable access a top priority
2. Enable women to own their health
3. Streamline for providers to provide care
4. Transform how we screen and vaccinate

In so doing, we can ensure that nobody will die from an preventable cancer. Let's flip access, education, and delivery on its head—so that cervical cancer can be a thing of the past. 

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Can You Get Cervical Cancer Without HPV? Experts Explain Rare but Possible Cases

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, but the question remains as to the causes—especially where there is no HPV. Although Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for the majority of instances, can you have cervical cancer without it?

Here in this article, we condense the facts about HPV-negative cervical cancer, risk factors, and how you can stay safe—yes, even if you're negative for HPV.

Cervical Cancer and HPV: What's the Connection?

Nearly 99% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a group of more than 200 related viruses. Some types, known as high-risk HPV types, can cause cervical cell changes leading to an increased risk of cancer.

HPV caused 620,000 cancer cases in women and 70,000 in men in 2019 alone, the vast majority of which are in the cervix.

HPV infections in the majority of cases spontaneously resolve, while persistent high-risk HPV infection can lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and even throat.

Is Cervical Cancer Possible Without HPV?

Yes, but it's a rare phenomenon.

As stated by Dr. Shailly Sharma, Senior Consultant - Gynaecology and Associate Director at Cloudnine Hospital, Faridabad, 3–5% of cervical cancers are HPV-negative. These are exceptional cases and could be due to:

• Testing errors or false negatives
• HPV-independent cancer pathways exclusive to cervical cancer
• Aggressive or fast-growing subtypes of cervical cancer

A 2022 BMB Reports study found that even though early research had shown up to 13% of cases as HPV-negative, improved testing procedures have lowered the number to 3–8%, and significantly less using more advanced tests.

 "HPV-negative cervical cancers would be of a different nature and might be more aggressive or harder to detect early on," says Dr. Sharma.

Other Cervical Cancer Risk Factors (excluding HPV)

Even though HPV is still the main cause of cervical cancer, other factors are likely in HPV-negative cervical cancer:

1. Genetic Mutations

Genetic mutations in genes such as TP53 or PTEN may lead to abnormal cell growth.

2. Dysfunctional Immune System

A weakened immune system may fail to recognize and destroy abnormal cells.

3. Heavy Smoking

Smoking is an established risk factor that damages cervical cells and interferes with immune function.

4. Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammatory diseases may possibly increase cancer risk.

5. Other Infections

Other viruses like Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), or chlamydia have been studied, but none have been reported to cause cervical cancer in the absence of HPV.

Can Pap Smears Detect HPV-Negative Cervical Cancer?

Yes—Pap smear tests are still necessary, even for individuals who receive a negative HPV test.

"Pap smears examine cell changes in the cervix, whether or not there is HPV," explains Dr. Sharma. 

When combined with HPV testing, co-testing is a potent screening tool to identify early warning signs.

Regular screening is critical—even if your HPV test is negative.

How to Lower Your Risk of Cervical Cancer

Self-protection against cervical cancer entails more than just an HPV test. Here's how you can do it:

✅ Have regular Pap smears and HPV tests as advised.

✅ Take the HPV vaccine, even though it won't be able to prevent HPV-negative cancers—it will guard against most of them.

✅ Don't smoke and try to limit alcohol consumption.

✅ Use safe sex to limit contact with high-risk viruses.

✅ Boost your immune health by balancing your diet, exercising, and keeping stress in check.

Last Word: Be Informed, Be Safe

While HPV is the cause of most cervical cancers, HPV-negative cases exist as well. That's why one must remain on schedule with regular Pap smears, follow the recommendation of one's physician, and be a healthy person.

Regardless of whether you're HPV-positive or HPV-negative, early detection is your best defense.

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Protecting Our Future: The HPV Vaccine and What You Need to Know

 What's Happening?

Across the globe, health officials are stepping up efforts to promote awareness and availability of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The drive is not new, but in the last few years, it has gained momentum as governments, schools, and health providers join forces to expand coverage, especially among teenagers and young adults. Many countries now include the HPV vaccine in regular immunization programs, and some are embarking on school-based programs to get more children vaccinated early.

The heightened emphasis on HPV vaccination is part of a larger effort to prevent specific cancers, most notably cervical cancer, which is nearly entirely caused by HPV. The sense of urgency stems from a hope to eradicate preventable cancers in our lifetime—and the HPV vaccine is a key weapon in that fight.

Why Is This Important and What Is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus, a group of more than 200 viruses that are similar to one another. It's one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the world. Nearly all sexually active people will catch at least one type of HPV during their lifetime, and they might not even know. Even though most infections of HPV do go away by themselves, there are certain types that can lead to very serious health problems.

Certain high-risk strains of HPV are known to cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx (throat). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical cancers—the fourth most common cancer in women globally. The silver lining? The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers if administered before an individual is exposed to the virus.

Who Is Eligible?

The HPV vaccine is most effective if given before individuals become sexually active and are exposed to the virus. For this reason, it is generally recommended for:

Girls and boys aged 9 to 14 – This is the ideal age group because the response of the immune system to the vaccine is the highest and they are less likely to have been exposed to HPV.

Teens and young adults up to age 26 – They can still benefit from the vaccine, although they may have already been infected with some strains of HPV.

Some adults ages 27 to 45 – Vaccination might be advised in some cases after consultation with a healthcare provider, although the advantage is generally lower in this age group.

What's the Plan?

Organized efforts are being undertaken by governments and health organizations to enhance HPV vaccine uptake. These include:

1. School-based vaccination programs – Vaccination through schools enables access to a broad adolescent population regardless of healthcare access and socioeconomic status.

2. Public education campaigns – Raising awareness of HPV and vaccination benefits is key to demystifying misconceptions and vaccine reluctance.

3. Healthcare provider collaboration – Pediatricians, gynecologists, and general practitioners are being trained to recommend the vaccine confidently and respond to patients' and families' inquiries.

4. Global activities – Organizations like WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are enabling the introduction of HPV vaccines in low- and middle-income countries where cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among women.

How Will This Help?

The impact of universal HPV vaccination is already being experienced. There has been a significant decrease in HPV infections and cervical pre-cancers in countries with high vaccine coverage. For example, studies from countries like Australia and the UK show that there has been a decline of up to 90% in HPV infections among the vaccinated populations.

More widespread immunization also helps to create "herd immunity," protecting even the unvaccinated by reducing the overall spread of the virus. Further, by reducing the number of people that succumb to HPV-related disease, we relieve the burden on health systems and save the emotional and financial costs of cancer treatment.

What's the Bigger Picture?

The HPV vaccine isn't merely a public health intervention—it's a powerful step in cancer prevention and health equity. By providing access to this vaccine for all children, irrespective of gender and socioeconomic status, we're headed toward a future where fewer people will have to suffer the terrible diagnosis of a preventable cancer.

It's also about empowering people with knowledge. When parents have their kids vaccinated against HPV, they're prepping for health down the line. When teens and young adults receive information on STIs and how to protect themselves, they're claiming control over their futures.

The bigger goal? The WHO has set a global vision to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by the end of this century. The HPV vaccine is the cornerstone of that aspiration—and by supporting it, we're building a healthier, safer world for generations to come.

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How Childhood Conditions Shape Diabetes Risk for Life

Introduction: A Growing Global Health Crisis Among the Young

Metabolic diseases in children and youth are rising alarmingly worldwide. The rise is attributed to rapid economic growth, urbanization, and changes in lifestyle—most notably in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While health infrastructure struggles to keep pace, early-onset metabolic diseases like obesity, type 1 diabetes (T1D), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are becoming major public health concerns.

Obesity and Its Role in Early-Onset Diabetes

Obesity as a Gateway to T2D and T1D in Children

Childhood obesity is an important risk factor for disease of a metabolic nature. In the obese child, endocrine alterations during adolescence more commonly propel someone from a metabolically healthy to an unhealthy state. In particular:

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk increases with insulin resistance and accompanying cardiometabolic conditions like hypertension.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) can become established earlier in individuals with a genetic risk because obesity impacts metabolic and immune function.

Teenage behavioral patterns to smoke, consume alcohol, and become drug users further intensify health outcomes and reduce treatment adherence.

Diabetes Trends: What the Data Tells Us

Youth-Onset Diabetes Is On the Rise

The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study in the U.S. found that childhood prevalence of T2D increased by two-fold from 2002 to 2018. Similar expansion occurred globally in SWEET registry data (2012–2021):

• Most expansion in North America
• Slowest expansion in Europe
• Stable rates in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa
• T1D happens in nearly 20% of individuals under 20, with Finland and prosperous North America recording the highest levels, and Western Sub-Saharan Africa the lowest.

Genetics, Environment, and Early-Life Influences

While genetics are at play—especially in T2D—the interplay between environmental exposures, intrauterine environment, and socioeconomic factors must not be ruled out. For example:

Asian adolescents develop T2D at lower obesity rates, indicating a stronger genetic or epigenetic susceptibility.

Youth from socioeconomic disadvantage have higher incidence and complications due to limited access to healthcare.

Health Disparities and Healthcare Gaps in Diabetes Care

Ethnic and Socioeconomic Barriers

Genetic and predisposing factors vary by ethnicity—HLA-DR3 and DR4 in White individuals, DR9 in Japanese, and DR7 in African Americans—but disparities in access to technology, including continuous glucose monitors, add to health disparities. In LMICs, cost and availability continue to be major barriers.

Complications of Early-Onset Diabetes

Long-Term Health Risks and Mortality

Children and teenagers with early-onset T1D or T2D have more risks for complications and earlier death, mostly because of cardiovascular complications. Main findings:

• Teenagers show evidence of vessel damage (e.g., retinopathy, albuminuria) early on.
• Girls have worse metabolic control and are at higher risk of complications owing to hormonal disturbances.
• Earlier diagnosis is linked with greater exposure to disease and greater risk of death.

According to a meta-analysis of 1.3 million people, each 1-year delay in T2D diagnosis reduced all-cause mortality by 4%.

In LMICs, death is often due to preventable conditions—e.g., infections or diabetic ketoacidosis—due to poor healthcare infrastructure.

Solutions and Prevention Strategies

From Pre-Conception to Adolescence: A Lifespan Approach

To prevent the metabolic disease pandemic, prevention must start before birth and persist through adolescence. Key strategies are:

Healthy lifestyle promotion (healthy diets, physical activity)

Policy change at policy level:

• Sugar-sweetened beverages taxation
• Open food labeling
• Junk food advertising regulation
• Community action: Promotion of physical activity through active schools and public campaigns

Closing Treatment Gaps

Overcoming therapeutic inertia—reluctance to initiate or intensify treatment—is essential. Solutions are:

• Supplementing provider education on more recent treatments (e.g.,GLP-1 receptor agonists)
• Increasing access to affordable treatment in LMICs using scalable models of basic insulin, HbA1c testing, and patient education

Evidence proves even intermediate-level care makes a dramatic impact in mortality in low-resource settings.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Young people's metabolic disease epidemics are a complex but surmountable problem. It requires a multidisciplinary response—from policy reform, education, increased access to care, to targeted interventions for at-risk groups.

By acting early and across the board, the global public health community can reverse trends today and build a healthier tomorrow for children.

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Loneliness May Not Be as Deadly as We Thought — Surprising Study in Older Adults

Loneliness has been called a public health crisis for decades — compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in its impact on mortality. It's been labelled a "silent killer," quietly causing heart disease, depression, and early death. But a new global study led by Dr. Bonaventure Egbujie at the University of Waterloo provides a new finding that contradicts this long-standing assumption.

In a seemingly counterintuitive finding, the study revealed that among some of the weakest older adults, participants who were lonely were 18–23% less likely to die within one year than those who were not lonely.

A Closer Look: What the Study Found

The study analyzed information on 383,386 older adults in Canada, Finland, and New Zealand, focusing on those receiving home-care services. These are individuals who live independently but require assistance with everyday activities like bathing, dressing, and medication.

The group was chosen due to the fact that they have complex health needs and are typically assumed to be at risk due to physical vulnerability and loneliness.

What they found was contrary to expectation: loneliness doesn't correlate with a higher risk of mortality — in fact, in most cases, the opposite was true.

Why Would Lonely People Live Longer in this Group?

The results raise an important question: how could loneliness be related to lower mortality in such a vulnerable population?

The following are some reasons that have been posited by the researchers and experts:

More professional surveillance: Lonely individuals might get more visits or attention from caregivers, social workers, or health care professionals. This increased contact, though professional rather than personal, can lead to earlier medical intervention when problems exist.

Self-awareness and honesty: Individuals who are open to acknowledging their loneliness may also be open to accepting support services or following medical advice, which can improve their overall health status.

Organized care setting: Unlike those under total social isolation, these older individuals still have home-care entitlements, which may buffer the negative impacts of loneliness through regular contact, though limited.

It's also worth remembering that loneliness does not always mean being alone. Some individuals are content with minimal social interaction, and others would feel lonely in a crowd. Such complicated experiences have differing effects on health.

Challenging the Narrative: Is Loneliness Always Damaging?

This study doesn't suggest that loneliness is desirable — far from it. Persistent loneliness can be a cause of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, and it remains a risk factor for cognitive decline. But it does encourage health professionals and policymakers not to jump to conclusions.

Rather than presuming that loneliness is always fatal, this research highlights the importance of context. In situations in which individuals are supported by structured systems — for instance, home-care services — the affective effect of loneliness might not directly manifest as physical decline.

Implications for Healthcare and Aging Policy

The study may have significant implications for how we approach aging and elder care:

Targeted interventions: Rather than treating all loneliness as an emergency, care systems can be more effective if tailored to the individual's circumstances and needs.

 Resource allocation: If coordinated care minimizes the risks of loneliness, investment in robust home-care programs can be a preferable, more effective means of improving long-term outcomes for older individuals.

Rethinking "connection": Quality of connection may matter more than quantity of connection. Regular, meaningful interactions — even if professional in nature — may be enough to sustain health and well-being.

Conclusion: Rethinking Loneliness as a Public Health Crisis

Loneliness remains a concern, especially as populations age and families become more dispersed. But this study is a reminder that the impact of loneliness is not always simple — or always bad. In elderly individuals who have access to ongoing care, loneliness will not end life prematurely, and may even be linked to a slightly longer survival in some cases.

As we continue to battle the worsening mental health crisis and aging population challenges, let's look deeper into the numbers — and see the whole picture before drawing broad conclusions.

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Why Muscle Building is the Secret to Living Longer, Says Heart Surgeon Dr. Jeremy London

Introduction: Muscle Mass – It's Not Just About Strength

When most people think about muscle mass, they associate it with physical functioning or looks. But heart surgeon Dr. Jeremy London, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon, refers to far greater benefit: longevity. In a recent video shared on Instagram on June 17, Dr. London explained how maintaining muscle mass is essential to living longer, healthier, and independently.

Muscle: The Secret Organ of Longevity

As Dr. London describes, muscle can be thought of as "the organ of longevity." It may surprise many to hear this, but the logic makes sense. As we get older, both women and men simply begin losing muscle mass — a condition known as sarcopenia. Muscle loss can lead to frailty, reduced mobility, and a much higher risk of life-altering falls.

Dr. London explains that building and maintaining muscle isn't about being strong — it's about staying functional and preventing the physical deterioration that usually accompanies aging. "The stronger you are, the longer you can live independently," he explains.

Why Strength Training Matters for Long-Term Health

Strength training is typically prescribed for its role in improving posture, bone mineral density, and joint health. But what Dr. London is pointing out is that it also radically changes our physiology. Resistance exercise done regularly can:

• Improve metabolism and insulin sensitivity
• Enhance cardiovascular function
• Reduce risk of chronic disease including type 2 diabetes
• Sustain hormone function and immune status
• Retain mobility and reduce fall risk in older adults

When you work out at the gym and pump iron, you're not just sculpting your physique — you're making investments in your future well-being.

Daily Chores Easier with Muscle Maintenance

Perhaps the most glaring benefit of building muscle is how easy you can accomplish daily activities. Climbing stairs, moving groceries, standing up from a chair--having sufficient muscular mass makes all these activities simpler and safer.

Dr. London describes how this additional functionality reaps rewards in terms of quality of life, especially as we age. "Having muscle allows you to stay active, prevent injury, and stay the activities you like — without depending on other individuals," he continues.

The Muscle-Frailty Connection: Stopping Life-Altering Falls

Falling is among the top causes of serious injury and hospitalization in the elderly. Muscle weakness in the trunk and legs is a significant risk factor for falling. Dr. London stresses that being strong is one of the best methods to avoid it.

By performing strength training regularly, an individual is able to build up the muscle necessary for maintaining good balance, coordination, and confidence in ambulation — all of which play a role in reducing the likelihood of catastrophic falls.

Conclusion: Build Muscle Today for a Better Tomorrow

Dr. Jeremy London's message is that muscle is not just a physical commodity — it's a biological system for living better and longer. Strength training isn't just for athletes and bodybuilders; it's part of preventive medicine.

Begin prioritizing muscle health now to enjoy the long-term payoff. Regardless of age, whether you're 30 or 70, it's never too early to make your body strong and to pave the way for longevity.

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8 Ovulation Cues Your OB-GYN Wants You to Know

Identify your fertile window and take control of your reproductive health.

Cracking the code of ovulation is a basic part of reproductive wellness—whether you're trying to get pregnant or simply wanting to better understand your body. But many are unaware of the physical cues that point to ovulation taking place.

"When we're a little bit older as women, we're more attuned to their bodies," according to Dr. Chavone Momon-Nelson, an OB-GYN from Pennsylvania. "You don't necessarily have to be symptomatic, and sometimes they're very subtle. But some people are very sensitive when they're ovulating."

Here in this article, we clarify what ovulation is, when it typically happens, and the most common signs to look out for.

Ovulation is the time in your menstrual cycle when your ovary discharges an egg. The egg travels down the fallopian tube, where it may meet sperm and become fertilized. If you are trying to get pregnant, this is your peak fertile time.

Ovulation typically occurs in the middle of your cycle. In a standard 28-day cycle, ovulation usually occurs around day 14 and lasts three days.

When Do You Ovulate?

Most menstrual cycles are between 25 and 35 days. Ovulation usually happens around 14 days before your next period arrives. That is to say, if your cycle is regular, you can calculate your fertile window by knowing the length of your cycle. You're most fertile in the pre-ovulation days and at the time of ovulation.

8 Ovulation Symptoms to Look For

Some symptoms of ovulation are difficult to distinguish from PMS. If any symptom is severe or interruptive, it's better to seek a healthcare provider.

Following are the most frequent ovulation symptoms, as recommended by OB-GYNs:

1. One-Sided Pain or Cramping

Ovulation cramps, or mittelschmerz, affect about 40% of women. It is usually a dull cramp on one side of the lower abdomen and usually occurs about two weeks after the period.

"There can be pain from whichever side you dropped the egg," says OB-GYN Dr. Christine Greves. "It usually won't last more than a day and a half."

2. Breast Tenderness

Hormonal changes during ovulation can lead to sore or heavy breasts.

"If your breasts are very slightly tender, that can mean a surge of your hormones," Greves says.

3. Bloating

Feeling bloated or having fullness in the stomach is a sign that ovulation has started. "Some women report that they start to feel bloated," Momon-Nelson says.

4. Improved Sex Drive

Peak libido at ovulation is felt by most people.

"Women will say they're more in the mood for sex when they're ovulating," says Momon-Nelson. Greves continues that it is simply because the body has a urge to reproduce.

5. Mood Swings or Irritability

Some will be more romantic, while some might be less so.

"Women are just so irritable and have mood swings," says Momon-Nelson. Women in perimenopause may also experience sexual desire change during this time.

6. Changes in Cervical Mucus

Ovulation causes cervical mucus to be clearer, more stretchy, and slippery—more like egg white. This facilitates sperm to pass more smoothly through the cervix.

"Most women notice the difference but don't necessarily think they owe it to ovulation," Momon-Nelson says.

7. Light Spotting

There might be some light spotting when the egg is discharged.

"Although you can have a little spotting when you're ovulating," says Greves, "not a great deal, just very tiny amounts."

8. Small Increase in Basal Body Temperature

Taking your basal body temperature (BBT)—the temperature when you're completely still—can be used to identify ovulation. A very small increase (about 0.5°F) might be a sign that you're ovulating.

However, BBT monitoring requires consistency and precision, and other factors like illness or stress impact the readings. "It doesn't always work," Momon-Nelson cautions.

How to Monitor Ovulation

Use a Calendar or Period Tracker

Start by tracking your period for several months. Mark days between cycles to estimate your average cycle length. This can help you find when ovulation is most likely to occur.

You can get an idea of when you would be due for your period each month," says Greves.

Try an Ovulation Test

If your period is unpredictable or you require more accuracy—especially if you're attempting to conceive—try using an ovulation predictor kit (OPK). These over-the-counter home urine tests detect the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge that triggers ovulation.

"If you are having trouble conceiving, all of this is time-sensitive," Greves emphasizes. "If you want that confirmation, just pee on the stick."

Last Thoughts

Learning the signs of ovulation can empower you with greater control over your reproductive health—whether you are planning for pregnancy or simply learning more about your body. If your symptoms become too much or your cycles become irregular, don't hesitate to speak with your doctor.

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