Bloating during ovulation: Causes, symptoms & how to manage

Everyone’s hormonal symptoms are unique, and whether or not you experience ovulation bloating, it’s worth exploring and understanding the condition so that you can stay comfortable and informed about what your body is going through.

In this article, we’ll define bloating during ovulation along with what causes it, how long you can expect it to last, and how to treat the condition so that you can feel your best.

What is ovulation bloating?

Before we dive into ovulation bloating specifically, bloating, in general, is a condition that many people experience where they feel a sense of fullness, heaviness, gassiness, and/or discomfort in their stomach [1,2]. For some women, this feeling arises specifically during ovulation, which is what we refer to as ovulation bloating. While this symptom has not yet been studied extensively by the medical community, it’s a real and valid sensation that can disrupt everyday activities.

What causes ovulation bloating?

While bloating can be a symptom of more serious but treatable digestion conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [2], the most common causes of abdominal bloating are:

1. Excess gas in your stomach: This can happen when you consume certain foods or carbonated drinks [1]. 
2. Fluid retention: This often happens when we eat very salty foods (this is our body’s way of trying to keep us hydrated while trying to digest the excess salt).

Bloating from fluid retention specifically can also be caused by hormonal shifts throughout the menstrual cycle [3]. Let’s look at the underlying hormonal systems and processes that may explain why some women experience bloating during ovulation and others don’t.

Can ovulation cause bloating? 

Yes, ovulation may cause bloating, but much of the evidence for this is anecdotal, and there aren’t many studies available to prove how and why this happens. Remember that this doesn’t mean it’s invalid or not happening — but it does mean that more evidence is needed to prove there is a direct link between ovulation and bloating. Like many areas in women’s health this is one more topic where more research is needed.

One leading theory as to why bloating during ovulation happens is that fluid retention increases around the time of ovulation. When studying the relationship between fluid retention and the menstrual cycle, one study published in 2011 found that fluid retention in the body typically peaks on the first day of your period, but it starts to increase in the days surrounding ovulation. This means that ovulation is likely the point when you might first start to feel signs of bloating during your cycle [3].

The same study notes that “hormonal factors underlying these changes remain poorly understood.” The authors wanted to see if fluid retention would happen more frequently in cycles without ovulation (referred to as anovulatory cycles) because of unstable hormone levels. The sample size of the study was too small to draw any conclusions, but they did find less reports of fluid retention mid-cycle in anovulatory cycles [3].

What hormones cause ovulation bloating?

Let’s do a quick refresher on ovulation. It’s a key time in your cycle typically around the midpoint when the ovary releases a mature egg cell. This process only happens because of cues from certain hormones in your body like estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH). 

During ovulation, LH and estrogen levels peak, while progesterone levels rise afterwards. LH and estrogen work together to cue the egg cell’s release. Right after ovulation, estrogen and LH levels drop, but progesterone maintains high levels throughout the luteal phase.

With that in mind, one study found that both the hormones estrogen and progesterone have an effect on the body’s fluid retention and sodium (salt) regulation processes [4]. While not a strong link, this could explain why bloating might happen around the time of ovulation when levels of both of these hormones are shifting quickly.

Again, this link has not been studied extensively or proven to be the direct cause of bloating during ovulation, but it’s possible that  if bloating is happening at the same time as a particular hormonal event like ovulation, the hormones associated with that event could be involved.

Is ovulation bloating normal?

It’s tough to find exact numbers on how many women experience bloating during ovulation, but the 2011 study mentioned earlier followed more than 60 women over the course of 750+ cycles total (about one year, or 12 cycles per woman on average). Of that group, a small number of them experienced fluid retention right around the time of ovulation, which declined when their period started. However, most of the women noted that they had no fluid retention at all. [3].

Other ovulation symptoms 

Aside from bloating, there are many other factors you may be experiencing that indicate your body is ovulating:

• Changes in your cervical mucus becoming more of an “egg white” color and consistency
• Increased sex drive 
• High energy levels
• Changes in your skin 
• Tender breasts
• Light cramping on one side, also called ovulation pain or Mittlesmertz [5]

Remember that every person’s body is unique, so you may experience all or none of these at once, and your ovulation symptoms might also change and shift as your body matures. While it’s not a perfect science, these symptoms together generally indicate that ovulation is happening. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of ovulation.

How long does ovulation bloating last?

Unfortunately, there’s no definitive way to tell just how long bloating will last because it could be influenced by many factors including food and drink, IBS, or hormonal changes. But if you’re fairly certain that your bloating is associated with hormonal changes and ovulation, the bloating may last until your period begins even though ovulation only happens during a short window. This is because the hormonal fluctuations that begin around ovulation continue until your period. The good news is that once your period starts, your bloating and other PMS symptoms should begin to subside.

How can I check if ovulation is causing bloating? 

If you suspect that your bloating is associated with ovulation and you want to track your cycle’s timing to see if this is the case, there are a few ways to figure this out:

• Measure basal body temperature (BBT): This is the name for your lowest resting body temperature. It’s typically taken first thing in the morning, and day over day, you’ll see subtle shifts in your BBT. When progesterone increases in your body directly after ovulation, your BBT will also slightly increase.
• Try cycle tracking apps: Monitoring your cycle and noting changes can be helpful not just for monitoring bloating, but also any other symptoms that may be related to hormonal changes throughout your cycle. Tracking these symptoms over time will allow you to see patterns emerge that can help you understand the association between your cycle and your symptoms.
• Take an ovulation test: Also known as LH tests, these at-home urine sample tests measure the amount of LH in your body, which can indicate if you’re ovulating since LH spikes at that time. You can get these test strips fairly easily at most drug stores.
• Download Natural Cycles: The first FDA Cleared birth control app, Natural Cycles’ algorithm is powered by changes in body temperature. You can also input data from optional ovulation tests. NC° builds a clear picture and can predict and confirm ovulation. This makes it even easier to identify patterns that are unique to you. Plus you can even download a cycle report to share with your healthcare professional. 

Other bloating causes

As we’ve briefly mentioned, your bloating may not be associated with ovulation specifically. A few extra causes to consider include:

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) 
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Constipation
• A dietary allergy or food intolerance
• Endometriosis (this condition is estimated to affect 10% of women worldwide and one of the symptoms is a cyclic bloating of the abdomen known as “endo belly” [5])
• Eating large meals before bed (laying down makes digestion a bit harder for your body)

Any of these, or even a combination of a few of them, can cause excess gas in your stomach and/or extra fluid retention that can lead to bloating [1,6].

4 ways to treat ovulation bloating

No matter what type of bloating you’re dealing with or what the cause is, there are ways to minimize the feelings of bloating and keep your body healthy. 

1. Exercise regularly: Studies have shown that moving your body regularly can help decrease fluid retention and relieve gas [3]. We know that exercising may be the last thing you want to do if your stomach feels bloated, but even a gentle walk or a yoga class can help alleviate the condition.
2. Explore your diet: It’s possible that you’re eating something that’s causing inflammation in your stomach and thus, bloating. Try taking certain foods out of the rotation, especially processed, sugary, spicy, or fatty foods — these are generally harder to digest. If you’re constipated, make sure you’re eating plenty of fiber as well to aid with digestion.
3. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water throughout the day can also help reduce fluid retention (we know this sounds a bit contradictory, but our bodies tend to retain water when we’re not properly hydrated).
4. Stomach massage: You can try gently massaging your stomach from right to left in order to physically aid in the digestion process and release trapped gas.

These changes and treatments should help decrease bloating both in the moment and over time [1,3].

When to talk to a healthcare professional

It's normal for everyone to experience some bloating from time to time. However, if you have persistent bloating that’s getting in the way of your everyday life or if you’re noticing that the bloating might be linked to your cycle, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to assess your symptoms, test for certain conditions, and create a treatment plan that works well for you. 

Some extreme bloating symptoms that should be addressed immediately include feeling bloated for three weeks or more, a lump in your abdomen, or feeling so bloated that it’s difficult to move. If you have any of these symptoms, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible [1].

Use Natural Cycles to understand your body better

For bloating, PMS, ovulation tracking, and beyond, we know there’s a lot to juggle when it comes to understanding your body and its needs. Tracking your symptoms with Natural Cycles can help you get to know your body on a deeper level, allowing you to predict upcoming symptoms (like bloating) and get ahead of them. Natural Cycles also detects ovulation, so you can see if the bloating is linked to your ovulation timing. Plus, as a certified birth control app, you can use Natural Cycles to plan or prevent pregnancy if you’re looking for support in those areas. Learn more about Natural Cycles today.