Sharp Pains Every Month: What Is Ovulation Pain?

Do you ever have a nagging or sudden ache on one side of your lower abdomen around the time of your period? 

It can be ovulation pain, commonly known as mittelschmerz.

On the same side as the ovary producing an ovum, ovulation pain is experienced in the center of the pelvic or lower abdomen.

This pain is fairly common where women can feel the release of an egg in different degrees of pain!

About 14 days before your period, ovulation occurs when an ovary releases an egg as part of the menstrual cycle.

Mittelschmerz, also known as ovulation, is derived from the German terms for “middle” and “pain,” which typically happens approximately halfway between menstrual cycles.

What causes ovulation pain?

The ovary is where the egg develops with follicular fluid surrounding it. 

The ovary releases the egg, fluid, and a little amount of blood during ovulation. 

The egg’s enlargement in the ovary immediately before ovulation could be the source of ovulation pain.

A ruptured follicle could potentially be the cause of the discomfort. 

When the egg is ready, it erupts from the follicle where some bleeding could occur as a result of the rupture. 

The lining of the abdomen becomes irritated by the blood and fluid from the burst follicle which causes you pain.

This phase of the menstrual cycle is normal.

How to find out if my pain is from ovulation?

The timing of the discomfort makes ovulation simple to identify as it typically takes place two weeks prior to your next period. 

Your doctor could request that you document your menstrual cycles, noting any pain episodes and the location of the discomfort in order to assist you in identifying whether your pain is associated with ovulation.

To help rule out further potential sources of discomfort, like endometriosis or an ovarian cyst, your doctor will do additional testing of your abdomen and undergo a pelvic exam. 

Blood tests, ultrasounds, or X-rays could be requested if your pain is severe or if your doctor observes any anomalies during the examination to assist in identifying the source of your discomfort.

If your discomfort begins less than 14 days before your period or lasts for more than three days, it is likely unrelated to ovulation and you should examine alternative reasons. 

If the pain continues for more than two weeks, then you should make an appointment with your doctor.

What are the symptoms of ovulation pain?

You might have a slight pang of pain or intense discomfort which is only one side ache. 

The discomfort lingers for a short while or for several hours. 

You might also encounter:

• Very little vaginal bleeding
• Vaginal dripping
• Nausea if in severe pain

How to find relief from ovulation pain?

Taking a hot bath or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like paracetamol can typically help to lessen your painful ovulation.

Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are also helpful, but you shouldn’t use them if you’re trying to conceive since they can prevent ovulation.

Ask your doctor about other alternative treatments if you’re experiencing a lot of pain.

Ovulation discomfort can be fully eliminated by birth control techniques that prevent ovulation, such as the contraceptive pill or contraceptive implant.

Treatment is not necessary because the discomfort associated with ovulation often goes away in approximately 24 hours. 

Apply a heating pad or cold packs to your lower abdomen to reduce pain. 

Taking birth control tablets that include mixed estrogen and progesterone, which suppress ovulation provides comfort for you if you are experiencing very painful ovulation.

You don’t need to treat ovulation discomfort because it normally lasts only a few minutes and is minor, although you can take ibuprofen if you’re feeling particularly sore. 

You cannot become pregnant if you use birth control tablets and so if you want to establish a family or expand it, see your doctor.

Should I worry about ovulation pain?

The discomfort of ovulation is not a cause for concern. 

But if your pain is unbearable, consult with your doctor as it could be a symptom of another, more severe disease, such as:

• Endometriosis is an inflammatory disorder that affects the fallopian tubes and ovaries
• Abdominal adhesions generated by abdominal surgery such as a cesarean section (C-section) or other abdominal surgical scar tissue
• STIs like chlamydia, which can cause inflammation and painful ovulation, are examples of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)
• Ovarian cyst is when an ovary develops a fluid-filled sac 
• Ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus, frequently on a fallopian tube
• Appendicitis is when the appendix is inflamed
• Inflammatory bowel illness and other gastrointestinal issues

Ovulation pain is pretty typical and typically mild. But occasionally, it may be a sign of a more serious illness.

How to know whether you’re feeling ovulation pain?

Depending on when your belly pain started, your doctor can help determine that you have mittelschmerz or ovulation pain. 

In the first two weeks of your menstrual cycle, ovulation often occurs. 

And so, ovulation discomfort could be the case if it happens around halfway between cycles.

To keep track of your menstrual cycles, your healthcare provider will ask you to write down the times and locations of your suffering.

You will need to keep an eye out for any health issues and perhaps predict ovulation by keeping track of when, where, how long, and how intense the discomfort your experience around ovulation is.

• Determine the day of ovulation by tracking the timing of your cycle

Several years after you start menstruating, ovulation discomfort usually starts. 

Ovulation discomfort is not typically felt every cycle by individuals who experience it.

• Observe if it is only felt on one side, both sides, or both

Ovulation pain is usually experienced on the side of the ovary that is producing an egg during that cycle, however, it can also occur in the center or on the opposite side.

Ovulation happens alternately in the left and right ovaries for roughly 50% of women, which accounts for some reports that it occurs in opposite directions.

The ovary that ovulates varies depending on the person, although both ovaries typically ovulate equally often.

• Keep track of the duration of your ovulation

Usually, ovulation discomfort lasts between six and twelve hours. 

The majority of people who monitor ovulation pain do so for just one day. 

Some people monitor it for two or more days. 

It is challenging to determine the extent to which other variables, such as endometriosis-related ovulatory discomfort, are at play.

• Follow the sensation or severity of the pain

Ovulation pain or other symptoms are as individual as the person who experiences them.

Some people have characterized it as a feeling of tightness or fullness that is not unpleasant. 

Others have described it as acute, dull, intermittent, and cramp-like. 

Most people have moderate symptoms, while other people have more severe ones.

You can keep track of how you are feeling and determine when or if you should seek medical attention by organizing the specifics of your ovulation discomfort.

When should you contact a doctor?

If you missed your most recent period or experience any of the following symptoms during ovulation, contact your doctor right away:

• Severe discomfort that lasts more than a day or happens most months in the midst of your menstrual cycle
• Pain treatment with over-the-counter pain medications is ineffective
• Period missed
• Heavy menstrual flow in between cycles
• Fever higher than 100.4° Fahrenheit 
• Urination is painful
• Skin that is red or scorching where the discomfort is
• Significant nausea or vomiting

Take away

Ovulation cramps or twinges occur if you have ovulation pain, commonly known as mittelschmerz. 

Other signs of ovulation discomfort include discharge and minor vaginal bleeding. 

Rest and over-the-counter drugs are usually helpful. 

Consult your doctor about choices like birth control tablets if your ovulation discomfort is really bad.

It’s always a good idea to pay attention to your body and let your doctor know if anything seems off or odd.

Ovulation discomfort is typical and not an indication of any particular issue. 

Since many women are unsure of when they ovulate, mittelschmerz is frequently mistaken for other forms of discomfort.

A trip to the doctor can assist in determining the cause and provide confidence to anybody worried that ovulation discomfort might be an indication of a significant issue.