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Cramping during fertile window. Cramping During Ovulation: Understanding Mittelschmerz, Signs, and Treatment

by alexxlab

What is mittelschmerz and how does it affect women during ovulation. How can you recognize ovulation pain and distinguish it from other types of abdominal discomfort. What are effective ways to manage and treat cramping during the fertile window.

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What is Mittelschmerz? Decoding Ovulation Cramping

Mittelschmerz, a term derived from German meaning “middle pain,” refers to the discomfort or cramping some women experience during ovulation. This phenomenon occurs when the follicle in the ovary ruptures to release an egg. Approximately 20% of women report experiencing some form of ovulation pain, which can range from a mild twinge to more severe cramping lasting several hours.

Dr. Amy Autry, a clinical professor of obstetrics-gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California at San Francisco, explains that the pain is typically felt on one side of the lower abdomen, corresponding to the ovary releasing the egg. While the exact cause of mittelschmerz remains unclear, several theories attempt to explain this phenomenon:

  • Stretching of the ovary surface due to follicle growth
  • Irritation caused by the release of blood and fluid when the follicle ruptures
  • Pain resulting from the egg breaking through the ovary wall

Identifying the Six Key Signs of Ovulation Pain

Distinguishing ovulation pain from menstrual cramps is crucial for understanding your body’s reproductive cycle. Here are the six primary signs of mittelschmerz:

  1. One-sided pain
  2. Sudden onset without warning
  3. Sharp pain, twinge, or cramping (not a dull ache)
  4. Duration ranging from minutes to 24 hours
  5. Potential side-switching from month to month
  6. Occurrence approximately two weeks before menstruation

In addition to these signs, some women may experience mild spotting or vaginal discharge during ovulation. In cases of severe cramping, nausea may also occur. It’s worth noting that mid-cycle pain is most common in adolescents and women in their twenties, though it can persist up to age 45.

The Fertility Window: How Ovulation Pain Can Guide Conception

For women trying to conceive, recognizing ovulation pain can be advantageous. Cramping in the weeks before menstruation signals that ovulation is occurring, indicating a period of high fertility. Dr. Autry advises that the optimal time for conception is right before, during, or immediately after ovulation.

Conversely, women wishing to avoid pregnancy can use this knowledge as a supplementary method to their regular birth control. However, it’s crucial to remember that sperm can survive in the female body for up to five days, so relying solely on ovulation pain for contraception is not recommended.

Tracking Ovulation: Beyond Pain Signals

While ovulation pain can be a helpful indicator, it’s not the only method for tracking your fertile window. Other signs of ovulation include:

  • Changes in cervical mucus
  • Slight increase in basal body temperature
  • Increased libido
  • Breast tenderness
  • Bloating

Combining these observations with ovulation pain tracking can provide a more comprehensive understanding of your menstrual cycle and fertility patterns.

Managing and Treating Mid-Cycle Pain: Effective Strategies

For many women, ovulation pain is mild and brief, requiring no specific treatment. However, for those experiencing more intense or prolonged discomfort, several management strategies can provide relief:

Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can effectively alleviate ovulation pain. These medications work by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals.

Heat Therapy

Applying a heating pad to the affected area or taking a warm bath can help relax tense muscles and ease cramping. Heat increases blood flow, promoting relaxation and pain relief.

Hormonal Contraception

For women experiencing particularly bothersome monthly ovulation pain, hormonal contraception methods (birth control pills, patches, or vaginal rings) can provide relief by preventing ovulation altogether.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Some women find relief through lifestyle changes such as:

  • Regular exercise
  • Stress reduction techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)
  • Dietary modifications (reducing caffeine and alcohol intake)
  • Adequate hydration

When to Seek Medical Attention: Distinguishing Normal from Abnormal Pain

While ovulation pain is typically harmless, certain situations warrant medical evaluation. Dr. Autry emphasizes that extreme pain or discomfort lasting longer than a day should be assessed by a healthcare provider. Conditions such as appendicitis, ovarian cysts, and ectopic pregnancies can sometimes mimic ovulation pain, though they generally present with more severe symptoms.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Severe, persistent abdominal pain
  • Pain accompanied by fever
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness or fainting

A thorough medical examination and diagnostic tests can rule out other potential causes of abdominal pain, ensuring appropriate treatment and peace of mind.

The Hormonal Dance: Understanding the Physiology Behind Ovulation Pain

To fully comprehend ovulation pain, it’s essential to understand the hormonal changes occurring during the menstrual cycle. The process is orchestrated by a complex interplay of hormones, primarily estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH).

The Role of Hormones in Ovulation

As the menstrual cycle progresses, estrogen levels rise, stimulating the growth of follicles in the ovaries. When estrogen reaches a certain threshold, it triggers a surge in LH, which initiates the final maturation and release of the egg. This hormonal surge can cause inflammation and swelling in the ovaries, potentially contributing to the sensation of pain or discomfort during ovulation.

Prostaglandins and Pain Perception

Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances involved in inflammation and pain, may also play a role in ovulation pain. These compounds are released during follicle rupture and can increase sensitivity to pain in the surrounding tissues.

Understanding this hormonal backdrop can help women better interpret their body’s signals and manage ovulation-related discomfort more effectively.

Ovulation Pain and Fertility Tracking: A Natural Family Planning Approach

For women interested in natural family planning methods, ovulation pain can serve as one of several indicators to track fertility. This approach, often referred to as the symptothermal method, combines various fertility awareness techniques to identify the fertile window.

Integrating Ovulation Pain into Fertility Awareness

To use ovulation pain as part of a fertility awareness method:

  • Keep a detailed record of when you experience mid-cycle pain
  • Note the duration and intensity of the discomfort
  • Combine this information with other fertility signs like cervical mucus changes and basal body temperature
  • Look for patterns over several months to predict your most fertile days

It’s important to note that while this method can be effective, it requires consistent tracking and should be used in conjunction with other fertility awareness techniques for optimal accuracy. Consulting with a healthcare provider or fertility specialist can provide personalized guidance on using this method effectively.

Mittelschmerz Across the Lifespan: How Ovulation Pain Changes with Age

The experience of ovulation pain can vary significantly throughout a woman’s reproductive years. Understanding these changes can help women better interpret their body’s signals at different life stages.

Adolescence and Early Adulthood

Mittelschmerz is most commonly reported by adolescents and women in their twenties. This higher prevalence may be due to several factors:

  • Hormonal fluctuations are often more pronounced in younger women
  • The reproductive system is still maturing
  • Increased awareness and tracking of menstrual symptoms

Middle Reproductive Years

As women progress through their thirties, some may notice changes in their experience of ovulation pain:

  • Pain patterns may become more consistent or predictable
  • Some women may experience a decrease in pain intensity
  • Others might notice an increase in discomfort, possibly due to factors like endometriosis or fibroids

Perimenopause and Beyond

As women approach menopause, ovulation becomes less regular, which can affect the experience of mittelschmerz:

  • Ovulation pain may become less frequent or predictable
  • Some women might experience more intense pain during their remaining ovulations
  • Post-menopause, ovulation pain ceases as ovulation no longer occurs

Throughout these life stages, it’s important for women to stay attuned to their bodies and report any significant changes in ovulation pain to their healthcare providers. This awareness can contribute to overall reproductive health and well-being.

Beyond Mittelschmerz: Other Causes of Mid-Cycle Pain

While ovulation pain is a common cause of mid-cycle discomfort, it’s crucial to be aware of other potential sources of abdominal pain. Distinguishing between normal ovulation pain and other conditions is essential for maintaining reproductive health.

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop on the ovaries. While many cysts are harmless and resolve on their own, some can cause pain similar to ovulation discomfort. Signs that pain might be due to an ovarian cyst rather than normal ovulation include:

  • Pain that persists beyond a day or two
  • Severe, sharp pain that comes on suddenly
  • Pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting
  • Fever or chills

Endometriosis

Endometriosis, a condition where uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus, can cause pain throughout the menstrual cycle, including during ovulation. Characteristics of endometriosis pain may include:

  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Infertility

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause pain similar to ovulation discomfort. Additional symptoms of PID may include:

  • Unusual vaginal discharge
  • Fever
  • Pain during urination
  • Irregular menstrual bleeding

Appendicitis

In rare cases, appendicitis can be mistaken for ovulation pain, especially if the appendix is located lower in the abdomen. Signs that pain might be due to appendicitis include:

  • Pain that begins near the navel and moves to the lower right abdomen
  • Pain that worsens with movement
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever

If you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, especially if accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. A healthcare provider can perform the necessary examinations and tests to determine the cause of your pain and recommend appropriate treatment.

Embracing Your Cycle: The Positive Aspects of Ovulation Awareness

While ovulation pain can be uncomfortable, being aware of this natural process can have several benefits for women’s overall health and well-being. Understanding and embracing your menstrual cycle, including ovulation, can lead to:

Improved Body Awareness

Paying attention to ovulation symptoms, including mittelschmerz, can help you become more attuned to your body’s natural rhythms. This increased awareness can be empowering and may help you:

  • Identify potential health issues earlier
  • Make informed decisions about your reproductive health
  • Better understand your energy levels and mood fluctuations throughout your cycle

Enhanced Fertility Knowledge

For women trying to conceive, recognizing ovulation pain can be a valuable tool in identifying your most fertile days. This knowledge can:

  • Increase chances of conception
  • Reduce stress associated with trying to get pregnant
  • Provide a sense of control over the conception process

Improved Contraception Efficacy

For those using natural family planning methods, awareness of ovulation pain can complement other fertility tracking techniques. This can lead to:

  • More effective contraception when trying to avoid pregnancy
  • Reduced reliance on hormonal birth control methods
  • A deeper understanding of your body’s natural cycles

Holistic Health Monitoring

Tracking ovulation pain alongside other health indicators can provide valuable insights into your overall well-being. This comprehensive approach can help you:

  • Identify patterns in your physical and emotional health
  • Make lifestyle adjustments to support your well-being throughout your cycle
  • Communicate more effectively with healthcare providers about your reproductive health

By embracing and understanding your menstrual cycle, including the sometimes uncomfortable aspects like ovulation pain, you can take a more proactive role in your reproductive health. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about your body and well-being, fostering a positive relationship with your natural cycles.

Cramping when Ovulating – Signs, Treatment

Many women experience some cramping when they ovulate — there’s even a term for the pain: mittelschmerz.

By Jan SheehanMedically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Reviewed:

Medically Reviewed

If you have abdominal pain or cramping in the middle of your menstrual cycle, when you’re ovulating, you may be experiencing mittelschmerz, a word derived from the German for “middle” and “pain.”

Mittelschmerz occurs when the follicle — a tiny sac in the ovary that contains an egg — ruptures and releases the egg. This mid-cycle pain and discomfort can range from a minor pinch or twinge that’s over in minutes to more severe cramping that lasts for hours.

“You’ll feel it only on one side of your lower abdomen, depending on which ovary is releasing an egg,” says Amy Autry, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics-gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California at San Francisco.

Some women don’t feel anything when the egg is released from the ovary; others feel cramping a couple of weeks before their menstrual period. Overall, about 20 percent of women experience some type of ovulation pain, according to Dr. Autry.

While it’s unknown exactly why women experience cramping or ovulation pain, several theories exist. Before the egg is released, the follicle grows. This may stretch the surface of the ovary, causing pain. It’s also believed that blood and other fluid is released when the follicle ruptures, causing irritation that disappears as the fluid is reabsorbed. Because the ovaries have no openings, there may be some pain when the egg breaks through the ovary wall.

Six Signs of Ovulation Pain

Ovulation pain differs from menstrual cramps that come on just before or during a woman’s menstrual period. “It’s easy to recognize ovulation pain because it has a number of symptoms that are different from menstrual cramps,” says Autry.

The six signs of ovulation pain are:

  • It’s one-sided.
  • It comes on suddenly and without warning.
  • It’s a sharp pain, twinge, or cramping rather than a dull ache.
  • It often lasts only minutes, but may last a few hours or even up 24 hours.
  • It may switch sides from month to month.
  • It occurs about two weeks before your menstrual period starts.

Mild bleeding (spotting) or vaginal discharge may occur during this time. Some women may also experience nausea, especially if the cramping is severe. Mid-cycle pain is most common in adolescents and women in their twenties, but it can occur all the way up to age 45.

Understanding Your Body’s Signals

Women who experience ovulation pain may actually be at an advantage if they’re trying to get pregnant. Cramping in the weeks before your menstrual period is a sign that you’re ovulating and probably fertile. “You’re most likely to conceive if you have intercourse right before ovulation, on the day of ovulation, or immediately after ovulation,” says Autry.

On the other hand, mid-cycle pain may also help women who would rather not get pregnant. But while avoiding intercourse during times when you feel ovulation pain can be an effective back-up to your regular birth control method, don’t rely on it as your sole method of preventing pregnancy. “Sperm can live up to five days in a woman’s body,” cautions Autry. So you could get pregnant from unprotected sex on the days before you feel mittleschmerz pain.

Preventing and Treating Mid-Cycle Pain

For minor or brief ovulation pain, treatment is usually not necessary. For cramping that lasts more than a few minutes, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) or naproxen (Aleve and others) will usually relieve the discomfort. Applying a heating pad to the site of the abdominal pain or taking a warm bath can also help. Heat increases blood flow, which relaxes tense muscles and eases cramping.

If your mid-cycle abdominal pain happens every month and is particularly bothersome, hormonal contraception (birth control pills, patches, or the vaginal ring) is an option because it prevents ovulation. And without ovulation, you can’t have ovulation pain.

Mid-cycle abdominal pain that is extreme or lasts longer than a day should be evaluated by a doctor. Appendicitis, ovarian cysts, and ectopic (tubal) pregnancy can sometimes mimic ovulation pain, although pain from these conditions is typically much more severe.

A medical exam and diagnostic tests can rule out other causes for abdominal pain. “But in the vast majority of cases, abdominal pain or cramping in the middle of the menstrual cycle simply means that you’re ovulating and the pain will disappear soon,” says Autry.

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Symptoms and what they mean for fertility

Cramps that occur outside of a menstrual period might be a sign that a person is ovulating. Ovulation cramps occur when one of the ovaries releases an egg, which typically happens halfway through a person’s cycle.

Being aware of the symptoms of ovulation may help a person identify when they are most fertile.

In this article, we explore what ovulation cramps feel like and what they mean for fertility. We also look at other symptoms of ovulation and other causes of mid-cycle cramps.

Share on PinterestOvulation cramping begins about halfway through a person’s cycle, rather than right before or during menstruation.

An ovary typically releases an egg about midway through a person’s menstrual cycle. This is ovulation.

For some people, ovulation creates a sensation of cramping or pain once a month on one side of the abdomen. If a person has these cramps every month, the sensation may switch sides from month to month, depending on which ovary releases the egg.

Ovulation cramping may happen before, during, or shortly after the release of an egg.

Not everyone who menstruates has ovulation cramps. According to the University of Florida, about 1 in 5 people who menstruate have cramping around the time of ovulation.

Some people do not experience the cramping every month or do not have the same amount of discomfort every month.

Ovulation cramping may occur if:

  • the follicle where the egg develops stretches the ovary
  • the release of blood and other fluid from the ovary irritates surrounding tissue

The sensation of ovulation cramping can range from mild discomfort to intense pain. It may be difficult to identify the cause of the pain, especially if ovulation cramps do not occur every month.

The primary symptom of ovulation cramping is pain on one side of the abdomen, and this typically lasts 3–12 hours. However, a person who has had ovarian surgery may experience the pain until menstruation.

Below are characteristics of ovulation cramping:

  • pain or cramping on one side of the abdomen
  • pain or cramping that starts midway through the menstrual cycle
  • pain or cramping that switches sides, month by month
  • pain that is sharp and may be severe

Ovulation pain occurs right before, during, or right after the release of an egg, which is also when a female is most likely to become pregnant. As a result, the sensation may help with recognizing fertility.

However, people who do not want to conceive should not use ovulation cramps to determine when it is safe to have unprotected sex — this method is not accurate, the University of California note, and could result in unintended pregnancy.

Some people who menstruate do not experience any discomfort during ovulation.

A person might also recognize that they are ovulating by the following signs:

  • increased cervical mucus
  • breast tenderness
  • spotting or light bleeding
  • increased libido
  • increased basal body temperature

Ovulation cramps occur when one ovary releases an egg. If sperm do not fertilize the egg, the menstrual cycle continues: the egg breaks and the uterus sheds its lining.

If sperm do fertilize the egg, the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. This attaching is called “implantation.”

Implantation can cause cramping. It can also cause a small amount of bleeding or spotting, which can occur 3–14 days after fertilization. Implantation bleeding is typically brownish and the flow is light.

Beyond implantation bleeding and cramping, early pregnancy can cause:

  • nausea
  • a frequent urge to urinate
  • fatigue
  • vomiting

Various health conditions cause abdominal cramps, which may happen to occur in the middle of the menstrual cycle and resemble ovarian cramping.

Some other causes of abdominal cramping or pain include:

  • acute appendicitis, which can present with similar symptoms to ovulation cramps
  • endometriosis, which involves tissue similar to uterine lining tissue growing outside the uterus and affects at least 11% of females in the United States ages 15–44
  • uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in the walls of the uterus and can cause pain, bleeding, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen

Ovulation cramps typically go away on their own. To relieve the pain, the following can often help:

  • over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil)
  • a warm compress or bath
  • hormonal contraceptives that prevent ovulation

If ovulation cramps go away within a few hours, a person usually does not need medical attention.

A person should contact a healthcare provider if they have cramping and:

  • pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
  • unusual vaginal bleeding
  • painful urination
  • vomiting
  • have missed a period

Ovulation cramping is often mild and goes away after a few hours. It can let people who want to conceive know that the time might be right.

However, people who do not want to conceive should not rely on ovulation cramps to indicate fertility. This is not an effective way to time unprotected sex.

If the cramping or pain is intense, a warm bath and over-the-counter pain medication may help. Anyone who experiences severe pain or cramps accompanied by vomiting or unusual bleeding should contact a doctor.

Painful ovulation – normal or disease

Pain in the middle of the cycle, ovulatory syndrome – occurs in every fifth woman.

Mittelschmerz (pain in the middle of the cycle) was described in medical periodicals as early as 1940.

How can ovulatory syndrome manifest itself?

During ovulation, a woman may experience a dull, sudden sharp or cramping pain in the lower abdomen. In this case, pain can be localized on the right or left, depending on which ovary ovulation occurs.

Pain may radiate to the lumbar region, sacrum, or groin and may be aggravated by strenuous exercise, sudden changes in body position, and sexual intercourse. These days, pain may be accompanied (or appear independently) by mild bloody discharge from the genital tract.

In addition, some women experience weakness, rarely nausea and even vomiting.

For some women, pain may accompany every ovulation, for others it may occur occasionally.

The duration of pain can vary from a few minutes to 24 hours, but no more. This is one of the features that distinguishes “ovulatory syndrome is not a disease” from gynecological diseases (endometriosis, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs), manifested by pain.

What causes pain and spotting in the middle of the cycle?

The causes of pain during ovulation are:

  • damage to the ovary wall at the time of ovulation
  • irritation of the inner lining of the abdomen, resulting from the reflux of a small amount of blood from a burst follicle into the pelvic cavity.
  • low pain threshold. Most women are able to easily tolerate unpleasant symptoms, but sometimes hypersensitivity can provoke subjective pain.

Minor spotting is caused by the sudden change in sex hormone levels that accompanies ovulation.

Illness or not and what to do about it?

A natural question arises: “If ovulation is a physiological process, why is it accompanied by pain?”

According to an incomprehensible idea of ​​nature in women, pain often accompanies many physiological (menstruation, childbirth) processes. Pain is associated with participation in events such as menstruation and ovulation of inflammatory substances (cytokines) and spasm of small vessels. The peculiarities of the exchange of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as individual sensitivity to pain, explain the fact that some women do not feel ovulation at all, while others experience significant discomfort during a certain period of their life.

In the case of ovulatory syndrome, the line between the norm and the disease is very thin.

To answer the question of whether pain in the middle of the cycle is a problem requiring treatment, it is necessary to conduct an examination. In this case, ultrasound of the pelvic organs provides valuable information, which allows an experienced specialist to determine with high accuracy the presence or absence of such probable causes of pain as endometriosis, inflammatory tumors of the small pelvis, adhesive disease of the pelvic organs, functional ovarian cysts, tumors, anomalies in the development of the genital organs and other.

According to individual indications, the gynecologist can prescribe microbiological and hormonal tests.

So, if gynecological diseases are excluded, this is ovulatory syndrome.

If the pain associated with ovulation is mild, there is usually no need for treatment.

If the pain associated with ovulation is limiting your activities, your gynecologist will help you find the treatment that is best for you at that time in your life (pain medications and other options).

So, is it necessary to go to the gynecologist in case of periodic or systematic pains in the middle of the cycle? – Definitely YES!

As already mentioned, ovulatory syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion: you need to conduct an examination to make sure that the cause of pain is not a gynecological pathology.

The experience of our specialists shows, especially in severe pain syndrome, a thorough examination using modern ultrasound devices, less often hysteroscopy allows us to identify previously undiagnosed problems: endometriosis, associated or unrelated adhesions in the pelvis, rare anomalies in the development of the genital organs.

Moreover, our experience with women with ovulatory syndrome shows that in the absence of endometriosis, adhesions and other morphological problems, hormonal imbalance is a common cause of pain, the correction of which led to a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients.

Does ovulatory syndrome affect the possibility of getting pregnant?

No evidence that mid-cycle pain impairs fertility or adversely affects pregnancy .

Can ovulation pain be used to determine fertile days?

Only in combination with other signs (changes in cervical mucus, safe days method, basal temperature) and only with a regular menstrual cycle.

If there is no more pain, does this mean that ovulation has stopped?

Not at all if the regular cycle is maintained. Most likely, due to some changes in the body, the pain stopped.

why it occurs, causes, what to do and how to treat

Discomfort in the lower abdomen can haunt a woman not only during menstruation. One in five people experience ovulatory syndrome. This is when discomfort occurs in the middle of the cycle and can be sudden, acute or marked in the form of spasms. Read about why pain occurs during ovulation, how to deal with it, and when to see a doctor.

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Causes of pain

ovulation

To understand the symptoms and causes of their occurrence, it is worthwhile to understand whether the pain during ovulation is typical and what happens to the female body during this period.

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

How does the process of ovulation occur and can the stomach hurt at the same time?

Ovulation is the release of a developed egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube. It does not pass in every menstrual cycle and pain on the days of ovulation is a fairly common occurrence. Attachment of the fetal egg occurs 6-12 days after ovulation. As a rule, only one egg is released from the ovary during one ovulation.

Ovulation can be determined in several ways:

  • using a calendar;
  • using basal temperature charts;
  • a special test from a pharmacy;
  • Ultrasound.

Many women additionally focus on their well-being: during ovulation, many have pain in the lower abdomen. Of course, this sign cannot be considered the main one, it only supplements the data of the calendar, test or ultrasound. Determining the date of ovulation helps to plan the conception of a child, or to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

If fertilization does not occur during ovulation, the egg is absorbed by the lining of the uterus and is later expelled from the body during menstruation. After that, a new egg begins to mature in the ovary.

If the menstrual cycle is stable and lasts 28 days, ovulation will begin on days 10-12. The occurrence of ovulation may be accompanied by mild, less often strong, aching, pulling or dull pains in the lower abdomen. This is not such a rare problem: on women’s forums, questions about unpleasant discomfort arise with frightening regularity. Someone shares that after ovulation, the stomach didn’t hurt at all, and someone has to stock up on analgesics in anticipation of the middle of the cycle.

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Pain during ovulation and other symptoms

During ovulation, the lower abdomen often hurts, depending on the activity of the ovaries: on the left or right side. Sometimes there are sharp mood swings that accompany tearfulness, irritability and irritability. Thus, the body signals that it is ready for conception.

Another typical symptom is discharge from the vulva, which is stretchy and slippery. They have the appearance of raw egg white, usually odorless, do not cause itching and irritation. Their color may change. In medicine, this is called cervical mucus. Discharge does not depend on whether the stomach hurts during ovulation or not.

Attention! If the discharge is accompanied by a pungent odor, burning, pain in the lower abdomen. At the same time, they acquire dark red, green or yellow hues. You need to see a doctor immediately. Such discharges are not normal and may indicate the development of a disease or an inflammatory process. The doctor will determine the cause of their occurrence and prescribe adequate treatment.

A relatively rare symptom is if the chest hurts after ovulation. But it still happens that during this period there are unpleasant sensations in the area of ​​​​the mammary glands, the shade of the nipples changes. This is due to the swelling of the mammary glands. You should not be afraid of this symptom, such an indisposition is acceptable.

How common are ovulation pains and how dangerous are they

Slight pain before and during ovulation is not a dangerous symptom and in most cases does not pose any threat to the body. However, if you have not noticed such a condition before or the discomfort has become much more intense, you should contact a specialist. In these cases, the body may signal the onset of a serious illness. Below we have listed the symptoms that you should definitely pay attention to.

Not all women have pain in the lower abdomen after ovulation. In some cases, pain may radiate to the lower back. And sometimes the release of an egg from the ovary is extremely unpleasant and deprives women of working capacity, sometimes even leads to loss of consciousness.

Why does the stomach hurt before ovulation

The discomfort before the process begins is explained as follows. Pain before ovulation can occur when the vessels at the base of the follicle rupture when the egg is released. A hemorrhage occurs, the uterus begins to contract when fluid from the follicle enters it, which causes pain just below the navel. This is the most common cause for discomfort.

But its appearance can also be an indicator of the development of various diseases. It is better not to self-medicate and you should not delay a visit to the doctor. If you are worried about pain during ovulation in the lower abdomen, you should discuss this issue with a gynecologist.

1. “Middle” pain

Most often, during ovulation, the lower abdomen hurts, and discomfort occurs only on one side, and this side can change in different cycles. Unpleasant sensations last from a few minutes to half an hour, may be accompanied by bloating and mild nausea. In medicine, it is called the German term Mittelschmerz (“middle” pain).

How to get rid of: if the sensations pass and the pain is not too severe, a warm bath and painkiller tablets are sufficient. If your health leaves much to be desired and literally folds you in half, it is better to meet with a doctor and discuss why pain occurs during ovulation. It may be worth discussing the use of low-dose hormonal contraceptives.

2. Polycystic ovaries

In cases where the critical days are long and irregular, and there is a lot of hair on the body, the fact that you have stomach pain after ovulation may signal polycystic ovaries. Complications can be serious, from infertility to cancer, so you should see a doctor.

How to get rid of: after diagnosis, treatment varies, but usually includes a special diet and hormonal medication. If the treatment is chosen correctly, the stomach will no longer hurt after ovulation.

3. Inflammatory diseases of the pelvis

Often pain in the lower abdomen after ovulation is the result of an infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Before or during the process, discomfort in the pelvis is noted, which can even lead to hospitalization.

How to get rid of: most often the doctor prescribes antibiotics, and the infection goes away with pain.

4. Pain after caesarean section

It leaves a scar in any case, and pain can occur in that area during ovulation for a year after childbirth. In this case, the problem is not in the ovary, but in the scar itself, so the nature of the discomfort is different.