What causes cramping during ovulation. How to recognize mittelschmerz symptoms. When should you seek medical attention for ovulation pain. What are effective treatments for ovulation cramps.

What is Mittelschmerz? Decoding Ovulation Cramping

Mittelschmerz, derived from German words meaning “middle” and “pain,” refers to the cramping or discomfort some women experience during ovulation. This phenomenon occurs when a follicle in the ovary ruptures to release an egg, typically mid-way through the menstrual cycle.

Dr. Amy Autry, a clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, explains that this pain is localized: “You’ll feel it only on one side of your lower abdomen, depending on which ovary is releasing an egg.” While some women may not notice any sensation during ovulation, others might experience cramping up to two weeks before their menstrual period.

How Common is Ovulation Pain?

Approximately 20% of women report experiencing some form of ovulation pain. The intensity and duration can vary significantly among individuals, ranging from a brief, minor twinge to more severe cramping lasting several hours.

The Science Behind Ovulation Cramps: Theories and Explanations

While the exact cause of mittelschmerz remains unclear, several theories attempt to explain this phenomenon:

• Follicle growth: As the follicle expands, it may stretch the ovary’s surface, potentially causing discomfort.
• Fluid release: The rupture of the follicle releases blood and other fluids, which may irritate surrounding tissues until reabsorption occurs.
• Ovary wall rupture: Since ovaries lack natural openings, the egg breaking through the ovary wall might cause momentary pain.

Recognizing Ovulation Pain: 6 Key Signs of Mittelschmerz

Distinguishing ovulation pain from menstrual cramps is crucial for understanding your body’s cycles. Dr. Autry highlights six characteristic signs of mittelschmerz:

1. One-sided pain
2. Sudden onset without warning
3. Sharp pain, twinge, or cramping (not a dull ache)
4. Brief duration, typically minutes to hours (rarely up to 24 hours)
5. Possible alternation between sides from month to month
6. Occurrence approximately two weeks before menstruation

Additional symptoms may include mild spotting or vaginal discharge. Some women, particularly those experiencing severe cramping, might also feel nauseous.

Who is Most Likely to Experience Ovulation Pain?

Mittelschmerz is most prevalent among adolescents and women in their twenties. However, it can occur in women up to age 45, spanning the entire reproductive years.

Fertility and Ovulation Pain: A Double-Edged Sword

Experiencing ovulation pain can be both advantageous and challenging, depending on your reproductive goals.

Advantage for Conception

For women trying to conceive, ovulation pain can serve as a natural fertility indicator. Dr. Autry advises, “You’re most likely to conceive if you have intercourse right before ovulation, on the day of ovulation, or immediately after ovulation.” This knowledge allows couples to time intercourse more effectively for optimal chances of pregnancy.

Natural Birth Control Aid

Conversely, women wishing to avoid pregnancy can use ovulation pain as an additional indicator to supplement their regular birth control methods. However, Dr. Autry cautions against relying solely on this method: “Sperm can live up to five days in a woman’s body.” This means conception is possible from unprotected intercourse several days before ovulation pain occurs.

Managing Mittelschmerz: Treatment Options for Ovulation Cramps

The approach to treating ovulation pain depends on its severity and duration. Here are some strategies to alleviate discomfort:

For Minor or Brief Pain

• Wait it out: Often, no treatment is necessary for short-lived, mild cramping.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can effectively manage discomfort.
• Heat therapy: Applying a heating pad to the abdomen or taking a warm bath can increase blood flow, relax muscles, and ease cramping.

For Persistent or Severe Pain

If ovulation pain occurs monthly and significantly impacts your quality of life, hormonal contraception (birth control pills, patches, or vaginal rings) may be an option. These methods prevent ovulation, thereby eliminating ovulation-related pain.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Red Flags for Ovulation Pain

While most cases of mittelschmerz are benign, certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Extreme abdominal pain
• Pain lasting longer than 24 hours
• Symptoms mimicking appendicitis, ovarian cysts, or ectopic pregnancy

A thorough medical examination and diagnostic tests can rule out more serious conditions. Dr. Autry reassures, “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.”

Tracking Ovulation Pain: A Window into Your Reproductive Health

Monitoring your ovulation pain can provide valuable insights into your menstrual cycle and overall reproductive health. Consider these tracking methods:

• Keep a menstrual calendar: Note the dates and intensity of ovulation pain.
• Use ovulation predictor kits: Combine with pain tracking for a more comprehensive understanding.
• Track basal body temperature: This can confirm ovulation and correlate with pain symptoms.
• Monitor cervical mucus changes: Observe how these align with ovulation pain.

By consistently tracking these factors, you can better predict your fertile window and understand your body’s unique patterns.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Minimize Ovulation Discomfort

While ovulation pain can’t always be prevented, certain lifestyle changes may help reduce its impact:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body fat can influence hormone levels and potentially exacerbate ovulation pain.
• Stay hydrated: Proper hydration may help reduce bloating and cramping.
• Exercise regularly: Moderate physical activity can improve circulation and potentially alleviate pain.
• Manage stress: High stress levels can affect hormone balance and potentially intensify ovulation symptoms.
• Consider dietary changes: Some women find relief by reducing inflammatory foods or increasing omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Can Supplements Help with Ovulation Pain?

While scientific evidence is limited, some women report benefits from certain supplements:

• Magnesium: May help reduce muscle tension and cramps.
• Vitamin B6: Could potentially help balance hormones.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: May have anti-inflammatory effects.

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, as they can interact with medications or have unintended side effects.

Ovulation Pain and Fertility Treatments: What to Expect

For women undergoing fertility treatments, ovulation pain may present differently:

During Ovulation Induction

Medications used to stimulate ovulation, such as Clomid or gonadotropins, may intensify ovulation pain. This is due to the increased number of follicles developing and releasing eggs.

After IVF Egg Retrieval

Women may experience cramping similar to ovulation pain following egg retrieval procedures. This discomfort is typically short-lived but can be more intense than natural ovulation pain.

If you’re undergoing fertility treatments and experiencing severe or prolonged pain, always consult your reproductive endocrinologist promptly.

Differentiating Ovulation Pain from Other Abdominal Discomfort

While mittelschmerz has distinct characteristics, it’s crucial to distinguish it from other sources of abdominal pain. Here’s a comparison:

Ovulation Pain vs. Menstrual Cramps

• Timing: Ovulation pain occurs mid-cycle, while menstrual cramps happen just before or during menstruation.
• Location: Ovulation pain is typically one-sided, whereas menstrual cramps often affect the lower abdomen more generally.
• Duration: Mittelschmerz usually lasts hours, while menstrual cramps can persist for days.

Ovulation Pain vs. Appendicitis

• Intensity: Appendicitis pain is typically more severe and worsens over time.
• Associated symptoms: Appendicitis often includes fever, nausea, and loss of appetite.
• Location: While both can cause right-sided pain, appendicitis pain often starts near the navel and moves to the lower right abdomen.

Ovulation Pain vs. Ovarian Cysts

• Persistence: Ovarian cyst pain may be more constant and last longer than typical ovulation pain.
• Severity: Large or ruptured cysts can cause more intense pain than mittelschmerz.
• Additional symptoms: Ovarian cysts might cause bloating, fullness, or pressure in the abdomen.

If you’re unsure about the source of your abdominal pain or if it’s accompanied by severe symptoms, seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Embracing Your Body’s Signals: The Positive Aspects of Ovulation Awareness

While ovulation pain can be uncomfortable, recognizing and understanding this natural process offers several benefits:

• Increased body awareness: Paying attention to ovulation symptoms helps you become more in tune with your menstrual cycle.
• Fertility insights: For those trying to conceive, ovulation pain can serve as a natural fertility indicator.
• Health monitoring: Changes in ovulation patterns or pain can alert you to potential reproductive health issues.
• Empowerment: Understanding your body’s rhythms can lead to more informed decisions about your reproductive health.

By viewing ovulation pain as a source of information rather than merely a discomfort, you can gain valuable insights into your reproductive health and overall well-being.

The Future of Ovulation Pain Research: Emerging Studies and Potential Breakthroughs

As medical understanding of reproductive health continues to evolve, researchers are exploring new avenues related to ovulation pain:

Genetic Factors

Scientists are investigating whether genetic predisposition plays a role in who experiences mittelschmerz and its severity. This research could lead to more personalized approaches to managing ovulation discomfort.

Hormonal Influences

Studies are delving deeper into the complex interplay of hormones during ovulation, aiming to uncover how these fluctuations might contribute to pain sensations.

Advanced Imaging Techniques

New imaging technologies may provide clearer insights into the physical processes occurring during ovulation, potentially revealing the exact mechanisms behind mittelschmerz.

Novel Treatment Approaches

Researchers are exploring innovative pain management strategies, including targeted medications and non-pharmacological interventions, to provide more effective relief for those experiencing severe ovulation pain.

As these areas of research progress, women may gain access to more tailored and effective methods for understanding and managing ovulation-related discomfort.

Conclusion: Embracing Your Reproductive Health Journey

Understanding ovulation pain, or mittelschmerz, is an important aspect of women’s reproductive health. While it can be uncomfortable, this mid-cycle cramping often serves as a valuable indicator of fertility and overall reproductive function. By recognizing the signs, understanding treatment options, and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can effectively manage ovulation pain and use this knowledge to your advantage.

Remember that every woman’s experience with ovulation is unique. What’s normal for one person may differ for another. Always consult with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about your menstrual cycle or reproductive health. By staying informed and attentive to your body’s signals, you can navigate your reproductive journey with confidence and empowerment.

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: February 17, 2010

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.