Ovulation pain – Better Health Channel

Ovulation is a phase of the female menstrual cycle that involves the release of an egg (ovum) from one of the ovaries. For most women, ovulation occurs about once every month until menopause, apart from when they are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

About one in five women experience pain and discomfort during ovulation. The duration of the pain varies from one woman to the next, but ranges from a few minutes to 48 hours. 

In most cases, ovulation pain doesn’t mean that anything is wrong. However, severe pain may sometimes be symptomatic of gynaecological conditions including endometriosis. 

See your doctor if your ovulation pain lasts longer than three days or is associated with other unusual menstrual symptoms, such as heavy bleeding. Ovulation pain is also known as mid-cycle pain and mittelschmerz (German for ‘middle pain’).

Symptoms of ovulation pain

The symptoms of ovulation pain can include: 

• pain in the lower abdomen, just inside the hip bone
• pain typically occurring about two weeks before the menstrual period is due
• pain felt on the right or left side, depending on which ovary is releasing an egg
• pain that may switch from one side to the other from one cycle to the next, or remain on one side for a few cycles
• a pain sensation that can vary between individuals – for example, it could feel like uncomfortable pressure, twinges, sharp pains or cramps.
• pain that lasts any length of time from minutes to 48 hours.

Possible causes of ovulation pain

The exact cause of ovulation pain is not clear, but theories include: 

• emerging follicle – hormones prompt the ovaries to produce around 20 follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg (ovum) but only one follicle usually survives to maturity. It is supposed that ovulation pain is caused by the expanding follicle stretching the membrane of the ovary
• ruptured follicle – when the egg is mature, it bursts from the follicle. This may cause slight bleeding. The peritoneum (abdominal lining) could be irritated by the blood or fluids from the ruptured follicle, and this may trigger the pain.

Ovulation pain and underlying medical problems

In most cases, ovulation pain is harmless. However, severe and prolonged ovulation pain, or other pains felt in the lower abdomen, can be symptomatic of various medical conditions including: 

• salpingitis – inflammation of the fallopian tubes following an infection
• chronic pelvic inflammatory disease – inflammation following an infection
• endometriosis – the lining of the womb (endometrium) grows in other locations, such as the bowel. Other symptoms include painful periods and painful sex
• ovarian cyst – an abnormal pocket of fluid that develops on the ovary
• ectopic pregnancy – a pregnancy that develops outside of the womb, most commonly in one of the fallopian tubes. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Seek urgent medical help
• appendicitis – inflammation of the appendix can sometimes be confused with ovulation pain. Seek urgent medical help if the pain is on the right side of your abdomen and you are experiencing nausea and vomiting
• other gastrointestinal problems – lower abdominal pain can be symptomatic of a range of gastrointestinal problems, including perforated ulcer, gastroenteritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Diagnosis of ovulation pain

Tests that help determine whether ovulation pain is harmless or caused by infection or disease may include: 

• medical history
• physical examination, including an internal pelvic examination
• blood tests
• cervical cultures
• abdominal ultrasound
• vaginal ultrasound
• exploratory surgery (laparoscopy or ‘keyhole’ surgery).

Ovulation pain – taking care of yourself

Consult with your doctor to make sure that your ovulation pain isn’t caused by any underlying medical problem. Suggestions on taking care of benign ovulation pain yourself include: 

• Try to relax. If the pain is particularly bothersome, rest in bed whenever you can.
• Use pain-relieving medication.
• Apply warmth to your lower abdomen. Use heat packs, hot water bottles or warm baths.
• Take anti-inflammatory medication. See your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations.
• The pill and other forms of hormonal contraceptive can prevent ovulation pain because they stop ovulation. Talk over this option with your doctor.
• See your doctor if you experience ovulation pain that lasts longer than three days, or if you have other symptoms such as heavy bleeding or discharge.

Ovulation pain and family planning

Chances of conception are high if a couple have sex in the days before, during and after ovulation. Some women rely on ovulation pain to help them plan a pregnancy. 

However, if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy it is unwise to rely on ovulation pain alone. Always use other methods of contraception.

Where to get help

Ovulation pain – Better Health Channel

Ovulation is a phase of the female menstrual cycle that involves the release of an egg (ovum) from one of the ovaries. For most women, ovulation occurs about once every month until menopause, apart from when they are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

About one in five women experience pain and discomfort during ovulation. The duration of the pain varies from one woman to the next, but ranges from a few minutes to 48 hours. 

In most cases, ovulation pain doesn’t mean that anything is wrong. However, severe pain may sometimes be symptomatic of gynaecological conditions including endometriosis. 

See your doctor if your ovulation pain lasts longer than three days or is associated with other unusual menstrual symptoms, such as heavy bleeding. Ovulation pain is also known as mid-cycle pain and mittelschmerz (German for ‘middle pain’).

Symptoms of ovulation pain

The symptoms of ovulation pain can include: 

• pain in the lower abdomen, just inside the hip bone
• pain typically occurring about two weeks before the menstrual period is due
• pain felt on the right or left side, depending on which ovary is releasing an egg
• pain that may switch from one side to the other from one cycle to the next, or remain on one side for a few cycles
• a pain sensation that can vary between individuals – for example, it could feel like uncomfortable pressure, twinges, sharp pains or cramps.
• pain that lasts any length of time from minutes to 48 hours.

Possible causes of ovulation pain

The exact cause of ovulation pain is not clear, but theories include: 

• emerging follicle – hormones prompt the ovaries to produce around 20 follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg (ovum) but only one follicle usually survives to maturity. It is supposed that ovulation pain is caused by the expanding follicle stretching the membrane of the ovary
• ruptured follicle – when the egg is mature, it bursts from the follicle. This may cause slight bleeding. The peritoneum (abdominal lining) could be irritated by the blood or fluids from the ruptured follicle, and this may trigger the pain.

Ovulation pain and underlying medical problems

In most cases, ovulation pain is harmless. However, severe and prolonged ovulation pain, or other pains felt in the lower abdomen, can be symptomatic of various medical conditions including: 

• salpingitis – inflammation of the fallopian tubes following an infection
• chronic pelvic inflammatory disease – inflammation following an infection
• endometriosis – the lining of the womb (endometrium) grows in other locations, such as the bowel. Other symptoms include painful periods and painful sex
• ovarian cyst – an abnormal pocket of fluid that develops on the ovary
• ectopic pregnancy – a pregnancy that develops outside of the womb, most commonly in one of the fallopian tubes. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Seek urgent medical help
• appendicitis – inflammation of the appendix can sometimes be confused with ovulation pain. Seek urgent medical help if the pain is on the right side of your abdomen and you are experiencing nausea and vomiting
• other gastrointestinal problems – lower abdominal pain can be symptomatic of a range of gastrointestinal problems, including perforated ulcer, gastroenteritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Diagnosis of ovulation pain

Tests that help determine whether ovulation pain is harmless or caused by infection or disease may include: 

• medical history
• physical examination, including an internal pelvic examination
• blood tests
• cervical cultures
• abdominal ultrasound
• vaginal ultrasound
• exploratory surgery (laparoscopy or ‘keyhole’ surgery).

Ovulation pain – taking care of yourself

Consult with your doctor to make sure that your ovulation pain isn’t caused by any underlying medical problem. Suggestions on taking care of benign ovulation pain yourself include: 

• Try to relax. If the pain is particularly bothersome, rest in bed whenever you can.
• Use pain-relieving medication.
• Apply warmth to your lower abdomen. Use heat packs, hot water bottles or warm baths.
• Take anti-inflammatory medication. See your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations.
• The pill and other forms of hormonal contraceptive can prevent ovulation pain because they stop ovulation. Talk over this option with your doctor.
• See your doctor if you experience ovulation pain that lasts longer than three days, or if you have other symptoms such as heavy bleeding or discharge.

Ovulation pain and family planning

Chances of conception are high if a couple have sex in the days before, during and after ovulation. Some women rely on ovulation pain to help them plan a pregnancy. 

However, if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy it is unwise to rely on ovulation pain alone. Always use other methods of contraception.

Where to get help

Symptoms and when to see a doctor

A minority of people experience a sudden, sharp pain when they ovulate. Also known as mittelschmerz pain, it does not mean that something is wrong. However, it is easy to mistake other abdominal pain for ovulation pain, so anyone experiencing any pelvic pain symptoms should see a doctor.

Ovulation occurs when a follicle in an ovary ruptures, releasing an egg. The egg eventually travels down the fallopian tubes to the uterus.

Most researchers think mittelschmertz pain is due to the swelling or rupturing of the follicle. The pain can last anything from a few hours to a few days.

A 2013 study of 55 women found that 35 percent felt pain in the middle of their cycle, with 16.6 percent of them experiencing pain on one side of the body.

Doctors do not know why some people experience ovulation pain, and some do not, but there is no evidence that it is a sign of a serious problem.

Pelvic pain is common. A 2014 review of previous research found that between 5.7 and 26.6 percent of women worldwide have chronic pelvic pain.

It can be hard to tell the difference between ovulation pain and other types of pain, especially if people do not track their menstrual cycles or know when ovulation is happening.

Some symptoms of ovulation pain include:

• sudden pain, not pain that gets worse over several days or hours
• pain that appears in the middle of a cycle
• pain on only one side of the body

The pain may be sharp or dull. It may feel like a stabbing sensation or cramp. Mittelschmerz is not typically severe enough to cause alarm. The pain usually occurs on its own; if it happens alongside other symptoms, however, it probably has another cause.

Signs that the pain might be due to something other than ovulation include:

• pain on both sides of the body
• pain that gets steadily worse
• pain that lasts several days
• pain with vaginal bleeding
• pain following an injury
• swelling or bloating
• vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
• painful urination

Many other conditions can cause pelvic pain, including pelvic pain around the time ovulation. Some of the most common causes include:

Pelvic relaxation syndromes

Pelvic relaxation syndromes, which are common in those who have given birth and in older women, happen when muscles in the pelvis weaken. They cause chronic pain that may also result in back or stomach pain.

Urinary disorders

A urinary tract infection can affect the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. It can make urination very painful, cause blood in the urine, and also cause fevers and back pain.

Pain in the lower stomach, especially if the pain occurs with urinary pain, may mean there is a urinary tract infection.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that causes the tissue that lines the uterus to occur in other areas of the body. It causes chronic pelvic pain at the place where the endometrial tissue has developed.

Many people with endometriosis experience intense menstrual cramps or very heavy periods. Others have pain throughout their cycle or very irregular periods.

Menstrual cramps

Cramping right before or during a period is not ovulation pain.

Many women experience menstrual cramps. If the pain is mild and does not interfere with daily tasks, there is probably no need for concern and treatment is not usually necessary.

However, intense pain or pain that has gotten steadily worse with each period requires the attention of a doctor.

Constipation

Constipation can cause a range of painful or unusual sensations in the stomach or pelvis.

A person who has not had a bowel movement in several days, or who has strained to have a bowel movement, may have constipation.

Chronic constipation may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes infected. It can be very dangerous without treatment. The pain usually starts in the middle of the stomach and may come and go. Typically, the pain travels to the lower right side of the abdomen over several hours and becomes very intense.

Anyone who suspects they may have appendicitis should see a doctor immediately.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus.

An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue. If a doctor does not remove the fertilized egg, the fallopian tube could rupture, which may have a severe impact on fertility or even be fatal.

Pain on one side of the body late in the cycle, especially if a period is late, could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. If the pain gets worse over several days or fever develops, see a doctor immediately.

Ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion

Most ovarian cysts go away on their own. Sometimes, however, they rupture or damage the ovary.

An ovarian torsion happens when the ovary twists around the fallopian tube. It can cause dangerous bleeding and possibly cause the ovary to die.

A ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion is a medical emergency. The pain is intense and unrelenting and can happen at any time during the menstrual cycle.

Gastrointestinal problems

Share on PinterestGastrointestinal problems or urinary tract infections can cause stomach pains.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between stomach and pelvic pain.

Many stomach and intestinal problems can cause pain, including pain on one side of the body. Problems with the pancreas or liver often cause pain in the upper right stomach.

Other gastrointestinal problems, such as diverticulitis, an infection, or another serious problem with the intestines, can also cause stomach pain.

Many people also develop other symptoms alongside pain, such as:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• bloating
• changes in the color of the stool

Ovulation pain – NHS

Some women get a one-sided pain in their lower abdomen when they ovulate.

It happens about 14 days before your period, when an ovary releases an egg as part of the menstrual cycle.

It’s also known as mittelschmerz (German for “middle pain” or “pain in the middle of the month”).

Ovulation pain is often normal and just another side effect linked with periods.

Symptoms of ovulation pain

The pain can be a dull cramp or a sharp and sudden twinge.

It’s usually on either the left- or right-hand side of your tummy depending on which ovary is releasing the egg.

It can last just a few minutes or continue for a day or 2. Some women notice a little vaginal bleeding when it happens.

When to see your doctor

See your GP if the pain is severe or you’re worried.

It’s a good idea to keep a diary before your visit. Let the doctor know exactly when during your menstrual cycle the pain comes on and how long it lasts.

Treatments for painful ovulation

Painful ovulation can usually be eased by simple remedies like soaking in a hot bath or taking an over-the-counter painkiller, such as paracetamol.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen may also help, but you should not take them if you’re trying to get pregnant as they can interfere with ovulation.

If you’re in a lot of discomfort, talk to your GP about other treatment options.

Birth control methods that stop ovulation, such as the contraceptive pill or contraceptive implant, can completely banish ovulation pain.

Is ovulation pain anything to worry about?

Painful ovulation is fairly common and usually harmless. But it can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

Some of the underlying causes can result in fertility problems that can prevent you getting pregnant:

• endometriosis – an inflammatory disease that affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes that can also cause pain during ovulation
• scar tissue – if you’ve had surgery (for example, a caesarean section or your appendix out), scar tissue can cause ovulation pain by restricting the ovaries and surrounding structures
• sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – STIs like chlamydia can cause inflammation and scarring around the fallopian tubes, leading to ovulation pain

Why does ovulation pain happen?

Nobody is sure, but one theory is that ovulation pain is the egg breaking through the ovary wall, which releases a small amount of fluid (or sometimes a small amount of blood) that irritates nearby nerves.

Page last reviewed: 02 August 2019
Next review due: 02 August 2022

Is It Normal to Experience Ovulation Pain?

Up to 50% of women will experience ovulation pain at least once in their lives. Some women—about 20%—get ovulation cramps every month. Generally speaking, this is normal.

Severe pain, however, is not. Intense or prolonged pelvic pain may be a symptom of endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. If the pain prevents you from having sex or going about your daily life, this is also not normal.

Sometimes, the aches you experience have nothing to do with ovulation. What could be causing ovulation pain in these cases?

Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell

What is Ovulation Pain?

Another term for ovulation pain is mittelschmerz. This is German for “middle pain.”

Ovulation pain doesn’t necessarily occur at the exact moment the egg is released from the ovary. It may occur a few days before or after ovulation. 

What Does Ovulation Pain Feel Like?

Most experience a dull, achy feeling that lasts for a few hours or even over a couple of days. Other women experience a sudden, sharp pain, lasting just a moment.

Though the pain is typically mild, it has been known to land some women in the emergency room for suspected appendicitis—though such a severe reaction is rare.

You may notice that the pain is more frequent on one side versus the other. While you may have been taught that the ovaries “take turns ovulating,” this isn’t true. It’s normal for one side to ovulate more often than the other.

What Causes Ovulation Pain?

No one is sure what causes ovulation pain, but there are a few theories.

• Swelling or rupturing of a follicle on the ovary. This releases some extra fluid, which may lead to a dull ache.
• The egg itself, bursting out of the follicle can cause the sharp, sudden pain some women feel.
• Spasms of the fallopian tubes or uterus as ovulation approaches.

What Causes Severe Ovulation Pain?

Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain at any time, but it can be quite severe during your menstrual cycle and near ovulation. Some women with endometriosis experience such bad pain before and during ovulation that they can’t have sex comfortably, which makes timing sex for pregnancy difficult.

Endometriosis isn’t the only possible cause of abnormal cramping around ovulation, though. For example:

• Infection of the fallopian tubes can lead to intense ovulation pain
• Fibroids and ovarian cysts can cause mid-cycle aches
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which usually occurs in women taking some fertility drugs, can cause severe pelvic pain

Ovulation Pain and Pregnancy Planning

Some research suggests that ovulation pain can actually signal ovulation. One study found that it came on the same day that the luteinizing hormone (LH) peaked. LH is the hormone detected by ovulation predictor kits. It peaks during your most fertile time, just before you ovulate.

However, another study used ultrasound technology to connect mid-cycle cramps to actual ovulation and discovered that ovulation occurred a couple of days after women reported the side pain. This would make ovulation pain a less than ideal way to time sex for pregnancy since you need to have sex before and not after ovulation.

Although it could be a symptom indicating ovulation is imminent, it’s probably best not to rely on ovulation pain as a primary way to detect your fertile window.

Ovulation Pain vs. Implantation Cramps

Some women report cramps during the time of embryo implantation. Embryo implantation takes place a few days to a week after ovulation, so it is not the same as ovulation pain.

Certainly, women feeling cramps are experiencing real pain, but whether this pain is embryo implantation, ovulation, or something else is difficult to discern.

How to Treat Ovulation Pain?

Some women will only have ovulation pain in a quick, burst of sharp pain. It hurts! But then it’s gone. Other women, however, may experience longer-lasting discomfort.

The first thing most people think of doing when they have pain is to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. That is one option for ovulation pain.

However, some small studies have found a possible connection between common pain relievers and an increased time to pregnancy, specifically with naproxen and ibuprofen. Other studies have found no such connection.

It’s also difficult in these studies to separate causes of pain that can also impact fertility. For example, endometriosis can cause pain—including pain around the time of ovulation—and infertility. Women with endometriosis are much more likely to take pain relievers. But how can we know if it’s the endometriosis or the medication that is delaying pregnancy? It’s very unclear.

If you want to take a pain reliever, acetaminophen has the least evidence of any effect on fertility.

If you want to avoid taking any pain relievers while trying to conceive, remedies that are good for menstrual cramps can help with ovulation pain. Consider a warm bath, rest, or a heating pad.

When to Call Your Doctor

It’s tempting to just hope that pain will go away, but severe pain—at any time of the month—should be checked out. You should contact your doctor right away if:

• Your pain is severe
• You’re vomiting or having severe diarrhea
• You’re having trouble breathing

You may be confusing “ovulation pain” for something more serious like appendicitis or other abdominal issues. The trip to the doctor may seem like a hassle, but it’s well worth it.

A Word From Verywell

Ovulation pain can be normal. However, if your ovulation pain is not especially severe but interferes with your daily life or causes pain during sexual intercourse, you should make an appointment with your doctor as well. He can help you pinpoint a cause and offer solutions to improve your relationships and day-to-day quality of life.

Symptoms, How Common It is, and Why It Happens

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Have you ever noticed a twinge or ache on one side of your lower abdomen? Did it happen a couple of weeks before your period? It could be ovulation.

Ovulation pain, sometimes called mittelschmerz, can feel like a sharp, or like a dull cramp, and happens on the side of the abdomen where the ovary is releasing an egg (1–3). It generally happens 10-16 days before the start of your period, is not dangerous, and is usually mild. It generally lasts a few hours, and for some people can last a few days.

Tracking ovulation pain in the Clue app can help you determine when to expect it.

Clue’s research finds that 1 in 3 people regularly track ovulation pain.

Ongoing research by Clue collaborator Ruben Arslan at the Max Planck Institute has found that about 1 in 3 people—36% to be exact—regularly track ovulation pain in Clue. (This is of Clue users not taking hormonal birth control who track relatively consistently).

Other interesting findings about ovulation pain:

• People will often not feel it in every cycle. This is similar to what’s been found in other small-sample research.

• People who track ovulation pain often reported in about half of their cycles. Others report it in every cycle.

• Most people track ovulation pain for just one day per cycle, but some track it for two or more.

Download Clue to track ovulation pain.

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Can ovulation pain help predict the timing of ovulation?

Statistically, the timing of ovulation pain tracked in Clue seems to be fairly promising as a predictor of ovulation. This doesn’t mean you should incorporate it into your fertility awareness method just yet—but it’s interesting for researchers.

In alignment with previous research that used ultrasounds to determine the day someone ovulated, people in Clue most often tracked ovulation pain on the day just before an estimated ovulation. This may be an additional finding to support one theory of why ovulation pain happens—follicular growth pressure (we describe this below). But more research is needed to know for sure.

Others track ovulation pain on the same day as their estimated ovulation in Clue, or outside of that window altogether. The timing of ovulation is estimated by luteinizing hormone (LH) tests, or retroactively by the date of the start of the next period. Both these methods can be inexact (ultrasound is considered the gold standard).

This is the largest dataset of recorded ovulation pain to be included in research, ever.

Seeing what aligns with or differs from small-sample studies is a novel and exciting endeavor that will help pave the way for future findings. Thanks to all Clue users who contribute to this research through tracking.

How to treat ovulation pain

There are no official treatment recommendations for ovulation pain, and for most people it’s not painful enough or too short-lived to bother with pain treatment.

If that’s not the case for you, an over-the-counter pain medication might help. A hot compress or a bath may also help relieve the pain for some people. If the pain is severe enough, talk to your healthcare provider. Hormonal medications are sometimes used to stop ovulation if other methods haven’t worked and the pain is getting in the way of someone’s day-to-day life.

What causes ovulation pain?

Researchers still don’t know exactly what causes ovulation pain. Attempts to answer this question in medical literature date back to the mid-1800s. Over a century later, the answer is still unclear.

Here are some theories for the cause.

Tension of a growing follicle on the ovary, and the inflammatory response that tension creates (4).

Follicles are sacs that contain your eggs. They typically grow to be about two centimeters in diameter before they’re released into the fallopian tube (5–8). Prostaglandins (the same inflammatory compounds involved in menstruation) are produced as the ovarian muscle contracts around the growing follicle, possibly causing pain.

Research that used ultrasounds to determine the timing of ovulation found that ovulation pain was typically felt around the time of the luteinizing hormone (LH) peak, about 24-48 hours before ovulation (4). The pain came and went before the follicle ruptured. This has been challenged in other studies.

The release of the egg itself is also an inflammatory event, but it’s not considered as a probable source of ovulation pain. Prostaglandins may help facilitate the release of the egg as the follicle’s tissue breaks down so the egg can pass (9). Research has found that taking high doses of anti-inflammatory pain medication leading up to ovulation may actually prevent it from occurring (10).

Irritation of the abdominal cavity from the follicle’s blood when it ruptures to release the egg (1).

Ultrasound evidence in one study found that in 2 in 3 cycles, 5ml of fluid was visible in the abdomen. These cycles were more likely to be associated with ovulation pain. The “fluid” is suspected to be blood, and is released when the follicle releases an egg. They found this fluid could be seen for up to two days after ovulation (1).

There was also a theory that cramps in the uterus, fallopian tubes, or large bowel caused the pain (4), but this has been largely disregarded.

How to know whether you’re feeling ovulation pain

1. Track the timing of it with your cycle

Some people feel ovulation pain for the first time when they first begin menstruating. For others it begins later in life, but is most common in people under the age of 30 (3).

For some people, ovulation pain happens around the same time each cycle (when it does happen). For others, it’s more irregular. This depends on the regularity of ovulation. The pain is typically reported just before ovulation occurs.

For some people, ovulation pain is also accompanied by ovulation bleeding (3).

2. Track whether you feel it on the left side, right side, or both

Ovulation pain is typically felt on the side of the ovary that is releasing an egg that cycle.

For about half of women, ovulation alternates between the left and right ovary (11), which may explain why some people report that it alternates from side to side (3).

In the other half, ovulation side is more random, meaning it doesn’t just go back and forth between. Even so, each ovary usually ends up ovulating just as much as the other overall (11).

Most people feel the pain on one side or the other, but others have reported feeling it on both sides at the same time, but with more pain on one side than the other (12). People have also reported equal ovulation pain on both sides in some cycles, possibly indicating cycles in which each ovary releases its own egg.

Some people might only ever feel pain on one side or another, since it’s possible that only one ovary is a source of pain. One early (read: macabre, cringeworthy) study found that the pain was sometimes resolved in early treatments where a single ovary was surgically removed (3). A theory is that some people may have adhesions on only one of two ovaries (2). Adhesions could restrict the follicles or ovary somehow, and pain is felt when the LH spike occurs to trigger ovulation.

3. Track how long it occurs

Most people report that their ovulation pain lasts between 6 and 12 hours (4). In Clue, the majority of people who track ovulation pain do so for only one day. Others track it for two or more days, but it’s difficult to know to what extent other factors play a role, such as ovulatory pain due to endometriosis.

4. Track the sensation or severity

The sensations or pain of ovulation is as unique as the person who experiences it. For some, it’s not painful, but just uncomfortable—some have described it as a sense of fullness or tension (3). For others, it’s been described as cramp-like, sharp, dull, and intermittent. It’s mild for most but more acute and painful for others (1,3).

You can track severity of ovulation pain by using the custom Tags option in Clue.

Other causes of pain in the general area of your ovaries

An appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, or complications of an ovarian cyst can all have similar symptoms as ovulation pain, but tend to be more severe and unexpected. These conditions require immediate medical treatment. Ongoing pelvic pain can be a sign of a condition or infection such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis, which also require treatment or management from a healthcare provider.

People with ovarian cysts have follicles that grow large and can rupture. Ovarian cyst ruptures are similar to ovulation, but they are associated with irregular ovulation, involve abnormally large cysts, and tend to be more severe. The rupture causes moderate to severe pain and can lead to other complications (13). Ovarian cysts are not uncommon, and can be caused by some types of hormonal birth control, like hormonal IUDs (14, 15). Other types of hormonal birth control that stop ovulation are sometimes used to treat persistent ovarian cysts. Talk to your healthcare provider about any moderate to severe abdominal pain.

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Cramping when Ovulating – Signs, Treatment

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.

Find more information in the Everyday Health PMS Center.

90,000 Pain relievers for ovulation: tablets, folk remedies

Reading 5 min.

Approximately 20% of women take pain relievers during ovulation, because during this period they experience severe pain. In some cases, they have to seek qualified help from a clinic. For the rest, the release of the egg from the follicle causes not too pronounced pain. Therefore, women do not even know what is happening in their body.

The main causes of painful sensations

There are several main reasons for painful ovulation, namely:

• the size of the follicle is too large , therefore, when it ruptures, the ovarian capsule is damaged;
• too strong undulating contractions fallopian tubes;
• Small rupture of the fallopian tube during the passage of the egg through it. This can happen if there is inflammation;
• Irritation of the abdominal cavity by fluid leaked from the ovary.With a small amount, it appears on its own;
• cessation of oral contraceptive use ;
• hormonal imbalance ;
• The appearance of a neoplasm or cyst of the internal genital organs.

In case of inflammation or hormonal imbalance during the rupture of the follicle, a large amount of serous fluid may be released along with the capsule. As a result, severe internal bleeding will begin.This condition is called ovarian apoplexy and can only be removed by surgery.

Painful sensations usually occur on the side in the groin area, but they can give to the leg, perineum, lower back and even look like appendicitis.

For most women, the duration of pain is several minutes. Some experience soreness for several days, that is, all the time that ovulation continues. They should know how to relieve pain during this period.

Means to help relieve pain

If the discomfort persists, women take pain relievers for ovulation.

However, should not self-medicate, because it can lead to serious complications.

Before use, you should definitely contact an experienced specialist who will give recommendations and prescribe the necessary pills for pain during ovulation.

Some women will benefit from pain pills, while others will need more serious treatment.A qualified doctor will tell you what to do in this or that case.

Pain caused by natural causes can be stopped: pain relievers (tamipul, ibuprofen, diclofenac), antispasmodics (baralgin, nosh-pa, spazmalgon).

If pathology is detected, then appropriate therapy is prescribed. It includes the use of oral contraceptives, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Some patients undergo surgery.

Traditional methods of therapy

It is possible to relieve pain in other ways, for example, folk remedies help well.

The most effective and fairly harmless are medicinal plants . You can prepare tinctures and decoctions from them.

Often used elecampane root , from which a decoction is prepared. To do this, the root should be chopped. Take one tablespoon, pour one glass of water, boil and boil over low heat for a quarter of an hour.Then let it brew for four hours. Strain and take a tablespoon four times a day.

Melissa is also a good remedy. The leaves are crushed, take two spoons and pour them with two glasses of boiling water. Cover tightly and infuse for one hour. After filtering and using fifty milliliters three times a day.

In addition, celery root can be used. Pour two cups of boiled water over two tablespoons of the product.

Cover tightly and leave for two hours. The resulting infusion must be filtered. Consume seventy milliliters in the morning, afternoon and evening.

An infusion of marigold inflorescences will help to relieve a strong spasm. It can be purchased at any pharmacy.

For cooking, you need to pour one tablespoon of herbs with one glass of boiling water, cover and leave for fifteen minutes. Take seventy milliliters three times a day.

In the same way, you can make an infusion from dry yarrow .

When your stomach hurts, you can drink enough fluids, lie down and relax. To exclude an infectious disease, the temperature is measured several times throughout the day.

Some women use a warm heating pad to relieve pain. Heat stimulates blood circulation and relaxes tense muscles. However, you should be extremely careful with a heating pad, because it can not only help, but also harm your health. It can be used if it is reliably known that the spasm arose precisely due to ovulation.

When is the doctor’s help needed?

An urgent visit to an experienced specialist is required if regular pain persists for more than two days and other symptoms begin to appear.

For example, against the background of severe spasms, loss of consciousness occurs. In this situation, you cannot postpone the trip to the doctor for a minute.

It is also necessary to consult a doctor if the body temperature has increased, nausea occurs and vomiting has begun, headaches and dizziness have appeared.

In addition, problems with urination and bowel movements may occur.

Experts recommend keeping a special diary in which you should note the “painful days” of the menstrual cycle. This will help you understand if the painful spasm is a consequence of ovulation.

As a preventive measure against diseases of the genitourinary system, it is recommended to be examined by a gynecologist twice a year.

We invite you to watch a useful video on the topic:

Output

Do not worry when ovulation is accompanied by mild malaise and when during this period the abdomen pulls a little.This condition is quite normal, because the follicle ruptures and the ovum progresses.

If the spasm persists for a long time, and its intensity only intensifies, then you need to consult a doctor. It is impossible to prescribe painkillers for ovulation, because the pain that has arisen can be a symptom of any pathology. A qualified doctor should identify the cause and prescribe the drug.

How to deal with the most common complaint – Wonderzine

What to do to relieve pain

Pain itself is a stress for the body, which means that it is harmful to endure it.Sometimes breathing exercises, diaphragmatic breathing (“belly breathing”), stretching exercises of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine and abdominal cavity help to weaken or completely relieve abdominal discomfort – the point is that in the process the muscles and ligaments of the lumbar spine and muscles that pass inside are stretched belly. But in most cases it is necessary to take a medication.

Analgesics (for example, based on paracetamol, ibuprofen, metamizole), antispasmodics, as well as combined drugs with analgesic and antispasmodic effects are popular pain relievers that are sold in pharmacies without a prescription.However, it is not safe to drink analgesics or combination drugs for spasms. Such means do not take into account the nature of pain, but only mask the latter – they block the transmission of the pain signal without affecting its cause. This can make it difficult to make a diagnosis and cause serious damage to health. In addition, if the pain is caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis or ulcers, taking an analgesic or a combination drug will irritate the mucous membrane, which will only worsen the condition.

For abdominal pain, experts advise taking an antispasmodic first. It does not interfere with the mechanisms of pain sensitivity and does not “erase” symptoms in acute surgical diseases. This drug can affect spasm in different ways: affect receptors, block the pathways of transport of substances into the cell, prevent the work of enzyme proteins. In case of spastic pain, it always has a targeted effect – by relaxing the muscles, eliminating pain syndrome. Some antispasmodics work only on the muscle of the intestines, the intestines and uterus, or the intestines and biliary tract – a good option if the nature of the pain is known.If the pain persists within a couple of hours after taking the antispasmodic, the cause of the discomfort is unlikely to be related to spasm, and the drug will be ineffective. In this case, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Medical consultations also require regular pain, which is often a signal of irritable bowel syndrome, which needs full treatment, and not just pain relief. Obstetrician-gynecologist Eliso Jobava notes that acute persistent abdominal pain is an alarming signal.Such discomfort can be associated with life-threatening situations: appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy (against a background of two to three days of delay), ovarian apoplexy with bleeding into the abdominal cavity (in the middle of the cycle during ovulation). If the pain appears for the first time, its intensity increases or it is accompanied by an increase in temperature, nausea, vomiting, an ambulance should be called.

Photos: blackday – stock.adobe.com (1, 2)

90,000 Does the stomach ache during ovulation – is this a norm or a pathology? What to do if the stomach hurts during ovulation, do I need to go to the doctor – By Ekaterina Danilova

Every woman’s menstrual cycle is accompanied by ovulation.

And often during this period women experience pain, some are moderate, and some are quite strong.

But what is the reason for this condition?

Many women who suffer from these pains understand why they occur, and some have no idea about it.

Therefore, it is imperative to be able to distinguish the symptoms of different diseases.

Abdominal pain during ovulation: causes and symptoms

Today, there is no consensus about the occurrence of pain during ovulation.But most often, painful sensations bother young women and adolescents.

Pain during ovulation can be physiological in nature, for example, if its occurrence is associated with muscle contraction in the uterus, during the leakage of fluid from a ruptured follicle. The pain will be localized to the right or left, it all depends on where the follicle ruptured. Some of the fluid enters the peritoneum, which is why pain occurs. Its strength depends on how strong the woman’s pain defect is.

Pathological pain occurs much less frequently. It is associated with disorders in the reproductive system of a woman, as well as the presence of diseases of the appendages and pelvic organs. The presence of other deviations also has an effect, for example:

• tumor;

• endometriosis:

• infections;

• chronic inflammation.

A similar sensation of pain can occur with an existing ectopic pregnancy, as well as with attacks of appendicitis.

There are 6 main signs of pain during ovulation:

1.The onset of pain is unexpected, sometimes a tingling sensation can be felt for only a few minutes.

2. The painful sensation is observed on one side.

3. The feeling of pain can last a maximum of 48 hours, if it continues further, you need to call an ambulance.

4. Pain occurs immediately before ovulation itself, or some time after it.

5. The pain is always of a periodic nature, occurs, as a rule, every month.

6. Occurs by attacks, sometimes sharp.

Symptoms of pain during ovulation:

1. During and after ovulation, pain will occur in the mammary glands when palpating.

2. A woman may feel sick, feeling weak throughout the body.

3. Vaginal discharge copious, mucous.

4. A feeling of fullness arises in the abdomen.

5. Sex drive increases.

6. The mood becomes changeable, often whiny.

7. Vaginal discharge changes color, becomes slightly brown.

Stomach hurts during ovulation: medications and procedures

Not all women and girls can tolerate pain, and therefore are looking for ways to deal with it. Several effective remedies can be noted that help alleviate the condition.

Medication

No-shpa will help to get rid of unpleasant sensations. Take the drug, you need to follow the instructions, otherwise weakness and pressure drop may occur. It is worth noting that usually one tablet is enough to prevent pain from occurring during the day.

Also for pain in the lower abdomen, ibuprofen is effective. But since it belongs to NSAIDs, it is often impossible to use it.

If you feel severe pain for a long time, Novigan can help, which, in addition to an analgesic, contains an antispasmodic. But since the drug has many contraindications, it should be taken with extreme caution.

Relaxing procedures

You can get rid of the constant pain sensation during ovulation with the help of water procedures.Pour water into the bath, add a few drops of essential oil there, and take water procedures for 10-20 minutes.

If, along with pain, you are concerned about pressure, you can use dry heat. Take a heating pad and place it on your lower abdomen for no more than 15 minutes. If there is no heating pad, you can heat salt in a frying pan, wrap it in a cloth and also apply.

Herbal medicine

To relieve pain during ovulation, you can use a pharmacy chamomile. Take two or three tablespoons of the herb, pour it into a container, and then pour one liter of boiling water.You need to take the product in 100 ml, three times a day.

If the feeling of pain lasts more than 48 hours, along with this, the state of health becomes worse, and there is bloody discharge from the vagina, see a doctor as soon as possible.

A stomach ache during ovulation: how to alleviate the condition

No matter how a woman is sure that the resulting abdominal pain is associated with ovulation, you still need to consult a doctor. After all, absolutely any pathology, even not related to gynecology, can cause pain syndrome.On examination, the doctor can exclude the supposed guesswork, and prescribe the appropriate treatment, as well as methods of prevention. These include, first of all, the following:

1. If pain bothers a woman every month, then on the days of ovulation you should try to relax as much as possible, not worry, not get depressed.

2. Nutrition plays an important role. So, for example, during this period, you need to abandon all foods that increase the load on the stomach. As a result of this, the pain syndrome will only intensify, and flatulence will occur.First of all, this concerns the rejection of spicy and fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, strong tea. Eat more fruits, cereals and soups are recommended.

3. Severe pain can be relieved with warm baths. You can add not only essential oils to them, but also medicinal herbs (St. John’s wort, Mother – and – Stepmother). When you are warm, the contraction of the uterus will decrease, the pain will be relieved.

With a constant feeling of pain, namely every month, the gynecologist may advise taking oral contraceptives.Under their influence, ovulation will be blocked, which means that pain will not occur. But of course, if you plan to conceive a child in the near future, you will have to refuse such drugs.

Abdominal pain during ovulation: folk remedies

In order to get rid of severe pain during ovulation, you can use some traditional medicine. The most effective and safe are medicinal herbs, namely tinctures and decoctions prepared on their basis.

Elecampane

For painful ovulation, take a decoction from the root of elecampane.Take one spoonful of pre-chopped root, pour one glass of water, put on fire and simmer for 15 minutes. After that, put the broth to infuse for 4 hours. Take the product one scoop, 4 times a day.

Melissa

Grind lemon balm leaves, separate two spoons from the total composition and pour them with two glasses of boiling water. The tool is infused for one hour, after which it must be filtered and taken 1/4 cup three times a day.

Celery Root

Take two tablespoons of celery root, pour one glass of boiled water.The resulting tincture can be covered with a lid, and then you need to put it for exactly two hours in order for it to infuse. After that, strain the product and take 1/3 of a glass, no more than three times a day.

Stomach hurts during ovulation: should I see a doctor?

Most often, women can independently cope with pain during ovulation, and they do not need to be examined by specialists. But at the same time, it is imperative to know that not every pain can be associated specifically with ovulation.After all, it can arise due to the fact that there is a serious disease that requires immediate treatment. In no case should you hesitate to visit a doctor in the following cases:

• there is a strong fever and nausea;

• severe pain occurs when urinating;

• pain lasts more than two days;

• along with pain, diarrhea, vomiting and shortness of breath occur;

• It is impossible to endure pain even on the first day.

Another reason to visit a specialist is the occurrence of severe pain in the very middle of the cycle.

If you have any pain, you must definitely take due time to your health. Indeed, sometimes people devote little time to treatment and examination, and do not even suspect that they have dangerous diseases.

Many diseases do not manifest themselves at all, and in the end it may turn out that it is too late to be treated.

That is why, in case of painful ovulation, it is imperative to be examined for concomitant diseases.

It is believed that after the birth of a child, women are less likely to experience these symptoms, even if they previously had to “live” on the same pills during ovulation.

Watch your health, listen carefully to it and do not neglect visits to specialists!

Useful links:

🤰 Stimulation of ovulation – stimulation of ovulation before IVF, price

I started thinking about children too late: I wanted to live “for myself”, and the decree would not have helped my career either. When I was 34, my husband and I decided “it’s time”.

The first six months without protection – normal flight. Then they began to worry.Then we tried everything – from dieting and standing upside down after sex, to examinations in the best clinics. Doctors shrug their shoulders. Then there are 4 IVF protocols in 2 clinics in a year and a half. At the exit – one frozen pregnancy in the second protocol.

And then my hands dropped. Problems began with my husband – he offered to give birth to children much earlier than I did, and now he began to nag me, they say, because of you, they missed the time … In short, it is not known how all this would have ended if it were not for His Majesty the Chance.

Once in the summer I came to my mother’s dacha, and there an old acquaintance with her husband and two toddlers was poking around. I knew her, if not from the cradle, then from the sandbox for sure. We have summer cottages nearby, so for the summer our parents took us there to grandmothers all the time. And then they themselves began to go there to their parents or with companies. In general, not close friends, of course, but not strangers either. She invited me to visit in the evening. We sat with her, drank wine, I looked at Irka, at her babies, and then I was “lucky”. She burst into tears, told her everything.It turned out that Irka also had problems with the female side, and the children, it turns out, were “Ekoshka”, twins. She advised me of her doctor.

First reception. Reproductologist Anna Vladislavovna Morozova. I somehow immediately felt psychologically comfortable and calm with her. As the saying goes, on the same wavelength, there is no this usual doctor overlooking “if you don’t understand anything, be silent and do as I tell you”. We discussed everything. She said the right thing – “Infertility of unknown genesis does not mean that there is no reason.This means that she has not yet been found. Will seek”. Protocol, 11 cells, 8 embryos, 5 with good morphology. And then it is clear – the selection of embryos by sex, and a successful pregnancy on the first attempt. And here I am, a 39-year-old “young mother”, now sitting in the kitchen, cooking dinner and looking after my Anka …

Anna Vladislavovna, there are no words to express how grateful I am to you. And all the girls advice – do not delay. And that time may not be enough.

90,000 Menstrual cycle and ovulation – Nikamed Clinic

If your period is painful, there is no reason to suffer in silence.By contacting our clinic, women with dysmenorrhea, irregular or painful periods will be able to receive qualified specialist assistance and access to a range of treatment options.

In case of problems with ovulation, the doctor assesses the patient’s condition to identify the cause of infertility. He will prescribe the appropriate treatment to help the family conceive. Female infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including ovarian dysfunction.

Menstrual cycle is a series of monthly changes that take place in a woman’s body in preparation for a possible pregnancy.Each month, one of the ovaries forms a follicle from which an egg is released – a process called ovulation. At the same time, cyclical hormonal changes prepare the uterus for possible pregnancy. If ovulation occurs, but the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus is rejected and menstruation occurs.

What is the norm?

The menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of the beginning of one menstruation until the first day of the next. It is different for every woman.Menses can normally occur between 21 and 35 days and last from two to seven days. During the first few years after your period starts, long periods are normal. However, the menstrual cycle tends to shorten and become more regular within 1 year of the onset of your period.

Your menstrual cycle is considered regular if the intervals between periods are approximately the same length each month or differ by 1-2 days. Normally, menstruation should be painless, not abundant and complete within 3-5 days.

Be aware that using certain types of contraception, such as the continuous contraceptive pill, will change your menstrual cycle. Talk with your doctor about what to expect while taking the drug and how it might affect your future fertility. This is an important aspect to consider when planning a pregnancy and managing a pregnancy.

How can I track my menstrual cycle?

To find out what is normal for you, start keeping track of your menstrual cycle on the calendar or using the mobile app.Start by tracking the start date of each month for several months in a row to determine if your period is regular.

• If you have a worry about your period, look at the following factors every month:
• End date. How long does your period usually last? Are they longer or shorter than usual?
• Intensity of menstruation. Record the intensity of your period. Does it seem lighter or heavier than usual? How often do you need new personal care products?
• Abnormal bleeding.Have you seen bleeding between periods?
• Pain. Describe any pain associated with your period. Does the pain get worse over time?
• Other changes. Have you felt a change in mood or behavior?

What causes menstrual irregularities?

Menstrual irregularities can be caused by a number of reasons, including:

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. A delayed or missed cycle can be an early sign of pregnancy.In addition, breastfeeding before a certain time often blocks the return of menstruation after pregnancy.

Eating disorders, severe weight loss or excessive exercise. Eating disorders – such as anorexia nervosa, sudden weight loss, and dramatic increases in physical activity – can lead to menstrual irregularities.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This common hormonal disorder can cause small cysts to form on the ovaries and cause irregular periods.

Premature depletion of ovarian function. Premature ovarian failure refers to the loss of normal ovarian function before the age of 40. Women who experience premature ovarian failure (also known as primary ovarian failure) have irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles for many years.

Pelvic inflammatory disease. These genital infections also cause irregular menstrual bleeding.

Myoma of the uterus. A uterine fibroid is a benign growth of the uterus that can cause heavy periods and bleeding between cycles.

What can I do to prevent menstrual irregularities?

For some women, using the contraceptive pill prescribed by a doctor helps in regulating the menstrual cycle. However, some menstrual irregularities cannot be resolved with medication alone.

Regular check-ups are the best guarantee that women’s health problems will be diagnosed as soon as possible.

In addition, consult a doctor if:

• Your periods suddenly stopped for more than 90 days and you are not pregnant
• Your periods become irregular
• Bleeding continues for more than seven days
• Bleeding has changed towards profuse, forcing more frequent changes in personal hygiene products.
• Your period occurs in less than 21 days or more than 35 days
• You are experiencing bleeding between periods
• You are experiencing severe pain during your period
• Fever and nausea after using tampons

Remember: Monitoring your menstrual cycle helps you know what is normal and what is not normal for you. If you have questions or concerns about your menstrual cycle, check with your doctor.

90,000 Oh, how exhausting this pain: female endometriosis

“Isn’t it fatal?” – the puzzled patient is frightened.

“No, no,” the doctor replies, “you don’t die from endometriosis, but this is one of the possible causes of chronic pelvic pain!”.

Thousands of women around the world suffer from this disease.

Dear ladies! Do not postpone a visit to a gynecologist if you have very painful menstruation, frequent pain in the lower abdomen, as well as painful sexual intercourse.

Endometriosis is the leading cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain that is so difficult to cope with on your own.

In endometriosis, the endometriotic tissue (of which the inner lining of the uterine cavity is composed) is located outside the uterus.

Endometriosis can be localized in the body:

• Most commonly on the pelvic organs, including the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder and intestines.
• Also in the upper part of the vagina and in the abdomen between the rectum and the posterior wall of the uterus (posterior fornix).
• And even – fortunately, rarely – on the diaphragm, lungs, kidneys, and, surprisingly, the calf muscle.

“Why is this happening?” – the patient girl is perplexed.

There are many theories about the origin of endometriosis. And none of them fully explains the appearance of this disease.

Risk factors for this disease are known; the main ones are worth listing: heredity, especially if mom or sister suffered from endometriosis; abnormal menstruation: too long or too frequent; absence of children – with long planning and regular sex life; excessive use or – rather – abuse of animal fats and red meat, alcohol; stress; imbalance in estrogen.

The most important question, for the answer to which this article was written, still sounded:

“Is it possible to conceive a child with endometriosis?”

Endometriosis is responsible for 1/3 of infertility cases. The longer a woman has endometriosis, the higher the risk of infertility. And yet, up to 70% of women with mild to moderate endometriosis are still able to get pregnant!

“How does this disease lead to infertility, what happens inside me?” – there is already fear in the girl’s voice.

Due to endometriosis, adhesions are formed between the ovaries, tubes, preventing the oocyte from entering the fallopian tube. Sometimes endometriosis affects the ovary so much that ovulation does not even occur, physically the egg is not able to get out of the endometrioid “networks”.

And, what is the saddest thing, which cannot be ignored, the disease can lead to a decrease in the quantity and quality of healthy eggs.

“But I am not planning a pregnancy yet. Is endometriosis dangerous for me? “

Dangerous because it can lead to a number of other conditions, including:

01 Adenomyosis – endometriosis of the uterus, which is accompanied by very profuse and terribly painful menstruation.

02

03 Ovarian cysts – which often require surgical treatment.

04 Intestinal endometriosis – in this case, constipation will occur.

05 Chronic pelvic pain – debilitating monthly, not allowing to lead the usual way of life.

Endometriosis is tricky enough. What signs and symptoms should alert and make you urgently see a doctor:

Painful menstruation (“deadly” cramps) – very difficult to relieve pain with standard analgesics.

Heavy menstrual bleeding, the so-called menorrhagia.

Chronic pelvic pain – aching pains before or after menstruation, haunting day after day.

Pain during intercourse.

Abdominal pain and intestinal dysfunction, which includes diarrhea, bloating, cramps.

Bladder dysfunction, eg painful urination.

Unreasonable weakness, fatigue.

Infertility.

Personality changes (depression, stress, apathy).

If these symptoms are found – all together or separately – it is advisable to undergo a full comprehensive examination by a gynecologist. Based on the results, the doctor will better understand whether any additional research is needed. There is currently no cure for a complete cure for endometriosis. But for the treatment of endometriosis, there are surgical and non-surgical options, after which infertility and pain associated with this disease will go away.

“What should you take? I will be the most diligent patient! ” – the girl perks up noticeably.

The doctor is ready to offer:

Hormonal drugs – there are really very effective drugs that a gynecologist can pick up.

Special hormonal intrauterine device.

Rational nutrition.

Planning a pregnancy in the early stages is an excellent method of treatment!

It is important to note that these methods are not a treatment for the disease itself, but a means of controlling pain and relieving symptoms.

Sometimes you have to resort to surgical treatment.

There are many surgical procedures that a patient can undergo to treat endometriosis, depending on the severity and stage. This is both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

While in the operating room, a well trained and experienced gynecological surgeon will be able to visualize any anatomical abnormalities or endometriosis lesions.

Laparoscopic surgery (minimally invasive surgery with a camera) can be used in an attempt to remove all of the endometrial tissue outside the uterus.This removal is often performed during surgery when endometriosis is diagnosed.

Surgery to remove the uterus or ovaries is intended for women in special situations.

Although surgery can be very effective, endometriosis may recur after surgery …

Therefore, it is very important to identify the problem as early as possible, start treatment, get rid of complications, pain, infertility. Everything is possible!

With infinite respect for women, obstetrician-gynecologist Valeria Viktorovna Siluyanova

GINEPRISTON modern emergency contraception

In the last 30 years, medicine has made great strides in the development of new contraceptives, including the transition from high-dose to low-dose combined oral contraceptives.In addition, contraceptive methods have been supplemented with combined parenteral and transdermal contraceptives, vaginal rings, progestogen oral contraceptives and implants, and antiprogestins.

Emergency contraceptives (EC) are means of preventing unwanted pregnancy in cases of unprotected intercourse or when a regularly used contraceptive “does not work”.

Among the known EC drugs are preparations containing estrogens, gestagens, antigonadotropins, copper-containing intrauterine devices, and antiprogestins (eg mifepristone).For the purpose of EC from gestagens, the most widely used derivatives are levonorgestrel and norethisterone, the use of which is often accompanied by menstrual irregularities of the type of metrorrhagia. Moreover, EC with gestagens is often practiced uncontrollably and repeatedly, which led to the formation of a negative attitude towards this drug due to the high frequency of menstrual dysfunction.

An innovative EC agent is a drug based on mifepristone, which has predominantly antiprogestogenic properties and exhibits minimal agonistic effects only in some tissues.The drug produced by Mir-Pharm CJSC (Russia) is known under the GINEPRISTON trademark. It exhibits anti-progestogenic properties and ambivalent activity as a progesterone agonist / antagonist.

Studies have examined how various antiprogestins affect the oocyte, ovulation, corpus luteum development and implantation, as well as their potential use for EC. The contraceptive potential of various dosing regimens of mifepristone for EC was also studied: daily (0.5–1.0 mg), weekly (2.5–5.0 mg), and single (10 mg and 200 mg).Moreover, this drug is devoid of estrogenic properties, and, therefore, the corresponding side effects.

Studies have shown that the effect on folliculogenesis and ovulation is determined by the dose of the drug and the phase of the menstrual cycle; high doses of mifepristone suppress follicular development; taking lower doses more often leads to a delay in ovulation and / or disruption of endometrial development with minimal impact on cyclical changes in the ovary. Taking mifepristone in low doses (0.5–1.0 mg / day) for 5–15 days from the time the dominant follicle reaches a diameter of 14–16 mm significantly delays the onset of the peak concentration of gonadotropins and subsequent ovulation.Under these conditions, mifepristone also delays the periovulatory increase in progesterone levels. Regular intake of the drug in low doses (0.1–0.5 mg) does not block ovulation and does not change the duration of the menstrual cycle and / or its intensity. Higher doses lead to anovulation and absence of menstruation (Bygdeman M. et al., 1999).

A number of studies with different approaches and dosing regimens have been devoted to the study of mifepristone. Thus, among 90 women involved in a randomized double-blind study with daily intake of 2 mg and 5 mg mifepristone for 120 cycles, the absence of ovulation was noted in 90–95%, the absence of menstruation in most women; only a few had hot flashes, atrophic or cystic changes in the endometrium, suppression of the expression of progesterone receptors and a number of other components.Menses resumed in all women 3 weeks after discontinuation of mifepristone. When taking the drug for 200 months, none of the 50 sexually active women experienced pregnancy (Brown A. et al., 2002).

The efficacy of different doses of mifepristone (600, 50 and 10 mg) for EC, according to the results of a WHO multicenter study, was identical: when taking 600 mg, the number of pregnancies occurred was 1.3%, 50 mg 1% and 10 mg 1.2%. Thus, the high contraceptive potential of the drug was demonstrated (The Lancet, 1999; WHO, 2004).

In subsequent studies, 10 mg of mifepristone was used for EC in the preovulatory period, 200 mg after ovulation. It has been confirmed that 10 mg of mifepristone during the preovulatory period is effective as an EC. This was confirmed in a meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials based on 6283 observations. The total number of pregnancies occurred was 106, or 1.7%. According to three other multicenter studies, the number of pregnancies occurred was 45 out of 3440, or 1.3%.The effectiveness of EC is significantly reduced when taking mifepristone more than 120 hours after unprotected intercourse in comparison with taking it during the first day, as well as with repeated unprotected intercourse after taking mifepristone (Piaggio G. et al, 1999).

In 2002, The Lancet published data from a WHO randomized, double-blind, multinational, comparative study involving 4136 women comparing the efficacy and side effects of 10 mg mifepristone versus two regimens of levonorgestrel (two 0.75 mg doses interval of 12 hours or once 1.5 mg) with EC within 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.The results showed that 1.4% became pregnant in the mifepristone group, 1.5% in the single-dose levonorgestrel group, and 1.7% in the two-dose levonorgestrel group. In all three dosage regimens, the percentage of pregnancies was higher in women who received the drug after 72 hours (von Hertzen H. et al., 2002).

Bleeding in the first 7 days was more common in the levonorgestrel group (31%) compared with the mifepristone group (19%). If we exclude women who started menstruating within the first 7 days, the rate would be 16% for the two levonorgestrel groups and 9.4% for mifepristone, indicating that non-menstrual bleeding is more common in women. taking levonorgestrel.

GINEPRISTON was registered in Russia as a means of EC in 2004. In the Federal State Institution “Scientific Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after V.I. IN AND. Kulakov ”(Moscow), a clinical study of the efficacy and safety of EC using the drug GINEPRISTON was carried out. The results of the study showed that its effectiveness was 100%, that is, none of the 30 patients became pregnant. Adverse reactions were noted in 16% in the form of postponing cycles (34–36 days).3 months after the discontinuation of mifepristone, the cycle was restored in all subjects.

The encouraging results of studies conducted by Prilepskaya V. et al. Prompted an open multicenter scientific study of the clinical efficacy and tolerability of GINEPRISTON as an EC agent in 4 federal districts of Russia. In total, 90 women aged 15–38 years were involved in it, who consulted gynecologists within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.50 of them applied to prevent pregnancy due to unsuccessful use of a condom or other means of contraception, 40 other women after intimacy without any method of contraception.

After using the drug, menstruation occurred in 97.8%, including the patient who took the drug 77 hours after intimacy. Moreover, in 84.4% of women, menstruation began on time. A delay in menstruation by 4-7 days was noted by 14.4% of women; in one patient, menstruation began with a delay of 34 days.

Based on all of the above data, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• GINEPRISTON is a highly effective EC product;
• the effectiveness of the drug does not depend on the day of the menstrual cycle and the time elapsed since unprotected intercourse;
• single use of GINEPRISTON has good tolerance and a favorable safety profile;
• the use of GINEPRISTON does not cause persistent menstrual irregularities, and the delay generally does not exceed 7 days and does not differ from previous menstruation in duration and abundance;
• GYNEPRISTON can be recommended as an EC remedy for both adolescent girls and women of reproductive age.