Ovulation pain
Some women may feel pain on the side of their lower abdomen when ovulating. Ovulation pain occurs 14 days prior to your periods when the ovary releases eggs as part of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation pain is also known as mittelschmerz, German for “middle pain.” It is often one of the side effects for the periods which is normal.
Ovulation pain symptoms
- Dull cramps
- Sharp and sudden pain
- Pain in the left or right side of the lower abdomen (depending on which ovary release the eggs)
The ovulation pain can last for a few minutes to two days, and some women may experience vaginal bleeding during the discomfort.
Is ovulation pain something to worry?
Painful ovulation is relatively common and often harmless. But it can also indicate an underlying medical condition resulting in infertility problems.
- Endometriosis: An inflammatory disease that can affect the fallopian tube and ovaries, resulting in pain during ovulation
- Scar tissue: Surgeries like cesarean or appendix out can scar tissue and can cause pain during ovulation
- STI: STIs such as chlamydia causes inflammation and scarring near the fallopian tubes and cause ovulation pain
The reason behind ovulation pain?
There is no specific or actual reason, but experts believe that ovulation pain is the eggs breaking through the ovary, releasing a small amount of discharge of fluid or blood that irritates the nerves nearby and causes pain.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022