Sexual Health: What you need to know about ovulation pain
Published:Monday | July 27, 2015 | 12:00 AM
About one in five women experience pain and discomfort during ovulation. Called ovulation pain or mittelschmerz, this is a mild or sharp pain felt in the pelvic region or lower abdomen, generally midway between menstrual cycles.
Ovulation pain can range from a mild spasm to sharp and severe, and usually lasts from minutes to 48 hours. It is generally felt on one side of the lower abdomen (belly bottom), and may vary each month, depending on which ovary is releasing the egg during that cycle. In some cases, a small amount of vaginal bleeding or discharge may occur. Some women experience nausea, especially if the pain is severe.
Many women never experience ovulation pain. Some, on the other hand, have mid-cycle pain every month, and can determine by the pain that they are ovulating.
WHAT IS IT
Ovulation is a phase of the female menstrual cycle, which 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 episodes of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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, so visit a doctor if the pain lasts longer than three days, especially if you have other symptoms such as heavy bleeding.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of ovulation pain can include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen, just inside the hip bone.
- The pain typically occurs about two weeks before the menstrual period is due.
- The pain is felt on the right or left side, depending on which ovary is releasing an egg.
- The pain may switch from one side to the other from one cycle to the next, or remain on one side for a few cycles.
- The pain sensation varies between individuals - for example, it could feel like uncomfortable pressure, spasms, sharp pains or cramps.
- The duration of pain ranges anywhere from minutes to 48 hours.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
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.
OTHER 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 METHODS
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).
TREATMENT
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:
- Relax. If the pain is particularly bothersome, rest in bed whenever you can.
- Use painkilling medication.
- Warmth on the lower abdomen may help. Use heat packs, hot water bottles or warm baths.
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs. 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.
THINGS TO KNOW
- About one in five women experience pain during ovulation that can last from a few minutes to 48 hours.
- Ovulation pain is usually harmless, but can sometimes indicate various medical conditions such as 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.
- 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, it is unwise to rely on ovulation pain alone if you're trying to avoid pregnancy. Always use other methods of birth control.