Ovulation Pain: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Home Remedies

Ovulation pain or mittelschmerz is a one-sided, lower abdominal pain that appears in some women during ovulation. Ovulation is a phase in the menstrual cycle when a mature ovum is released into the fallopian tube from the ovary.

Around one in five women experience pain during ovulation (1); however, its intensity and duration may vary among different women. Most ovulation pains are not serious and either subside on their own or can be managed with simple remedies.

This post will help you learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatments, and home remedies for ovulation pain.

Where Does Ovulation Pain Occur?

Ovulation pain typically occurs either in the middle or on one side of the lower abdomen and pelvis. You will usually feel the pain on the side where the ovary releases the egg (2) (3).

Since the ovaries take turns to release the eggs every month, the pain may switch from one side to the other after each cycle.

Is Ovulation Pain The Same As Period Pain?

Although ovulation pain and period pain might feel similar, you can differentiate them based on when and where they are located.

Ovulation pain is felt on one side of the abdomen, somewhere around the middle of the menstrual cycle (two weeks before menstrual bleeding, if you have regular cycles). In contrast, period pain is felt in the lower abdomen just before and during menstrual bleeding (2).

What Are The Symptoms Of Ovulation Pain?

Ovulation pain may develop suddenly and last from a few minutes to two days. Besides the one-sided pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, the other symptoms of ovulation pain may include (2) (4) (5)

• Dull cramps to sharp twinges.
• Mild vaginal spotting.
• Vaginal discharge.
• Nausea.

What Causes Painful Ovulation?

Even after much research, the answer to this question remains unclear. However, some speculations about the causes of painful ovulation exist (1) (2).

According to these theories, ovulation is the release of the eggs from the ovarian follicle (a sac) into the fallopian tube. The stretching of this follicle just before the egg releases and the inflammation and rupture created in response to this might cause the pain. A physiological corpus luteal cyst is formed following the release of the egg, and its raw edges may continue to bleed, with the blood or fluid released during the irritating the abdominal lining and resulting in pain. In most instances, this bleeding stops by itself, but in a minority of cases, continued bleeding may result in severe pain, and a doctor’s evaluation may be necessary.

Other Possible Causes Of Ovulation Pain

Pain during ovulation is normal. However, in some rare cases, ovulation pain can be related to other underlying causes. These causes might need prompt attention from your healthcare provider.

1. Cysts: Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that are found inside or outside the ovary. Small cysts are generally harmless and resolve on their own. However, larger cysts or cysts that have ruptured might cause ovarian pain and need medical intervention (6).

2. Endometriosis or adhesions: Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease in which tissue similar to the one that forms the inner lining of the uterus are found outside the uterus (7).

An adhesion, on the other hand, is a scar tissue that joins two internal body surfaces that are not usually connected. It is often formed when the body repairs itself after a surgery or injury (8).

Both endometriosis and pelvic or abdominal adhesions can lead to pain.

3. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammation and ovulation cramps (9).

4. Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy is a type of pregnancy that happens outside the uterus in the fallopian tube, ovary, and rarely, in the abdomen. Although rare, this condition can cause severe pelvic pain and needs the attention of a healthcare provider.

5. Urinary disorders: Urinary tract infections can affect the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a urinary disorder that causes bladder pain and pelvic pain as the bladder fills (10).

6. Menstrual cramps: Menstrual cramps are lower abdominal pain experienced before or during menstrual bleeding. These cramps can often be confused with ovulation cramps because of how similar they feel.

7. Constipation: When the lower colon is affected due to constipation, it might give rise to pain. This pain generally subsides as soon as bowel movement is regularized.

Diagnosis And Tests

Usually, ovulation pain is not something to be alarmed about, but if the cramps become severe, it is best to get it evaluated by a healthcare provider. Tests are usually done to ensure you are experiencing normal cyclic pain and there are no other underlying medical conditions or complications (11).

Some of the ways in which ovulation pain is diagnosed are

• Medical history
• Abdominal and pelvic examination
• Abdominal and vaginal ultrasounds
• Blood tests
• Evaluation of cervical mucus
• Exploratory surgery, such as laparoscopy

How Is Painful Ovulation Treated?

You do not require any treatment for mild pain during ovulation; however, if the pain is severe, there are some ways in which you can treat it (2) (11).

• Take over-the-counter pain-relieving medications.
• Consult your doctor for anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or Aleve.
• If the pain becomes intolerable, talk to your doctor about hormonal contraceptive pills (birth control pills) that can stop ovulation.

Home Remedies To Relieve Ovulation Pain

Mild to moderate ovulation pain can be treated with some effective home remedies (11).

• Use a heating pad or take a warm bath to relax the muscles and relieve the pain.
• Include more dark leafy vegetables in your diet to keep constipation as well as bloating at bay.
• Research shows that getting some sun or taking vitamin D supplements can reduce discomfort or cramps (12).
• Do mild exercise to stretch the muscles
• Get enough rest.

Ovulation pain is often benign and can be managed with easy home remedies. The pain may neither indicate any health condition nor affect the fertility of a woman. On the contrary, if tracked regularly, you can use these cramps as a good indicator to monitor your ovulation. However, if you experience severe pain, talk to your healthcare provider, who will be able to work with you on the best solution for your condition.

References

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Reviewer

Dr. Ng Kai LynMMed (O&G), MRCOG

     

Dr. Ng Kai Lyn is a Singapore-based obstetrician and gynecologist, specializing in urogynecology, minimally invasive surgery, and clinical interest in fertility. She has an experience of 12 years managing and treating benign gynecological conditions, including uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometrial polyps, and endometriosis.

Read full bio of Dr. Ng Kai Lyn