According to MayoClinc.com, one in five women experiences ovulation pain, also known as midcycle pain or mittelschmerz (derived from the German for "middle pain"). The pain occurs about 14 days before the beginning of a menstrual period (although this depends on the length of an individual woman's cycle) and is usually felt on one side of the lower abdomen.
Symptoms of Ovulation Pain
The most recognizable symptom of midcycle pain is a dull, aching pain that occurs in the lower abdomen. Other symptoms may include:
- sharp, cramp-like pain
- slight vaginal bleeding or discharge
- severe pain (rare)
The pain may last for just a few hours or for up to a day or two. As the ovary from which the egg is released varies from month to month, it may occur on the same side every month, on alternating sides or on one side for a few months in a row, then the other side, and so on.
Causes of Ovulation Pain
The exact cause of mittelschmerz is not known, but one possibility is that the fluid or blood that is released along with the egg during ovulation irritates the lining of the abdomen, causing pain. (The pain subsides once the blood is absorbed). Another possibility is that as the ovarian follicle grows, it stretches the surface of the ovary.
Ovulation pain may also be caused by the contraction of the fallopian tubes, which occurs after an egg is released, or by the rupture of the ovarian wall (as ovaries have no openings, pain may be felt when the egg bursts through).
Ovulation Pain Treatment and Warnings
Midccyle pain is not a disease and medical intervention is not usually necessary, although women who find that ovulation pain interferes with normal activity may consider taking an oral contraceptive (which prevents ovulation) or an over-the-counter pain reliever. Rest and drinking plenty of water may also help.
Ovulation pain does have a benefit in that women who wish to conceive may find the pain useful as a way of tracking their fertile days. If, however, a woman experiences ovulation pain that is prolonged and accompanied by nausea and fever, she should consult her physician to rule out other possible causes such as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammatory disease.
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Sources:
MayoClinic.com, "Mittelschmerz," (accessed May 14, 2010)
MedLinePlus, "Mittelschmerz," (accessed May 14, 2010)
WebMD.com, "Painful Ovulation (Mittelschmerz)" (accessed May 14, 2010)
2women'shealth.com, "Mid Cycle Pain - Mittelschmerz," (accessed May 14, 2010)
Kim Downey - Kim Downey graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2005. She is now a part time freelance and creative writer and a full time ...
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