Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of BloatBloat IntensityEasing Bloat
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Bloat
Bloat Intensity
Easing Bloat
Changes during the menstrual cycle can cause symptoms, such as bloating. Bloating can occur with ovulation—about midway through the cycle—or at other times in the cycle, such as during menstruation.
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Reasons Bloating During Ovulation Happens
Signs of ovulationinclude:
During ovulation, the follicle (small sac) where the mature egg is released grows rapidly, stretches the surface of the ovary, and squeezes the egg out. When the egg is released,fluid or bloodfrom the follicle can irritate the tissues around it.
The pain some people experience with ovulation is calledmittelschmerz, and occurs on the side where the egg was released.
Up to 40% of people who ovulate experiencepain and discomfort with ovulation, including:
Mittelschmerz can last from a few minutes to a couple of days.
Water Retention
Body composition fluctuations can happen during the menstrual cycle, including fluid retention. Exactly how and when body composition changes has had varying results in studies, possibly due to the differences in methodology.
Some research has found that water retention begins about five days before ovulation, gradually rises until it peaks during menstruation, then reaches its lowest point immediately after menstruation. This fluid retention can lead to feelings of bloating.
The main hormones involved in the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone, have been linked towater retention.
Medications to Induce Ovulation
Medications to induce ovulation can cause hyperstimulation (when the ovaries release too many hormones). This can cause symptoms such as abdominal bloating and pelvic pain.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Bloating is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome. PMS happens after ovulation and before your period, whenestrogen and progesterone levelsbegin falling. Symptoms ease within a few days of the start of menstruation as hormone levels rise again.
Not everyone who has a menstrual cycle experiences PMS, and the severity of symptoms can vary.
Physical symptoms of PMS may include:
Mental or emotionalsymptoms of PMSmay include:
Gauging the Intensity of Bloating Around Ovulation
Bloating related to ovulation is common, but in some cases it could indicate something else is going on.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cystsare small fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside an ovary. Functional cysts are common and form during or after ovulation when:
Functional ovarian cysts are usually harmless and go away on their own within six to eight weeks.
Functional cysts may cause symptoms such as:
Most cysts are not bigger than 3 cm (1.2 inches), but they can grow to 30 cm (11.8 inches). Bigger cysts can impact the bowel and bladder, and cause swelling and pressure.
Other symptoms of ovarian cysts can include:
Less common types of ovarian cysts include:
Chronic, uncomfortable cysts may be more likely with conditions such as:
Endometriosis
Endometriosisoccurs when tissue that is similar to uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause symptoms such as:
When Is Bloating an Emergency?Some conditions that cause bloating can become a medical emergency.Ovarian cysts canrupture (burst), which can cause fluid and blood to be released into the abdomen. This is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening.Larger cysts can causeovarian torsion(when a cyst twists around its supporting ligaments). This can block blood flow to the ovary, which can cause damage and be dangerous.Seek immediate medical careif you have symptoms such as:Faintness, dizziness, or weaknessHeavy vaginal bleeding (during menstruation or not)Pain with fever and/or vomitingRapid breathingSudden, severe abdominal painBloating emergencies can happen because of other problems, includingappendicitisand other conditions.Seek emergency medical care if you experience symptoms such as:Abdomen is painful to the touchBloody or black fecesChest painDifficulty breathingInability to urinate, defecate, or pass gasSudden or severe stomachacheUncontrolled nausea, vomiting, or pain that does not improve within 12 hoursVomiting blood (or vomit that looks like coffee grounds)
When Is Bloating an Emergency?
Some conditions that cause bloating can become a medical emergency.Ovarian cysts canrupture (burst), which can cause fluid and blood to be released into the abdomen. This is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening.Larger cysts can causeovarian torsion(when a cyst twists around its supporting ligaments). This can block blood flow to the ovary, which can cause damage and be dangerous.Seek immediate medical careif you have symptoms such as:Faintness, dizziness, or weaknessHeavy vaginal bleeding (during menstruation or not)Pain with fever and/or vomitingRapid breathingSudden, severe abdominal painBloating emergencies can happen because of other problems, includingappendicitisand other conditions.Seek emergency medical care if you experience symptoms such as:Abdomen is painful to the touchBloody or black fecesChest painDifficulty breathingInability to urinate, defecate, or pass gasSudden or severe stomachacheUncontrolled nausea, vomiting, or pain that does not improve within 12 hoursVomiting blood (or vomit that looks like coffee grounds)
Some conditions that cause bloating can become a medical emergency.
Ovarian cysts canrupture (burst), which can cause fluid and blood to be released into the abdomen. This is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening.
Larger cysts can causeovarian torsion(when a cyst twists around its supporting ligaments). This can block blood flow to the ovary, which can cause damage and be dangerous.
Seek immediate medical careif you have symptoms such as:
Bloating emergencies can happen because of other problems, includingappendicitisand other conditions.
Seek emergency medical care if you experience symptoms such as:
When Does Bloating After Ovulation Suggest Pregnancy?Sperm can live in the female reproductive tract for three to five days,making pregnancy possiblefrom up to five days before ovulation to the day of ovulation if sex occurs.Pregnancy dating starts from the first day of your last period. A missed menstrual period is often the first sign of pregnancy. Not everyone experiences other symptoms, but first trimester symptoms may include:BloatingCramping, similar to period painsDarkened skin or brown patches on the faceFatigue/tirednessHeightened sense of smellIncreased need to urinateLight spotting (as the fertilized egg burrows into the uterus. See your healthcare provider if you experience bleeding during pregnancy)Metallic taste in the mouthMilky whitevaginal dischargeNauseaNew food preferencesSore or tender breasts
When Does Bloating After Ovulation Suggest Pregnancy?
Sperm can live in the female reproductive tract for three to five days,making pregnancy possiblefrom up to five days before ovulation to the day of ovulation if sex occurs.Pregnancy dating starts from the first day of your last period. A missed menstrual period is often the first sign of pregnancy. Not everyone experiences other symptoms, but first trimester symptoms may include:BloatingCramping, similar to period painsDarkened skin or brown patches on the faceFatigue/tirednessHeightened sense of smellIncreased need to urinateLight spotting (as the fertilized egg burrows into the uterus. See your healthcare provider if you experience bleeding during pregnancy)Metallic taste in the mouthMilky whitevaginal dischargeNauseaNew food preferencesSore or tender breasts
Sperm can live in the female reproductive tract for three to five days,making pregnancy possiblefrom up to five days before ovulation to the day of ovulation if sex occurs.
Pregnancy dating starts from the first day of your last period. A missed menstrual period is often the first sign of pregnancy. Not everyone experiences other symptoms, but first trimester symptoms may include:
What Helps Ease Bloating During Ovulation
Measures to ease bloatingcan depend on the cause of the bloating. If one technique doesn’t help, try another to see if it can offer relief.
Consider Eating Habits and Digestive Health
Try to:
Choose Beverages Wisely
Drink plenty of water. While it sounds counterintuitive, staying hydrated can help ease water retention.
Avoid or limit the following types of beverages:
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly can help withbloatingand digestion.
Exercise can also relieve other symptoms of PMS.
Consider Medications (Under the Guidance of Your Healthcare Provider)
If you are experiencing PMS, your healthcare provider may recommend hormonal birth control to ease symptoms.
Be cautious with products that are advertised to help PMS. Most have not been tested or proven to be effective, and may be harmful when taken in excess or in combination with other medications. Talk to your healthcare provider before using these products.
Consider Supplements
Taking 1,200 mg of calcium per day may help improve physical and emotional symptoms of PMS.
Magnesiumsupplementsmay help with water retention and bloating, breast tenderness, and mood symptoms.
Vitamin B6 may help with PMS symptoms such as bloating, and with some mental and emotional symptoms.
Some people rely on certain herbal supplements for symptom relief, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal supplements with the same rigor it does drugs.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements to avoid side effects and interactions.
Apply Heat
Applying a hot water bottle to the abdomen can help muscle tissue to relax, which can help soothe endo belly.
Massage Your Belly
An abdominal massage can help move stool through your colon to help relieve symptoms such asbloating, cramping, pressure, and tightness.
To do an abdominal self-massage:
Severe Pain Related to Menstrual CycleFor some people,pain related to the menstrual cyclecan be severe. This can include:Pain from endometriosisSevere period crampsThis pain can cause disruption to the quality and function of daily life, and may prevent a person from attending school or work, or participating in other activities.If you are experiencing pain or discomfort that interferes with your functioning, at any point in your menstrual cycle, talk to your healthcare provider.
Severe Pain Related to Menstrual Cycle
For some people,pain related to the menstrual cyclecan be severe. This can include:Pain from endometriosisSevere period crampsThis pain can cause disruption to the quality and function of daily life, and may prevent a person from attending school or work, or participating in other activities.If you are experiencing pain or discomfort that interferes with your functioning, at any point in your menstrual cycle, talk to your healthcare provider.
For some people,pain related to the menstrual cyclecan be severe. This can include:
This pain can cause disruption to the quality and function of daily life, and may prevent a person from attending school or work, or participating in other activities.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort that interferes with your functioning, at any point in your menstrual cycle, talk to your healthcare provider.
Summary
Ways to help bloating include dietary changes, regular exercise, heat, medication, supplements, and abdominal massage.
It may be difficult to know if bloating is related to ovulation rather than something else (like gastrointestinal issues) if your menstrual cycle isnot regular.
Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe, persistent, unexplained, or bothering you.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Better Health.Ovulation pain.
Kanellakis S, Skoufas E, Simitsopoulou E, et al.Changes in body weight and body composition during the menstrual cycle. American J Hum Biol. 2023;35(11):e23951. doi:org/10.1002/ajhb.23951
Hicks CS, McLester CN, Esmat TA, McLester JR.A Comparison of Body Composition Across Two Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Utilizing Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, Air Displacement Plethysmography, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Int J Exerc Sci. 2017;10(8):1235-1249. Published 2017 Dec 1.
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Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Ovarian cyst.
Cedars-Sinai.Understanding ovarian cysts.
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.5 possible causes for ovary pain.
Office on Women’s Health.Ovarian cysts.
World Health Association.Endometriosis.
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Endometriosis Foundation of America.Managing ‘endo belly’ (severe bloating).
National Health Service.Bloating.
National Health Service.Week 4.
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