Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Ovulation Causes PainPinpointing Ovulation PainSeeking Medcal CareTreatment and ReliefManaging Ovulation PainCan Birth Control Help?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Ovulation Causes Pain
Pinpointing Ovulation Pain
Seeking Medcal Care
Treatment and Relief
Managing Ovulation Pain
Can Birth Control Help?
Ovulationis when the ovary releases an egg. It is part of the menstrual cycle for most people with a uterus. Some people experience ovulation discomfort, known as “mittelschmerz,” which is German for “middle pain.”
Ovulation pain involves pain or cramps on one side of the lower abdomen, pelvis, or lower back. It may alternate between the left and right sides between menstrual cycles, but the discomfort remains on one side throughout that ovulation cycle.
This article reviews why ovulation causes pain and the location, sensation, and timing of ovulation pain. It also covers other ovulation symptoms and when to discuss it with a healthcare provider.
The Ovaries and OvulationThe ovaries are small organs in the pelvis on either side of the uterus. They are about the size of an almond. Every month, the ovaries create tiny sacs called follicles, which hold immature eggs. If an egg combines male sperm during unprotected sex, it can result in pregnancy.Ovulation usually happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, roughly two weeks before your next period.
The Ovaries and Ovulation
The ovaries are small organs in the pelvis on either side of the uterus. They are about the size of an almond. Every month, the ovaries create tiny sacs called follicles, which hold immature eggs. If an egg combines male sperm during unprotected sex, it can result in pregnancy.Ovulation usually happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, roughly two weeks before your next period.
The ovaries are small organs in the pelvis on either side of the uterus. They are about the size of an almond. Every month, the ovaries create tiny sacs called follicles, which hold immature eggs. If an egg combines male sperm during unprotected sex, it can result in pregnancy.
Ovulation usually happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, roughly two weeks before your next period.
Ovulation pain occurs because the ovary’s wall stretches when the follicle breaks to release the egg. When the follicle breaks, it sometimes releases fluid or blood, irritating the abdominal lining. Intense pain may result from forceful follicle rupture.Fallopian tube(tube from the ovaries to the uterus) spasms can also cause discomfort.
Ongoing or intense pain may indicate underlying medical conditions. For example,endometriosisis a common gynecologic condition that can intensify ovulation and period pain. It occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. The tissue reacts to hormonal changes, causing bleeding and pain.
While this is not an exhaustive list, other conditions that can contribute to ovulation pain include:
Pelvic Pain
Does Ovulation Pain Get Worse Around Menopause?Perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, causes fluctuating hormone levels. These fluctuations can worsen ovulation pain and menstrual cramping. However, once you enter menopause (not having a period for 12 consecutive months), you should not ovulate or have ovulation pain.
Does Ovulation Pain Get Worse Around Menopause?
Perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, causes fluctuating hormone levels. These fluctuations can worsen ovulation pain and menstrual cramping. However, once you enter menopause (not having a period for 12 consecutive months), you should not ovulate or have ovulation pain.
8 Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes
While not everyone experiences ovulation pain, those who do can use their symptoms to glean insights into the timing of ovulation and aid in family planning.
Location
Ovulation pain typically stays in one area, on one side of the lower abdomen or pelvis.
The location is likely on the side where the ovary releases the egg. It can alternate sides each menstrual cycle or stay on the same side for several months in a row. But it will remain on the same side throughout ovulation. Some people also feel it in their lower back.
Sensation
Ovulation pain descriptions include sharp period cramps, a twinge, stabbing pain, or deep aching. Sometimes, it comes and goes, but it can also be a constant or nagging sensation. People note that it is different from other types of pain.
Additional Ovulation SymptomsHormonal changes can also cause otherovulation symptomslike:A slight increase in basal body temperature, about 0.5 to 1 degree FBloatingBreast tendernessIncreased sex driveMore abundant, clear, thin, slippery, and stretchy vaginal discharge
Additional Ovulation Symptoms
Hormonal changes can also cause otherovulation symptomslike:A slight increase in basal body temperature, about 0.5 to 1 degree FBloatingBreast tendernessIncreased sex driveMore abundant, clear, thin, slippery, and stretchy vaginal discharge
Hormonal changes can also cause otherovulation symptomslike:
Timing in Cycle
Ovulation occurs about midway through themenstrual cycle, typically about 14 days before starting your next period. Discomfort can occur the day or two before or after ovulation.
Duration Of PainThe duration of ovulation pain can also vary, lasting anywhere from a few minutes or hours up to 48 hours.
Duration Of Pain
The duration of ovulation pain can also vary, lasting anywhere from a few minutes or hours up to 48 hours.
When to Discuss Ovulation Pain With a Provider
While mild discomfort during ovulation is expected, if you experience severe or persistent pain, consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and the appropriate treatment, especially for any of the following symptoms:
Treatment and Relief for Pain During Ovulation
Most of the time, ovulation pain is mild and resolves independently. Sometimes, a warm bath orheat therapycan help. If these methods don’t work, consider over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, including:
How to Manage Monthly Ovulation Pain
You might find that starting pain relievers a day or two before you anticipate ovulation or as soon as you begin to feel a twinge of pain helps you better manage monthly pain. Waiting until the pain level is high can make it more difficult to control. Check with a healthcare provider to ensure this is a safe approach.
If you have endometriosis that causes severe ovulation pain or cramps, you can try complementary andsupportive therapieslike massage,chiropractic care,acupuncture, or herbal remedies.Herbal pain relief options include:
A healthcare provider may also suggest prescription anti-inflammatory pain medications such as Ponstel (mefenamic acid) or Celebrex (celecoxib), muscle relaxers like Valium (diazepam), nerve blocks, physical therapy, or surgery.
It’s essential to take birth control pills at the same time every day. If youmiss more than one pill in a row, there might not be enough hormones in your body to trick your brain, causing you to ovulate.
Hormone Therapy for EndometriosisIf you have endometriosis, your provider may also suggest different hormone therapies likegonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH)oraromatase inhibitors.
Hormone Therapy for Endometriosis
If you have endometriosis, your provider may also suggest different hormone therapies likegonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH)oraromatase inhibitors.
Summary
Ovulation pain occurs on the left or right side of the lower abdomen, pelvis, or lower back. It may feel like sharp period cramps, a twinge, stabbing pain, or deep aching that comes and goes or remains constant. Ovulation discomfort occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle when the ovaries release an egg.
Management strategies include heat, over-the-counter pain relievers, complementary therapies, and, in severe cases, consulting a healthcare provider.
15 Sources
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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