Around one in five women experience a noticeable pain every
month at the time of ovulation - and about half of all women are
thought to have experienced ovulation pain at least once.
This ovulation pain is referred to clinically by the German word
"Mittelschmerz," which means "middle pain."
What does ovulation pain feel like?
The experience of ovulation pain can be quite different from
woman to woman. Some women report a dull ache in their lower
abdomen or pelvis that is similar to period pain.
The aching ovulation pain can last for an hour or two, or in
some cases, can drag out for up to two days.
Other women report that they regularly experience one short,
sharp and intense pain midway through their cycle that lasts for
just a few seconds.
While ovulation pain is usually bearable, women who experience
sharp pain which lasts for more than a few minutes have been known
to mistake ovulation pain for appendicitis.
Where does ovulation pain occur?
Ovulation pain is an internal pain which typically occurs on
either the left or the right side of the lower abdomen, inside the
hip bone.
Some women always experience ovulation pain on one side of their
body (typically the right side), while others experience the pain
on one side or the other.
Less commonly, women may experience the pain in both sides of
the abdomen simultaneously.
Why does ovulation pain occur?
There are several explanations for ovulation pain
- The growth of follicles in the ovaries prior to ovulation
- The rupture of the ovarian wall that occurs each month at
ovulation
- Muscular contractions of the fallopian tube and the ovaries
that occur after ovulation
How do you know if this is ovulation pain?
Ovulation pain varies from person to person and can be a dull
ache that lasts for more than a day, or a sudden sharp pain that
goes away after a few minutes.
If you have experienced similar pain before and the pain is
occurring around the middle of your cycle, then it is likely to be
ovulation pain.
However, there are many other reasons for abdominal pain. If the
pain is unusual, or does not pass in the time indicated, or if you
have any other reason to be concerned, you should see your
doctor.
What symptoms are not related to ovulation pain?
Seek medical advice if you are experiencing any other symptoms
at the same time as abdominal pain, particularly if you experience
the following:
- High temperature of more than 1 degree Celsius above normal
temperature, lasting for more than an hour
- Dizziness or fainting
- Vaginal bleeding unrelated to your usual menstrual period
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Swollen abdomen
- Painful, uncomfortable or stinging urine
- Passing blood in urine or stool
- Difficulty breathing
What pain (other than ovulation pain) might be the cause of
abdominal pain?
It is important to seek medical advice if the pain you are
experiencing is not occurring at the appropriate time for ovulation
pain or if the pain is quite severe or if it does not go away after
a reasonable period of time.
This is particularly important if you do not usually experience
ovulation pain, or if your experience of ovulation pain is usually
quite different.
Other possible explanations for abdominal pain which is not
ovulation pain, include:
- Ectopic pregnancy - when the fertilised egg
implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes -urgent
medical attention is needed
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or inflammation of
the fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis - when the endometrium (lining
of the uterus) grows outside the uterus, such as the ovary,
fallopian tubes, pelvic cavity or bowel
- Ovarian cyst
- Appendicitis
- Perforated ulcer
By Fran Molloy, journalist and mum of four