During ovulation, the ovary releases an egg, as well as follicular fluid and blood. For many women, the normal ovulation process causes no symptoms, but some regularly experience pain and discomfort during this phase. Symptoms are sometimes referred to as the German word "mittelschmerz", made up of the terms "mittel" (means, since ovulation occurs in the middle phase of the menstrual cycle) and "schmerz" (pain). This article will help you to be able to recognize and manage ovulation pain.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing Painful Ovulation
Step 1. Learn about the menstrual cycle
This term refers to the period from the first day of menstruation (this is called the "1st day" of the cycle) until the first day of the next menstruation. This period generally lasts 28 days, but if you write down your period on a calendar or chart, you may find that in some cases it is longer or shorter. During the first half of your cycle (before ovulation) you have your period, your uterine walls thicken again and hormones start to induce ovulation. During the second half of the month (after ovulation), the egg may be fertilized or the body is preparing to lose the lining of the uterus again.
- Your menstrual cycle may vary by a few days each month, but this is not a cause for concern.
- However, if it changes significantly (by a week or more over a period of several months), it is advisable to see a gynecologist.
- While there are several non-worrying reasons that lead to a change in cycle length, there may actually be others that need to be treated (such as polycystic ovary syndrome, when menstruation occurs irregularly due to hormonal imbalances); therefore it is always better to visit the doctor in case of doubts.
Step 2. How do you know when you are ovulating?
Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, so in women with an average cycle of 28 days, ovulation occurs around the 14th day. If you are concerned about painful ovulation, you can keep track of your menstrual cycles for a few months to keep track of the times.
- The second half of the menstrual cycle (after ovulation) is typically quite constant among women who have a regular 28-day cycle (14 days after menstruation begins). Therefore, if you notice longer or shorter intervals between menstruation (compared to the average duration of 28 days), know that ovulation occurs 14 days before the next menstruation starts.
- Keep in mind that ovulation occurs when the egg is released from the ovary. During this phenomenon the egg breaks the ovary membrane at the point of release and can cause bleeding, as well as a feeling of pressure. Many women do not feel this, while others feel some discomfort due to the blood in the abdominal cavity and the pressure against the ovary membrane.
Step 3. Pay attention to the symptoms
If you experience pain in the lower abdomen, pelvic area, or feel a sensation of pressure in the days in the middle of your monthly cycle and this discomfort goes away within a day without recurring until the next ovulation, then in all likelihood you have this problem (it could also pain caused by other internal organs, but if it is specific and recurs regularly most months, there is a high chance that you will suffer from painful ovulation).
- You may notice that the pain is present in only one side of the abdomen each time. This is because ovulation occurs only in the right or left ovary each month and can vary with each menstrual cycle (it does not alternate automatically, but occurs randomly on either side).
- Sometimes pain during ovulation is accompanied by mild vaginal bleeding, and you may even feel a little nauseous.
- This type of pain can last anywhere from a few hours up to two or three days.
- About 20% of women experience mid-cycle pain during ovulation. In most cases it is mild, but in others it can also be severe and unbearable.
Step 4. Discuss the problem with your doctor
As long as the symptoms are not severe, pain during ovulation is not dangerous. However, it is important to contact the gynecologist to rule out other possible causes of the malaise (such as an ovarian cyst, endometriosis or, if the pain is intense, in certain circumstances it could also be some more dangerous pathology that requires urgent care, such as appendicitis).
Part 2 of 2: Treating Painful Ovulation
Step 1. Wait
If your symptoms are mild or if they tend to go away quickly (some women may feel pain for even a few minutes), you probably don't need to do anything.
Step 2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen can help you manage pain. Follow the instructions on the package and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
- Keep in mind that the effect of individual drugs is totally subjective and some women may benefit more from one type than others. If you find that one medicine does not relieve your discomfort, do not hesitate to try another one that may be more suitable for managing the pain.
- Anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen and / or naproxen) can cause problems in those with kidney or stomach conditions. If you fall into this category, check with your doctor before taking these medications, or if after taking them you find you have stomach problems, contact your doctor for further advice.
Step 3. Use heat
Some women claim that an electric warmer can relieve symptoms. Place it on your lower abdomen area several times a day as needed.
- Heat is so effective because it increases blood flow to the painful area, relaxes the muscles and relieves cramps.
- Some women, on the other hand, benefit more from a cold pack or an ice pack, so you can try both techniques to figure out which is most effective for you.
Step 4. Take a bath
A warm or warm bath can act just like a warmer, because it relaxes and relieves symptoms.
Step 5. Consider taking birth control
If the symptoms are really bothersome, you can try taking hormonal contraceptives. The pill can prevent pregnancy, in part by blocking ovulation. If you start taking the birth control pill, you no longer ovulate, and consequently the pain associated with it disappears.
- Keep in mind that this is the only effective method of avoiding painful ovulation, as it completely blocks the ovulation process itself (by suppressing natural hormones and thus preventing the egg from being released).
- Therefore, this method is the most effective for managing ovulation pain when home remedies (such as heat or cold therapy) and over-the-counter medications are insufficient.
- Talk to your gynecologist to assess the advantages and disadvantages of birth control and whether it is the best solution for you. You can also write down your menstrual cycles for a few months and show the data to the doctor, so that he has a clear view of your malaise and can work out a more defined diagnosis.
Step 6. Look for symptoms to see if it is a more serious problem
For many women, ovulation pain is annoying, but it is considered an integral part of the usual menstrual cycle. However, if you have severe symptoms, be aware that this is not a normal situation. If the pain lasts more than two or three days or if you experience any of the symptoms described below, in addition to the normal discomfort in the mid-menstrual period, you should seek medical attention immediately:
- Fever;
- Painful urination
- Redness or inflammation of the skin in the pelvic or abdominal area
- Severe nausea or vomiting;
- Intense vaginal bleeding;
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Abdominal swelling.
Advice
- It can be helpful to keep track of your menstrual cycles for several reasons. First, it can help you confirm whether pain actually occurs with ovulation, but it can also help you understand more precisely when your period occurs, as well as pinpoint the period of greatest fertility. Also, if you suffer from "mittelschmerz" or other menstrual, reproductive or sexual problems, an accurate menstrual cycle diary can help your gynecologist make an accurate diagnosis and find the right treatments.
- You may also notice that the pain changes every month, moving from one side of the abdomen to the other. This is because ovulation can occur every month in one or the other ovary (although it does not alternate schematically and regularly, but happens randomly every time).
- Some women who have never suffered from ovulation pain in their teens and up to the age of 28-29 may begin to show symptoms by the age of 30. As long as the disturbances are minor and are not accompanied by other dangerous signals described above, they should not cause concern.
