The medical word for the development of lower abdomen pain that some women experience during ovulation is Mittelschmerz (Mittelschmerz). The word mittelschmerz itself is German and means “moderate pain”.
One in every five women has pain during ovulation on a regular basis, and nearly half of all women have had this type of discomfort at least once in their life.
Pain during ovulation is extremely infrequent and usually does not necessitate medical attention.
SYMPTOMS
The pain that happens during ovulation is usually mild and lasts only a few minutes, but it can last up to 48 hours.
It appears in the lower abdomen, usually on one side, leading some women to believe it is an appendix irritation. Which ovary releases the egg during the cycle determines which side of the pain is on. Pain can occasionally be felt on both sides.
The severity and type of pain differs from one woman to the next. The intensity and type of pain varies in different women. Some feel dull pain, and others a brief sudden sharp pain.
How do you know if it is ovulation pain?
The pain will come in the midst of the menstrual cycle, during the ovulation time, if it is ovulation pain. Ovulation normally occurs on the 14th day of a 28-day cycle for a woman.
As a result, if you periodically get pain on one side of your lower abdomen, check to see if you’re ovulating.
When to seek medical help?
In most cases, painful ovulation does not cause problems for women and no treatment is needed. However, if the following symptoms occur during ovulation, you should seek professional medical help:
- severe pain followed by vomiting, dizziness or fever;
- severe pain lasting more than 2-3 days;
- severe pain on the right side followed by loss of appetite, vomiting and dizziness (symptoms of appendicitis);
- painful urination;
- vaginal bleeding.
How to reduce pain?
If the pain is bearable, you can reduce it yourself and feel better. In such a case:
- lie down and rest;
- get enough fluids;
- place a warm pillow or hot water bottle on the side of your stomach where you feel pain;
- take a hot shower or lie down in a tub full of hot water.
If the pain is unbearable and occurs every month, consult a doctor about the possibility of taking birth control pills. Contraceptive pills prevent ovulation, and thus the occurrence of pain during ovulation, because pain of this type occurs only when the ovary releases an egg.
