Ovulation pain is experienced at least once by up to 50% of women, with about 20% of women experiencing ovulation pain every month. What is ovulation pain? What causes it? And is ovulation pain a reliable ovulation sign?
Ovulation pain, or pain around the time of ovulation, varies from woman to woman. Some experience a dull, achy feeling, which lasts for a few hours or even over a couple days. Other women experience a sudden, sharp pain, lasting just a moment. Ovulation pain is typically mild in nature, but it's been known to land some women in the emergency room, for suspected appendicitis. Though such a severe reaction is rare, it does happen.
Another term for ovulation pain is mittelschmerz, which is German for “middle pain,” referring to the mid-way point in a woman's cycle when ovulation takes place.
Ovulation pain does seem to coincide with ovulation, with one study finding that ovulation pain came on the same day that the hormone LH peaked. (LH is the hormone detected by ovulation predictor kits, and generally signals your most fertile time.) Another study confirmed ovulation using ultrasound, finding that ovulation occurred within a couple days after reporting of ovulation pain.
However, a bit of gas could be mistaken for ovulation pain, and some women may feel twinges after ovulation. I wouldn’t recommend using ovulation pain as a primary way to detect your fertile window, but it can help confirm other signs of ovulation.
No one is really sure what causes ovulation pain. A few theories are that the extra fluid, released when the follicle ruptures releasing the egg, causes some irritation, leading to a dull ache. Another theory is that the sharp, sudden pain some women feel may be caused by the egg itself, bursting out from the follicle. Spasms of the fallopian tubes or uterus as ovulation approaches may be another possible cause.
While ovulation pain is common, severe pain around ovulation should be checked out, especially if you're taking fertility drugs. Severe stomach pain that comes during or just after ovulation, while taking fertility drugs, could be a sign of ovulation hyperstimulation syndrome.
If the pain is severe, or is accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, or trouble breathing, contact a doctor right away.
Also, if you find yourself experiencing pain around ovulation that interferes with your daily life, or makes timing sex for pregnancy difficult, you should let your doctor know. Intense pelvic pain around the time of ovulation can also be a symptom of endometriosis.
Sources:
Hann LE, Hall DA, Black EB, Ferrucci JT Jr. “Mittelschmerz. Sonographic demonstration.” Journal of the American Medical Association. Jun 22 1979; 241(25):2731-2.
Marinho AO, Sallam HN, Goessens L, Collins WP, Campbell S. “Ovulation side and occurrence of mittelschmerz in spontaneous and induced ovarian cycles.” British Medical Journal. Feb 27, 1982; 284(6316):632.
