Is This Ovulation Pain Or Something Else?

Ovulation pain may be mild in some women but very disabling for others. Some women also wonder aloud if ‘if this recurrent lower abdominal pain’ that occurs at the middle of my cycle is normal or not.

In the emergency room setting, some women( especially the those is their 20s) with ovulation pain may present just like patients with appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy!

I will like to look at what ovulation pain is as well as its characteristics and treatment strategies.

What is ovulation pain?

It is simply lower abdominal pain associated with the process of ovulation. It also called Middle pain, Mid Cycle pain or Mittelschmerz (pronounced MITT-ul-shmurz). In the average 28 day cycle, it usually occurs at the middle of the cycle, about 2 weeks before menses, hence the synonym names of Mid cycle pain or Middle pain.

The pain is located at the side of the ovary that ovulates and so can switch from side to side depending on the ovulating ovary. This pain is not menstrual cramps, which occur during menstrual flow.
About 20% of women experience this middle pain, some every cycle while others have the pain only intermittently.

Characteristics

Because ovulation pain can easily be mixed up with some other illness, it is prudent to know the characteristics of Middle pain. However, many women who have been having such pain usually have little difficulty identifying it. Such women should also be cautious whenever they realize subtle changes of the underlying pain pattern.

Ovulation pain is characterized by the following

• One-sided location in the lower abdomen or pelvis. Rarely on both sides.
• Recurrent or with similar pain in past
• Typically lasting minutes to a few hours, possibly as long as 2-3 days
• Usually sharp, cramping, distinctive pain
• Usually mild. Rarely severe
• May switch sides from month to month or from one episode to another
• Begins midway through the menstrual cycle

Remember, not all pain that occurs during the ovulatory period is ovulation or mid cycle pain! Seek medical care in the following cases

1. Vaginal bleeding occurring. Note that mild mid cycle bleeding may occur due to normal ovulation itself. Vaginal bleeding may be a sign of serious conditions such as an ectopic pregnancy so do not hesitate to seek medical care if there is any doubt.
2. If there are other symptoms such as fever, nausea or vomiting. Appendicitis is a one of the causes of acute lower abdominal pain in women that can mimic ovulation pain in some women.