"Ovulation Pain and Cramps"
Learn Your Signs and Symptoms

Only about 20% of women feel ovulation pain, cramps, and/or aches. Sometimes it is just an after-thought or hind-sight that that little twinge could have been ovulation.

But many of us observing our signs and symptoms are very aware of every twinge, cramp, ache, and pain in the mid section when we get close to ovulating.

Sometimes the pains can come on strong and go just as quickly with one or several sharp stabbing cramps. And for others it can last as a dull ache or cramping for several days. You may be able to tell from which ovary the egg came from, if the ovulation pain is on one side of you abdomen.

Mittelschmerz (German for middle pain) is a medical term for ovulation pain or mid-cycle pain.

Is pain during ovulation normal?

There is nothing to indicate that the cramps and pains we feel are abnormal. Women have been feeling pain with ovulation for centuries. Other than severe pain, feeling ovulation pain is neither harmful nor signifies the presence of disease. The only treatment you may need is over-the-counter pain relievers if the pain is prolonged and uncomfortable.

Painful ovulation, if it is severe, could be something of concern, however. You should consult with your practitioner. Tests may be done to rule out other abdominal problems or diseases you may have such as PCOS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, etc. Or non-reproductive related concerns such as gas or appendicitis.

What causes ovulation pains and cramps?

• Ovarian Wall Rupture: When the egg is released for the dominant ovarian follicle, it must pop through the wall of the ovary as there is no opening. This can cause pain at the moment of ovulation.
• Irritation: Also when ovulation occurs the follicle that released the egg contains blood and fluids that can irritate your abdominal lining.
• Follicular Swelling: As follicles grow several eggs inside both ovaries, this swelling can cause aching on both sides of the abdomen.
• Fallopian Tube Contraction: After an egg is released it travels down the fallopian tube with the help of contractions which can cause pains and aches.

When it comes to predicting when you ovulate, pain and cramping during ovulation should not be the primary or only focus for detection.

This sign is considered secondary. And should be used in conjunction with primary signs such as observing cervical mucus, cervical position, and basal body temperature changes.

This is because it is not very reliable by itself. There are too many other things going on in your body that could mimic ovulation pain, cramps, or aches. For instance, gas pains.

Related pages

When Does Ovulation Occur? | Is Pain In Uterus a Conception Symptom? | Ways to Get Pregnant | Ovulation Predictor Kit | Ovulation Bleeding | Fertile Cervical Mucus vs Hostile Cervical Mucus | Most Fertile Days | Getting Pregnant Positions | Fertility Monitor | Fertility Herbs |