When you ovulate, your ovary releases an egg.Many women don't experience symptoms when they ovulate, but some do.These symptoms are sometimes called "mittelschmerz", from the German words for "middle" and "pain." Here you can find out how to identify and cope with painful ovulation.
Step 1: Understand your menstrual cycle.
Your menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of your period to the next day.If you chart your periods on a calendar, you may notice that your cycle is longer or shorter.During the first half of your menstrual cycle, you menstruate, your uterus enlarges, and hormones work to get you pregnant.During the second half of your menstrual cycle, an egg is fertilized or the body prepares to shed the uterus.Your menstrual cycle can vary by a few days each month, and this is not something to worry about.It is best to see your doctor if you have a menstrual cycle that varies by a week or more over a period of several months.If you're in doubt, a doctor's advice is always best, as there are some causes for variable periods that can be helped with treatment.
Step 2: You should know when you ovulate.
For women with a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs around Day 14.Charts for a few months can help you confirm the timing if you think you are experiencing painful ovulation.The second half of the menstrual cycle usually lasts 14 days before your next period begins.If you happen to have a longer or shorter interval between periods, you should know that ovulation can be calculated by charting 14 days prior to the start of each period.When the egg is released by the ovary, it's ovulation.Bleeding and a pressure sensation can accompany the rupturing of the ovary at the location where the egg exits.For many women, this goes unrecognized, but for some it can be a source of pain.
Step 3: You should note your symptoms.
If you experience pain around the middle of your menstrual cycle, and it doesn't reappear until you ovulate again, you probably have painful ovulation.It could be pain from other internal organs, but it's usually from ovulation.The pain seems to be on one side of the abdomen at a time.This is due to the fact that ovulation occurs on one side or the other, and this varies with each menstrual cycle.You may experience vaginal bleeding and nausea during ovulation.The pain from ovulation lasts from a few hours to a couple of days.Approximately 20% of women experience pain during menstruation.In most cases, it is mild, but in some cases it can be unbearable.
Step 4: Follow your doctor's instructions.
Painful ovulation is probably harmless if the symptoms are not severe.It is important to see your doctor to rule out other possible causes of your pain, such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or if the pain is worse in any particular episode it may be a more severe and urgent condition.
Step 5: Wait it out.
If your symptoms are small or disappear quickly, you don't need to do anything.
Step 6: Take over-the-counter remedies.
Ibuprofen and naproxen should help relieve your symptoms.Do not exceed the recommended dose if you follow the instructions on the label.Different women find different over-the-counter pain medications to be more effective than others.Do not hesitate to try another type of medication if you find that one doesn't work well for you.Ibuprofen and naproxen can be problematic for people who have been diagnosed with a stomach or kidneys problem.Don't use if you fall into either of these categories.If you notice symptoms of upset stomach after taking the medication, consult your physician.
Step 7: Use heat.
Women say a heating pad alleviates their symptoms.Repeatedly apply the heating pad to the lower abdomen.The reason heat works so well is that it increases blood flow to the area of pain.Some women report that a cold pack or cold compress can help to alleviate ovarian pain associated with ovulation, so you can try both heat and cold and see what works best for you.
Step 8: Take a bath.
A hot bath can help you relax and relieve your symptoms.
Step 9: Take birth control pills.
Hormonal contraceptive pills can be used if your symptoms are very bad.Birth control pills prevent pregnancies by stopping ovulation.You will no longer ovulate if you start taking birth control pills.Birth control pills are the only way to prevent ovulatory pain as they stop your natural hormones and therefore prevent ovulation.If home remedies and over-the-counter medications are insufficient, birth control pills are the most effective mode of treatment.Discuss the pros and cons of birth control pills with your doctor.If you want to chart your menstrual cycle over a few months time, you can bring this to your doctor so that he or she can have a better idea of what's going on.
Step 10: There are some symptoms of a more serious problem.
Painstakingly ovulating is a normal part of the menstrual cycle for many women.Serious symptoms are not normal.If your pain lasts longer than two or three days, or if you experience any of the following symptoms along with the usual mid-cycle pain, seek medical treatment immediately.