Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz), what are the causes and treatment?

Just like menstruation, ovulation is a thing that must be experienced by normal women every month. But the difference, ovulation, aka the release of an egg from the ovary, is usually not realized because the signs are very faint. However, in some women the ovulation process is often painful. In media terms this condition is called mittelschmerz which means ovulation pain.

Overview of ovulation pain (mittelschmerz)

Mittelschmerz is a German term which means sick in the middle. This term is used to describe pain in the middle of the menstrual cycle, which is about 14 days before it starts. This pain usually appears in the lower abdomen, on one side of the abdomen or pelvis.

The location of the pain usually depends on which ovary releases an egg during the cycle. Is it the right ovary or the left. The pain you feel can generally last a few minutes to hours.

Causes of ovulation pain (mittelschmerz)

During ovulation, the follicular cyst will swell and burst to release an egg. This condition is usually triggered by the luteinizing hormone (LH) in the body. After the egg (ovum) is released, the fallopian tubes will contract to help the ovum go to the sperm.

Furthermore, blood and other fluids from these ruptured follicles can enter the abdominal cavity and pelvis during the process. This condition can irritate the abdominal cavity and pelvis.

This is what triggers the appearance of pain during ovulation. In addition, quoted from Healthline, there are other health problems that can also trigger ovulation pain, such as:

Ovarian cysts
Endometriosis
Adhesion
Sexually transmitted diseases
Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb)

Ovulation pain symptoms (Mittelschmerz)

Ovulation pain is usually characterized by symptoms that include:

Fever
Pain in the lower abdomen
Stomach cramps
The pain was quite sharp and sudden
Light vaginal discharge or bleeding
Persistent pain
As well as nausea and vomiting

To find out whether what you are experiencing is included in the mittelschmerz or not, make a special note of when this pain comes. If it occurs in the middle of a menstrual cycle and often goes away without treatment, you are likely experiencing mittelschmerz.

Ovulation pain treatment (Mittelschmerz)

This pain due to ovulation usually goes away within 24 hours. Therefore, it does not actually require special treatment for this condition. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are usually effective enough to help relieve pain.

In addition, putting a hot water bottle (compress) on the stomach can also help reduce pain. Alternatively, you can also take a warm bath or shower to relax your stomach. For the pain that is severe enough, the doctor can prescribe a combination birth control pill.

When to see a doctor for ovulation pain?

Usually the Mittelschmerz condition will go away on its own without the need for drugs or medical assistance. However, you need to get it checked out if the pain is unbearable and is accompanied by various symptoms, such as:

Gag
Rash on the painful area
Pain when urinating
Fever
Pain for more than one day

The reason is, these symptoms can be signals that the body is giving to let you know that there is a problem that is more serious than just ovulation pain.