Introduction
Abdominal pain during ovulation occurs in many women. Almost half of all women are affected. These abdominal pains are called moderate pain or intermenstrual pain and can last for varying lengths of time.
For some women, the pain lasts only a few minutes, while for others it can last for days. The intensity with which the pain occurs also varies greatly. Some women only notice a slight pulling in the abdomen, while other women experience very severe abdominal pain or even abdominal cramps.
These can occur with every cycle or very irregularly. Ovulation takes place in the middle of the female menstrual cycle, i.e. on day 14 in a regular 28-day cycle. One of the eggs, which have previously matured in the ovaries, is released from the ovary at ovulation and enters the fallopian tube where it can be fertilised when it meets a sperm cell.
The pain is probably caused by the muscle contractions that lead to the ejection of the egg. The days around ovulation are considered the woman’s fertile days. Since an egg is only ejected from one of the two ovaries in each cycle, moderate pain is usually unilateral abdominal pain.
However, the location can vary from time to time, depending on which of the ovaries is currently active. This allows them to be clearly distinguished from menstrual pain that occurs during or before menstruation, as this pain is bilateral or extensive. Depending on the intensity of the pain, it may also radiate into the back and occasionally there is a little bleeding during the middle period.
However, these are harmless. However, if the abdominal pain lasts longer than 2 to 3 days or increases in intensity, a doctor should be consulted. It could be caused by other serious diseases.
These include appendicitis, inflammation of the ovary and/or fallopian tubes or other inflammatory bowel diseases. Kidney stones or inflammation of the stomach lining should also be considered in cases of severe pain. Likewise, an ectopic pregnancy can cause symptoms similar to those of middle pain. In this case, fever and bleeding are often added to the unilateral abdominal pain. An ectopic pregnancy can take a very serious course and a doctor should be consulted immediately if there is any suspicion.
Pain due to ovulation or nesting of the egg?
The implantation of a fertilised egg in the lining of the uterus occurs about one week after ovulation. After the mature egg has been ejected from the ovary, it begins its journey through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If it meets a sperm cell within the first 24 hours after ovulation, fertilisation takes place.
The fertilised egg then produces certain hormones which prepare the lining of the uterus for the imminent implantation. During implantation itself, parts of the fertilised egg penetrate the lining of the uterus. This can cause the woman to bleed slightly and cause slight pain.
These can be similar to the mid-pain when ovulation occurs. Just like these, they can manifest themselves differently from woman to woman, and can be of varying intensity and duration. However, the abdominal pain caused by implantation usually occurs in the middle of the lower abdomen, as it is localised in the uterus.
The difference to the abdominal pain during ovulation is the time in which it occurs. Middle pain occurs at the time of ovulation, whereas abdominal pain occurs about a week later when a fertilised egg is implanted. However, many women do not feel the implantation at all.
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