Pelvic pain (pain of ovulation)

General or Other | - Others | Pelvic pain (pain of ovulation) (Disease)


Description

Pelvic pain (pain of ovulation) is when women experience pain or cramps between periods. This type of pain is also called Mittelschmerz.

Mittelschmerz is pelvic pain and cramps that occur during ovulation in some women. The word Mittelschmerz originates from Germany and translated means middle pain. You may hear Mittelschmerz called various terms including painful ovulation, mid-cycle pain, and middle cramps or pain.

Painful ovulation or mid-cycle pain affects about twenty percent of women. Although the pain may feel like something serious is wrong, painful ovulation or is rarely serious. However, for some women, the pain can be severe enough to be disabling and can even be confused with appendicitis.

Occasionally, in addition to mid cycle pain and cramping, some women may experience nausea, and/or light menstrual spotting. Mittelschmerz lasts for 6 to 8 hours in most women; still, occasionally it can last as long as twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

Causes and Risk factors

Painful ovulation/mittelschmerz is believed to be caused by a small leakage of blood from the ovary that occurs at the time of ovulation. This blood, which is later reabsorbed, is thought to cause an irritation of the abdominal wall which causes pain.

Ovulation usually occurs about two weeks after the first day of each menstrual cycle, so the timing of the pain makes mittelschmerz easy to recognize.

Because the pain of ovulation can be anxiety-provoking and, if severe enough, can be confused with appendicitis, one should be careful not to get misled into undergoing unnecessary gynecologic surgery when dealing with painful ovulation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The treatment of pelvic pain varies depending on the cause, how intense the pain is, and how often the pain occurs. Sometimes pelvic pain is treated with medications, including antibiotics if necessary. If the pain results from a problem with one of the pelvic organs, the treatment may involve surgery or other procedures. A doctor can provide more information about various treatments for pelvic pain. ...