Ovulation pain, also known as Mittelschmerz (German for "middle pain"), is a common, symptom that some women experience around the time of ovulation. It can range from a mild twinge to a sharp cramp.
Mittelschmerz may affect over 40% of women of reproductive age, and it occurs almost every month in these patients. So in this article, we’ll dive into what causes it, when it happens, and how you can track it to understand your cycle better.
What is Mittelschmerz?
Mittelschmerz refers to the discomfort or pain some women feel during ovulation. This pain is often described as a twinge, cramp, or sharp ache that occurs in the days leading up to ovulation when an egg is released from the ovary.
Though not everyone experiences it, if you do, it may be an additional sign that your body is doing its thing—releasing an egg for potential fertilization! Though it’s not the best ovulation indicator, it is a good addition to track on your menstrual cycle chart.
What Causes Pain During Ovulation?
The cause of ovulation pain isn’t fully understood, but there are two primary theories.
- One is that the developing follicle (the structure that holds the egg) stretches the ovary as it grows, leading to pain.
- Another possibility is that the release of blood at ovulation irritates the surrounding tissues in the abdomen, causing cramping.
How Long Can Ovulation Pain Last?
Ovulation pain typically lasts from a few minutes to a few hours, but in rare cases, it can last for up to a few days leading up to ovulation. If you experience discomfort, it’s usually short-lived, and many women find that it doesn’t interfere too much with daily life. However, if the pain is severe or persistent, we recommend speaking to your healthcare provider.
Where Do You Feel Ovulation Pain?
Ovulation pain is generally felt on one side of the abdomen or pelvis. Don’t be surprised if the pain shifts sides from cycle to cycle—this can be normal. Your body doesn't follow a strict schedule for alternating ovulation between ovaries each month. While ovulation can switch sides, it isn't a requirement. In fact, it's quite common for women to ovulate more frequently from one ovary than the other.
When Does Ovulation Pain Happen?
Ovulation pain tends to happen before, or during ovulation — Ovulation is the release of an egg (ovum) from one of the ovaries.
How Tempdrop Can Help
Tempdrop is a wearable device that helps you track your basal body temperature (BBT) throughout your cycle, making it easier to confirm when you have ovulated and monitor your overall cycle health.
You can add notes in the Tempdrop app, such as when you experience Mittelschmerz and alongside your BBT tracking, you can confirm ovulation when you see a rise in your temperatures (caused by the hormone progesterone). If you see a regular pattern of Mittelschmerz occurring before or around your temperature rise this will add to the knowledge of your own menstrual cycle and overall health.
You can also log symptoms like your period days, PMS symptoms and sleep tracking to help you understand your menstrual cycle.
