Mittelschmerz Matters: How To Navigate Ovulation Pain

Being a woman is not a monolithic experience. It is a fabric woven from countless threads, each representing a unique aspect of life- identities and emotions that make womanhood a diverse experience. Together, they weave a fabric of strength, beauty, and resilience textured by challenges and triumphs.

Medically, intermenstrual pain is known as Mittelschmerz. It is a German word meaning middle pain and occurs in the middle of the female cycle. 20% of women experience intermenstrual pelvic pain, which is rarely severe and reminds us of the body’s rhythms.

Before ovulation (shedding of the ova), follicle growth distends the surface of the ovary and causes pain. At the time of ovulation, if the follicle enveloping the egg ruptures, blood is released, irritating the abdominal lining and resulting in pain. Ovulatory pain occurs on the side that releases the egg. If the right ovary releases the egg, women experience pain on the right side.

 The occurrence of Mittelschmerz does not indicate illness. Women who present it have an advantage when planning or avoiding pregnancy since the pain tells the exact moment when they are ovulating, that is, the moment of maximum fertility.

Medically, intermenstrual pain is known as Mittelschmerz. It is a German word meaning middle pain and occurs in the middle of the female cycle. 20% of women experience intermenstrual pelvic pain, which is rarely severe and reminds us of the body’s rhythms.

Before ovulation (shedding of ova), follicle growth distends the surface of the ovary and causes pain. At the time of ovulation, if the follicle enveloping the egg ruptures, blood is released and it irritates the abdominal lining, resulting in pain. Ovulatory pain occurs on the side that releases the egg. If the right ovary releases the egg, women experience pain on the right side.

 The occurrence of Mittelschmerz does not indicate illness. Women who present it have an advantage when planning or avoiding pregnancy since the pain tells the exact moment when they are ovulating, that is, the moment of maximum fertility.

Adriana Wong, MD MPH explains the cause of Mittelschmerz, citing a video from the Planck Institute.

Ovulation marks the beginning of a journey. Eggs develop in the ovary in ovarian follicles. When an ovarian follicle matures, it ruptures and releases a mature egg into the fallopian tube where it fertilizes before being implanted in the uterus. The released egg stays in the fallopian tube for two days. If the egg does not fertilize the egg disintegrates and the menstrual phase begins.

Despite the challenges, women have remarkable strength and resilience. The journey to womanhood is a testament to its complexity and beauty, where every challenge contributes to shaping a unique and extraordinary story.

References:

1. Brott, Nathan R., and Jacqueline K. Le. “Mittelschmerz.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549822/.

2. M, Anjini, Ramnihor Tapsi Jaiswal, Manohar Ram, and Anjana Saxena. “A Critical Study of Artavavaha Srotas w.s.r. to Vandhyatva (Infertility).” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 9, no. 7 (September 29, 2024): 100–108. https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.9.7.13.

By Dr. Swati Sharma