Ovulation Pain: Symptoms and Timing Explained

Symptoms of suspected ovulation pain?

Doctor, my menstruation lasted from March 6 to March 11, a total of six days.
My average cycle is about 30 days.
I have been avoiding sexual intercourse according to the ovulation date or ovulation period indicated by my app, as I am not looking to conceive so soon.
According to the app, my ovulation date was March 21.
However, two days later, on March 23, I experienced abdominal discomfort, sometimes feeling pain on the left side and sometimes on the right side.
Is this what is referred to as ovulation pain? If so, does that mean I would ovulate within 12 to 24 hours? Thank you.

Joanne, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/03/30

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

My menstrual period lasted from March 6 to March 11, totaling six days.
My average cycle is about 30 days.
I have been avoiding sexual intercourse according to the ovulation date or ovulation period indicated by the app, as I am not looking to conceive so soon.
According to the app's calculations, my ovulation date was March 21.
However, two days later (on March 23), I experienced abdominal discomfort, with pain sometimes on the left side and sometimes on the right side.
I would like to ask the doctor if this is what is referred to as ovulation pain? If so, does this mean that I would ovulate within 12 to 24 hours? It is possible that ovulation has already occurred.

Reply Date: 2019/03/30

More Info

Ovulation pain, also known as mittelschmerz, is a common phenomenon experienced by many women during their menstrual cycle. It typically occurs around the time of ovulation, which is when an ovary releases an egg. For women with a regular cycle, ovulation usually occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period. Given your cycle length of approximately 30 days, ovulation would indeed be expected around day 14, which aligns with your app's prediction of March 21.

The symptoms you describe—abdominal discomfort that alternates between the left and right sides—are consistent with ovulation pain. This discomfort can vary in intensity and may last from a few minutes to a few hours, although some women report it lasting up to a couple of days. The pain is often localized to one side of the abdomen, depending on which ovary is releasing the egg. This is because the pain is associated with the stretching of the ovarian follicle and the release of the egg, which can irritate the surrounding tissues.

In terms of timing, ovulation typically occurs about 12 to 24 hours after the onset of ovulation pain. Therefore, if you experienced discomfort on March 23, it is plausible that ovulation occurred around that time, especially if your cycle is regular. However, it is important to note that the exact timing can vary from cycle to cycle and from woman to woman.

In addition to pain, some women may experience other symptoms during ovulation, such as changes in cervical mucus (which may become clearer and more slippery), mild breast tenderness, or even slight spotting. These symptoms are due to hormonal changes that occur during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle.

If you find that the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as heavy bleeding, fever, or nausea, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider. While ovulation pain is generally benign, it can sometimes be confused with other conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease, which may require medical attention.

In summary, based on your description, it is likely that you are experiencing ovulation pain. This is a normal part of the menstrual cycle for many women and typically does not indicate any underlying health issues. However, if you have any concerns or if the pain significantly impacts your daily life, seeking medical advice would be beneficial.

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