Your monthly menstrual cycle can involve pelvic pain at several points along the way. Severe pelvic pain should be checked out by a women’s health professional. However, mild to moderate pelvic pain may be normal and not a cause for concern. Still, you want to stay informed about your health and any potential pain issues.
At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, located in Odessa, Texas, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Mary Grace Bridges provides education and care about the impacts of your monthly cycle on your physical health and wellness. While menstrual cramps around your monthly period are likely to be familiar, you might not know about “mittelschmerz,” or pelvic pain that occurs during the middle of your cycle. Why does this happen, and what should you do about it?
At the mid-point of your menstrual cycle, your body ovulates. That means that your ovary releases an egg, which then starts its journey through your fallopian tubes. Typically, ovulation starts about two weeks before the beginning of your next menstrual period.
If you experience mittelschmerz, you’re likely ovulating. Some people notice physically uncomfortable symptoms as the egg passes out of the ovary. Your pain may be constant or intermittent, and may be felt on one side or in the middle of your abdomen. Severe mittelschmerz pains can even feel like a case of appendicitis.
Your symptoms likely won’t last for long. Ovulation may be over in just a few minutes, or an hour or two. If pain lasts for longer than a moment, you may also be experiencing irritation due to a small amount of normal bleeding connected with the egg release.
If you regularly notice mid-cycle pain, talk to Dr. Bridges about your symptoms, including any related fever, nausea, urinary changes, or digestive complaints. She can confirm that your pain is connected to ovulation by noting the time in your cycle when your symptoms occur, the location of the pain you experience, or with a blood test, X-ray, or pelvic ultrasound.
In most cases, mittelschmerz isn’t a cause for medical concern. You can alleviate temporary discomfort with over-the-counter pain medicines like ibuprofen if needed. You may also opt to prevent monthly ovulation by taking hormonal birth control.
If you experience severe pain, unusual co-occurring symptoms like fever or vomiting, or if Dr. Bridges’ examination discovers unusual abdominal tenderness or a medical issue like an enlarged ovary, you may need other types of treatment. Dr. Bridges discusses your condition and her findings with you, keeping you in the loop about your treatment needs and options.
Be sure to reach out to Dr. Bridges and the care team at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin if your mid-cycle pain symptoms last for more than a day, or if you missed your last expected menstrual period.
For expert, compassionate, and confidential support with pelvic pain and menstrual cycle concerns, contact Women's Health Partners of the Permian Basin online or over the phone today and schedule an appointment.
