Have you ever had pain that mimics your period cramps, but it occurs in the middle of your cycle? Mittelschmerz, also known as ovulation pain, affects approximately 40% of women. The pain typically occurs on one side of your lower abdomen between days 7 and 24 of a woman’s menstrual cycle. This takes place on the same side as the ovary that has released an egg, which typically alternates between sides every other month. The pain varies in severity from mild to excruciating pain.
What causes ovulation pain?
The exact cause is unknown. It may be due to the follicle growth stretching the ovary right before the egg is released. Or it may be from the fluid and blood that is released from the ruptured follicle. Although we don’t know the exact cause, we do know that ovulation pain is real.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mittelschmerz/symptoms-causes/syc-20375122#:~:text=Just%20before%20an%20egg%20is,peritoneum)%2C%20leading%20to%20pain.
https://europepmc.org/article/MED/31747229/NBK549822#free-full-text
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