Have you ever experienced a dull ache or discomfort in your lower abdomen about two weeks before your period starts? This symptom may actually be called “ovulation pain”. If you feel pain in your abdomen when you are not on your period, you may worry that you may be suffering from some kind of illness.
In this article, we will explain in detail the causes, symptoms, and remedies for ovulation pain.
What are the symptoms of ovulation pain? When does it happen?
Ovulation pain is a pain in the lower abdomen, but some people may not know what it is. Let’s start with the symptoms of ovulation pain and when it occurs.
Symptoms of ovulation pain
Ovulation pain, as the name suggests, is pain caused by ovulation. It is not something that happens to all women who ovulate but is said to be experienced by one in two women between their late teens and mid-40s. This means that one out of every two women who ovulate suffers from ovulation pain.
Ovulation pain is characterized by a tingling pain in the lower abdomen as if a needle is being inserted. The intensity of the pain varies from person to person, with some people needing painkillers, while others may find it “somewhat bothersome”.
For those with severe pain, daily life can be difficult even after taking painkillers, so it should not be underestimated as “just ovulation pain”. The length of time the pain lasts varies from person to person, but in most cases, it will subside in about one to three days.
When does ovulation pain occur?
If your menstrual cycle is around 28 days, ovulation occurs around the 14th day after your period starts. Therefore, lower abdominal pain felt about two weeks after your period is most likely ovulation pain.
However, the day of ovulation may vary slightly depending on your physical condition at the time. In order to determine if it is indeed ovulation pain, it is best to measure your basal body temperature on a daily basis.
After the first day of menstruation, your body temperature will remain low for a while, but after ovulation, it will enter the high-temperature phase and your basal body temperature will rise rapidly. If you experience pain in the lower abdomen at the same time as your basal body temperature rises, you can rest assured that it is probably due to ovulation pain. However, if the pain is too strong or lasts for more than a week, please see your obstetrician for a checkup just in case.
Here’s how to deal with ovulation pain.
Even though it is necessary for pregnancy, suffering from ovulation pain every month can be painful. If you have menstrual cramps, you may wish that you could do something about it. Here are a few tips on how to deal with ovulation pain. Try them before the symptoms get too strong.
Adjust your lifestyle
If your lifestyle is disordered, you are more likely to experience ovulation pain and other health problems caused by ovulation. It is recommended that you consume a nutritionally balanced diet and do light exercise such as walking two to three times a week.
Also, when it comes to sleep, quality is important. Instead of aiming to sleep for a long time, try to go to bed and wake up at a fixed time every day, refrain from watching things that wake up your brain such as smartphones and computers one to two hours before going to bed, and take other measures that will help you sleep well.
Warm your body from the inside and out
Warming the body is another effective way to relieve ovulation pain. Here are some ways to warm up your body
- Warm your lower abdomen with a disposable heat pack or hot water bottle.
- Take a bath instead of taking a shower.
- Use scarves, gloves, leg warmers, etc. to keep warm in winter.
- Warm yourself from the inside out by cooking with ginger, chili peppers, and other seasonal foods.
- Drink hot or room temperature beverages.
When taking a bath, use lukewarm water and take a long bath, as too hot water will put unnecessary strain on the body. Also, wearing tight underwear, pants, or other clothing that constricts the body will reduce blood circulation and lead to a cold body. When you have ovulation pain, it is recommended to wear loose clothing as much as possible.
Relieve stress
Be aware that stress can also worsen ovulation pain. If you feel that you are about to ovulate, try to do some light exercise or take up a hobby to avoid stress. Excessive stress can also worsen menstrual cramps, so it is recommended that you make an effort to avoid it on a daily basis.
Take medication
If the pain is still painful even after improving your life, take painkillers instead of holding them back. Painkillers are more effective if you take them before the pain gets too bad. Also, if you take the pill, ovulation itself will be suppressed, so there will be no pain. However, it is not possible to get pregnant while taking the pill. If you wish to become pregnant, please consult with your doctor about the duration and timing before taking the pill.
Conclusion
For some people, ovulation pain can be a dull ache that lingers even after using painkillers, and some people may be worried that they may be suffering from a disease. However, ovulation pain itself is not a disease; it is caused by hormonal balance or the follicular fluid that flows out when the follicle breaks and stimulates the peritoneum. If you experience pain, you can relieve the symptoms to some extent by taking appropriate measures.
Ovulation pain can be painful, but ovulation is a necessary phenomenon for a woman’s body to get pregnant. Let’s find a way to deal with it so that the pain is relieved and we can live with it.
