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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think horrendous pain from ovulation isn't right?

56 replies

Skatastic · 23/04/2021 20:41

Currently on my 10th month or so of horrendous what I assume is ovulation pain. My belly swells up like I've been blown up by a pump, it hurts to move, it feels like my insides are being stabbed by hot pokers. The only thing to help is time and not moving - it tends to go overnight.

Asked the GP and he said IBS but I never have symptoms any other times of the month? It's always on ovulation day (I track my cycles and don't take the pill).

It is really, really annoying me and no amount of googling helps. Has anyone had this and fixed it? I was meant to be going to a friend's garden for a wine but instead I'm laying in bed with hot water bottles all over.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 23/04/2021 21:32

When I had pain like you describe it was caused by a large ovarian cyst. The pain went away as soon as it was removed.

Toomanyradishes · 23/04/2021 21:32

I have this, I used to just have the small amount of pain at ovulation, enough to know I am ovulating and which side but nothing more. Now I get terrible cramps and pain but only when I ovulate on my left side so theres definitely something going on there

Hangingover · 23/04/2021 21:35

I get it lasting all bloody week, it's horrible

eurochick · 23/04/2021 21:37

I get this too. I've always been able to feel ovulation but it has only been really painful since I had a section. I'm pretty sure it's endo but I'm perimenopausal and hoping I can just ride it out until my periods stop as I don't want surgery.

OpusAnglicanum · 23/04/2021 21:51

Stabbing pain like a hot needle? Bloating and tenderness? Check. I was admitted to hospital once as the walk-in GP thought it might be appendicitis and sent me to A and E.

Apparently, ‘just’ Mittelschmerz. However, in my case I’ve had it on and off since my teens. If it’s a new symptom for you, definitely ask for a scan.

Namechange600 · 23/04/2021 21:54

Another one saying look into endometriosis and adenomyosis.
I had severe ovulation pain and terrible periods and I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis. Good luck x

CaptainMerica · 23/04/2021 21:54

Yep, it was horrendous for me, and got much worse after getting a copper coil. I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I've switched to a mirena, which has made a life changing difference.

Racingadmin · 23/04/2021 21:58

Has this - was told ovarian cysts that occasionally burst. Was actually operated on once as suspected ectopic but was 'just' a cyst bursting - had a missed miscarriage diagnosed 3 days later .

Had endometrial ablation through private medical and it no longer happens. No bleeding either but still get the pmt type symptoms as I ovulate but no longer bleed . Private gynae said nhs was wrong and I had endometriosis

optimistic40 · 23/04/2021 21:58

Yes, I had bad ovulation pain. During my op for ectopic pregnancy, they discovered that my organs (ovary and bowel) were stuck together with adhesions. It got much better after they performed surgery on it. However, I have noticed it creeping back (not as bad) 6/7 years on... they did say that it might happen and there's not much that they can do.

InpatientGardener · 23/04/2021 22:11

I have had this a handful of times, the first time I actually went to A&E and was admitted, had some scans and they said it was a follicular cyst bursting with ovulation. It is awful though, I literally can't stand up straight when I have it and also feel incredibly bloated. I've often wondered if I have endo so its interesting to see there might be a link.

Rupertbeartrousers · 23/04/2021 22:17

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

I get it. It's a thing. It's called Mittelschmertz.
This,

My friend is crippled on the floor by this, lasts a couple of hours, I’ve never seen someone in so much pain

Em308 · 23/04/2021 22:17

When I came off the pill, trying to conceive, I had horrendous bloating and pain on my ovulation day but only ever on the left side. The pain was so bad that having sex was awful, which is not great when you’re trying to get pregnant!

PatsyJStone · 23/04/2021 22:35

No c section, intense crippling completely debilitating pains just before and during ovulation, take codeine for it as nothing else has any effect. Have fibroids and ovarian cyst. Not got to the point of operating yet.

getyourfreakon · 23/04/2021 22:37

Mittelschmerz. I have it, my mum did too. I'd keel over sideways with it and couldn't get up until it passed. No endo here. On the bright side I knew and it was later confirmed exactly which ovary my DD came from! I've been on the pill for years but every now and then I keel over just the same after feeling a big pop.

getyourfreakon · 23/04/2021 22:38

Have wondered if that's a cyst popping.

3JsMa · 23/04/2021 22:38

Yes it's very painful,I have it but only on the left ovary.
It started suddenly,after my 3rd DC but was getting more painful,bloating is horrendous and makes you feel so uncomfortable.
I was worried it was something to do with my PCOS,cyst growing and causing pain but no.After a scan I was told it's famous mittelschmerz and apart from the heated pads or hot bath there's not much else that seems to help.

Chocobudbrownies · 23/04/2021 22:39

@museumum I get exactly the same. Some months are worse than others.

Mykittensmittens · 23/04/2021 22:48

Same here. I had mine investigated by gynaecologist. Hopefully I can help with some of the things I learnt.

Under investigations I had scans at the time of ovulation. Prior to this I had crippling pain in the middle of the month way worse than period pain. Pain is so bad I couldn’t do up my trousers through bloating, I couldn’t stand upright, I couldn’t speak, it would wake me up through the night. 24 hours of bloating afterwards. Like others have said I knew full well that one DC was conceived from the left and the other DC was conceived from the right purely down to the enormous pain I would have around day 14.

Through active scanning at the time of ovulation what the gynaecologist described was shown to me. When you release an egg there is a gap between the ovary and the fallopian tube. People assume the two things are joined but they are not. As a result when the egg is released there is also a release of fluid into the abdominal cavity. In some people this is more irritant than others and causes greater pain that others. It is the irritant which causes the pain.

I had horrific pain - I passed out once - but I don’t have endo. The recommendation is ovulation preventing medication (mirena, pill, etc)!but I can’t take that due to a family history of hormonal cancers.

omgwhy · 23/04/2021 22:48

@StillCounting123 its endometriosis from c-sections and is more common than the GPs know or care to understand.

Maggiesfarm · 23/04/2021 22:51

It sounds dreadful. You really do need to be referred to a specialist for this.

Original poster
Skatastic · 23/04/2021 23:22

As if so many of you get it too! It just shows what a shit show female health stuff is doesn't it?

My periods are hideous but definitely not endo hideous - my Mum had that and she was off work 4 days every month. Mine is "only" horrendous enough to stick me in bed for a day.

Currently laying in bed with a hot water bottle on my gigantic swollen belly, wincing at the pain. I'm going to go back to the GP or see if my work health care plan thing means I can talk to someone private. I've not got the money for private treatment unfortunately.

OP posts:
Maggiesfarm · 24/04/2021 00:44

I've never had it, Skatastic, or any sort of ovulation pain. Your description of the pain makes me wince and I really hope you get to see a gynaecologist soon. If you have a private health plan through work that should be possible quickly. Don't delay, nobody should be doubled up in pain like you are, you need investigation and diagnosis pronto.

Best of luck.

ferryblue · 24/04/2021 01:08

I get this, not every month but I’d say every 3. Last time it was absolutely horrendous, I was on the floor with my arms propped up on the sofa sobbing in pain and I wanted death. I really worry about it.

crumblypie · 24/04/2021 01:12

I have Mittelschmertz. Was offered the pill as apparently that can help. I didn't take that up as I don't like using hormones for various reasons but it can be an option.

These days I don't suffer too much with it. I'm not sure what has changed.

I've had so many scans and tests abd they can't find anything wrong

ivfbeenbusy · 24/04/2021 01:25

Have you previously had a c section or abdominal surgery

I had this after my c section.....I went on to nearly die....twice from ruptured ectopic pregnancies.....the pain was caused by scar tissue and adhesions which ultimately ruined my tubes. After I lost my tubes I never had the horrendous ovulation pain again