Does 'ovulation pain' mean I'm definitely ovulating?

[Ephiny]

So for the last couple of months, I've been getting right-sided abdominal pain which I think is ovulation-related (a couple of weeks since last period, achy twingy pain towards my hip). But then my period starts only 4-5 days later...does this mean I didn't actually ovulate? Surely it should be longer than that if I did?

I stopped taking the Pill back in May (after nearly 10 years on it), and since then my cycles have been...strange, much shorter than they used to be (about 3 weeks at most) and periods v. light and short. I'm not sure if I just need to give it more time for things to go back to normal, or if something is wrong :(

Anyone had similar experiences after the Pill, or any ideas if this is normal?

Hey ephiny. I would say go to your drs and talk to them about it, this isn't usual or typical for post-pill cycles specifically, although, of course, it could be related to that. It doesn't need to be anything to worry about though, depending on when you ovulate (see below!)

From what I can deduce (which isn't much I am afraid!) if you are possibly:

ov'ing 4/5 days before your period starts as you suspect. That would not give any fertilised egg enough time to implant before the lining is shed as AF (period). You would need a post-ov luteal phase of at least 8/9 days and that is still pushing it. this would need to be sorted with a dr - or B vitamins can help lengthen a luteal phase.

OR your body is trying to ovulate and not, and having a period anyway.

OR you are ovulating earlier in your cycle and the pain is irrelevant and the shortness of the cycle is irrelevant. Three weeks is short for a cycle, but you could technically have AF, then ovulate around cycle days 7-11 followed by a healthy luteal phase of 14-10 days. Your next period would come at day 22 (or the day after Cycle Day 21, and starting a new cycle), which is three weeks. Is unusual but not impossible at all.

do you have any natural fertile signs to indicate ov at the time you suspect? Like EWCM? have you tried using ovulation predictor kits to pinpoint ovulation?

I would recommend identifying ovulation by using at least 2 signs out of

1. Temperature
2. Ewcm
3. Ovulation pain
4. Position of cervix.

Not in that order! Good luck!

Thanks for replies. Have had a bit of ewcm on previous cycles, but not the last two (painful) ones.

I think I'll try the ovulation sticks/temperature checking for a couple of months, and maybe make a doctor's appointment after that if things don't seem normal.