Ovulation pain - just put up with it?

[Pforpizza]

I think I've posted on here in the past about my ovulation pain but can't find the thread. I get intense pains all over my lower abdomen, back and genital area and have to take painkillers. It has gotten worse since having a baby to the point where I'm doubled over in pain, can't walk, almost crying. Finally went to the GP because this really isn't normal but they said its just bad ovulation pains and they don't think it's PCOS/cysts as I don't have other symptoms. No other tests or investigations offered and they said my options are a) put up with it once a month or b) go back on the pill to stop ovulation. Which I'm willing to try but would prefer not to take hormones every day because of other side effects and wanting to try for a baby again at some point.

Does this sound normal? Does anyone else have ovulation pain this bad every month they just have to put up with? Should I push for further investigation?

I have been having monthly diarrhoea recently (since Jan) and I have tracked it to ovulation. My GP wasn’t particularly helpful tbh. Hard work being a woman!

So I think I was on the last thread as I have the same as you OP and it gave me the push to see my GP a month ago.

My GP said that you can have polycyclic ovaries but not PCOS (have to have at least 2 symptoms to be PCOS) she sent me for an ultrasound and also blood tests. Hopefully results next week so I will report back.

I also got a perscription for Napraxin which has helped a lot more with the pain than co-codamol was.

It sounds like you need a new GP!

@Tunnocks34 thanks for your reply. Luckily I don't have the diarrhoea problem you have - if anything I have the opposite and feel constipated and bloated! How lovely - and this is the time I'm meant to be fertile for baby making. I think not!

I get this plus pain around my bum!

@LivingDeadGirlUK yeah I thought I could ask for an ultrasound. Let me know if anything comes of it. I think because I said the pain goes away with ibuprofen then the doctors thinks that's ok. But I don't want the pain in the first place! It comes on very quickly and intensely and taking painkillers is just masking the symptoms surely. It took me weeks just to get this appointment at my doctors so not feeling hopeful about seeing another GP!

I may have been in that thread too- I saw gp who sent me for an u/s.

All looks fine except for a small to medium fibroid (I'm in my 40's).

Probably wouldn't explain mid cycle pain he said.

So just one of those things...

Hope you get a better answer,

I have severe ovulation pain but ibuprofen sorts it so I haven't ever thought to seek advice.

Ah yes maybe, I went because I was taking ibuprofen and co-codamol and was still in pain. Did you deliver by c-section? Another possible cause the GP raised was the healing of the wound but in my case the ultrasound lady said she could barely see the scar.

Pforpizza, tunnocks and vintage cream

Seek further investigation. Pain like this is not normal so do not put up with it. I did think of endometriosis on reading your symptoms pforpizza.

Any pain that is cyclical in nature and or gets worse up to and including menses should be checked to see if endometriosis is the root cause. This is usually diagnosed via laparoscopic surgery which is keyhole surgery. Internal ultrasound scans do not detect it.

It’s not necessarily just one of those things vintage and it is in your interests to find out what the cause is. Do not be fobbed off.

I had this pre kids. Told I couldn't have PCOS despite having multiple symptoms but I wasn't overweight. However I wasn't overweight because I got diarrhoea on ovulation and period.

I've just been dismissed dismissed dismissed. The attitude to woman's health is disgusting.

Thankfully my symptoms are mild now having just had a baby again. They started coming back after about 4 years post last baby.

I actually think I have both endometriosis and PCOS. The PCO if much better when I'm thinner in terms of ovulation pain and regular cycle. So if you are overweight I'd work on that. But ask for ultrasound to look for cysts and consider laparoscopy to look for endo

@MuggleMe yes ibuprofen sorts it which is good. But it comes on so quickly by the time I've taken the ibuprofen and it's kicked in it's been 20 minutes of me in pain.

@living

@LivingDeadGirlUK yes I had an emergency csection. The scar seems to have healed well though, but the pain is definitely worse since having a baby.

@AttilaTheMeerkat I'd not thought about endo but my periods are generally fine so didn't think it could be that.

@PurpleBugz interesting about the weight thing. I am still carrying an extra stone since having the baby. Didn't really link it to that. Another reason for me to lose weight then 😂

I was actually really surprised that the Dr I saw didn't tell me to lose weight as that is usually their answer to everything. However I am 2 stone heavier than I was pre baby and I DO want to rectify this. Just hate how its trotted out as the cause of all troubles.

Hadn't considered endo as I only get the pain while ovulating. My periods are painful but fixable with paracetamol or ibuprofen, while my ovulation pain was not fixed with those.

Hi OP, I have been experiencing similar symptoms to you. Severe abdominal pain, bloating, back pain etc all around my ovulation. Painkiller didnt do anything for it. This all started following my 2nd csection last year. They are still investigating but they have confirmed adenomyosis and fluid in my fallopian tube and possibly endometriosis.

It is really horrible so I sympathise with you.

Hi ladies, I had all my tests and scans and they found... nothing. Dissapointed to not have an answer but releaved its nothing serious.

I'm trying the progesterone only pill to stop ovulation and hopefully the pain.

In case anyone is still reading this, I have passed what would be my ovulation pain now and had nothing at all so progesterone pill seems to be working in that sense. It has made me spotty though hopefully that will go!

So I tried taking the combined pill but it made me feel really depressed after only taking it a week I decided to stop. Now I don't know where I am in my cycle. Not had any ovulation pain yet this month so who knows.

I’ve put up with awful ovulation pain for decades, mentioned it to gynaecologists but they’ve never been interested.
I never experienced period pains (although they were really heavy) but the ovulation pain is so painful, lasts days and feels like I can’t even sit it’s so tender in my whole pelvic area.
I joined a FB group for endometriosis as my sister suffers from it and I’ve been surprised how many women on there also suffer terrible ovulation pain too.
I am starting to wonder if I may have it.

I am apparently too old to be prescribed the combined pill, hence being on the progesterone only one, it did make me quite grumpy and teary the first week but its all calmed down now just over 3 weeks in.

It's worth asking to try a different pill if your not getting on with the combined one, I was also suggested the injection and the coil as other options.

Yeah the weird feeling around your bum like your sitting on something painful was almost as bad as the pain itself. I thought the Dr was onto something when she suggested polyps on the ovaries that might be releasing fluid but alas my ultrasound showed nothing up.

Me again, been on the progesterone only pill for a month now.

Its made a huge difference although I do still get a pain sometimes, its not bad at all though and is more an ache for 10 mins.

That’s great! I’ve had bowel investigations and two pelvic ultrasounds plus blood tests and it is IBS and peri menopause for me! I’m only 34 too!

Oh gosh that must be a bit of a shock but its good to have answers!