Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Women's health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Flip

Original poster

Ovulation pain - I think?!

16 replies

Sunandsea77 · 11/08/2023 22:15

About once a month, approx 14 days before my period, I’ve started getting a pain in the middle of my lower stomach. It feels like trapped wind but does not pass with gas etc. It can be really painful and at times has left me crying on the floor. Paracetemol take the edge off. It only lasts a day that bad and maybe a few days quite dull.
I first experienced this when my periods came back after the birth of my son. It happened about 3 times and then I went on the pill. I came off the pill and after a few months, got pregnant with my daughter. Once again, now my period has came back, these pains have begun. It’s more painful than my actual period!! Due to timing, I’m assuming ovulation pain but it doesn’t switch sides like I’ve read suggested.
Anyway, is there anything I can do to help relieve these pains? Any herbal teas or foods to avoid that may help?? I’m at a loss but don’t want to go back on the pill.

OP posts:

roseopose · 11/08/2023 22:18

I get this too. I was on the pill for years and years before coming off to TTC, I first got it after 5 months off the pill. Since having DD I get it maybe 1/3 months badly. I actually went to A&E with it when I first had it because I had no clue what it could be and I was in agony. It feels like wind but nothing relieves it. The hospital told me that it's the follicle releasing the egg and some fluid and the fluid is what causes the discomfort until it gets reabsorbed.

Pinkitydrinkity · 11/08/2023 22:20

I get this too sometimes, feels almost like a stitch? Paracetamol/brufen does nothing but a hot water bottle/heating pad really helps me. It’s worth going to the Dr as they might have other painkillers they can give you.

MaybeBabyTwo · 11/08/2023 22:20

Yes it's ovulation pain. I have it, I also have PCOS and it is effectively an ovarian cyst rupturing once a month. The only real treatment is to stop ovulation I.e. take contraception. I've had extensive surgery for fertility reasons and nothing I've had done has stopped it. I've passed out in the swimming pool, had to lie down in the street with it before.

lateSeptember1964 · 11/08/2023 22:26

Otherwise known as Mittelschmerz

Original poster

Sunandsea77 · 12/08/2023 06:42

Thank you for your replies. I’m finding it a little odd that I had never suffered from this at all both with and without the pill, prior to having babies. Do you think it will improve as my body gets used to periods again? This is only my third cycle since having my dd. My husband has had a vasectomy and I was looking forward to being pill free (aka no fake hormones in my body!)
After my son, I did actually call the doctors about it but hadn’t associated it with ovulation at the time - it was them that suggested it could be and actually it’s been bang on when I would be ovulating. They basically just told me it was one of those things…

OP posts:

allhellcantstopusnow · 12/08/2023 06:53

I get this too. I've no issue with period pain but I get one day of ovulation pain that all but disables me. It's only every other month though so I'm assuming I've either only got one working ovary or the one that ovulates that month is extremely furious about it.

I have a naproxen prescription and take one in the morning and one and night for that one day every other month and I can get by.

bettynutkins · 12/08/2023 07:05

Yes I get this too. It basically writes off the whole day I'm in agony.
I also get terrible periods as well and assume I have endometriosis.

MaybeBabyTwo · 12/08/2023 07:29

It might get better, I do have some random months where it's hardly anything.

I don't want to take hormones (well, I'm doing ivf at the moment, but when we're done I mean), I've accepted that it's only one awful day and a few bad days a month so now I take max paracetamol and ibuprofen from when I start to feel uncomfortable (usually the day before), and continue until it passes. That makes it bearable enough to not pass out at least!

I long for the menopause, honestly.

Berealpeach · 04/04/2025 21:08

I have had exactly the same as you describe since the birth of my second DD 11 months ago. I could have written this myself, I get quite a tender tummy during ovulation for a day or two, no painful or heavy periods and it’s only bad every other month. I am curious if this ever resolved over time for you or if got to the bottom of the cause?

Original poster

Sunandsea77 · 05/04/2025 06:35

Never got to the bottom of it 😢
Sometimes it gets better for a while but it’s been really bad again lately. It’s almost like trapped wind…I’m wondering if the hormones maybe making me a bit constipated? It was particularly bad this month, needing regular Paracetemol for the pain but after it stopped, I definitely showed signs of constipation. Going to be extra cautious with diet (more fibre) and fluids around the time next month to see if that helps.
I did read it can be a sign of endometriosis which is something that has been discussed with me prior to children. Odd though as my actually periods aren’t too bad anymore.

OP posts:

Original poster

Sunandsea77 · 05/04/2025 06:36

@Berealpeach

OP posts:

Berealpeach · 05/04/2025 07:32

Thank you so much for replying, I was hoping it had resolved over time for you😢. I’ve been researching and I keep coming back to endometriosis, the GP said they can’t rule it out without a laparoscopy but I only have the same as you describe around ovulation. Constipation for me around ovulation isn’t unusual, I assumed it was the change in hormones contributing. I have an appointment with a gynaecologist who specialises in endo this week. I hope I can get to the bottom of it.

quixote12 · 05/04/2025 07:54

Wish this discussion had been here when I got it! I didn't know anyone with it and thought it was just me. It was only ever noticeable though, not too bad. I did go on to have some problems later on with a lot of pain but they couldn't find anything on scans and assured me it would go with menopause which it did. No pain at all of any sort now.

borntobequiet · 05/04/2025 07:59

I thought mine was intestinal pain for years until it clicked that it was ovulation pain. It came on after the birth of my first child and varied in intensity, sometimes acute, sometimes dull, sometimes short lived and sometimes longer lasting but always the same location and “quality” - unmistakable once you knew. Mostly -and worse - on the left side, I think my left ovary was more active.

Original poster

Sunandsea77 · 05/04/2025 12:41

@Berealpeach Please let me know how you get on ❤️

OP posts:

Grimbeorn · 05/04/2025 13:14

Before babies I got painful periods but no ovulation pain. Now I get painful ovulation but no period pain! So definitely not endo, for me anyway. I also don't get constipated around this time so not intestinal. Mine usually starts with a bang at 11pm, so that must be when my body likes to ovulate 😆
Mine only lasts about 16 hours so not as bad as some of you. When I go back to work after kids I am going to have to crack out the serious painkillers to avoid time off.

Flip