If you’re experiencing pain in the middle of your cycle, you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know about ovulation pain—from what causes it to what it means for your fertility.
If you’ve ever felt a sharp twinge or dull ache in your lower abdomen around the middle of your cycle, you might be experiencing ovulation pain. Also known as mittelschmerz (German for “middle pain”), this symptom affects over 40% of women of reproductive age . But what exactly is mittelschmerz—or ovulation pain—and could it be a sign that you’re more likely to get pregnant?
Here’s everything you need to know about ovulation pain, including what it feels like, why it happens, and whether there’s a link between ovulation pain and pregnancy success.
What is ovulation pain? Ovulation pain is discomfort that happens around the time an egg is released from your ovary during ovulation. This pain typically happens about two weeks before your period starts, though the exact timing can vary based on your cycle length.
While some people experience this pain every cycle, others might only notice it occasionally or not at all.
Ovulation pain symptoms The intensity and duration of ovulation pain can vary significantly from person to person and even from cycle to cycle. Some might experience just one of these sensations, while others might feel a combination of them. You also may feel the pain in different sides of your body—that’s because the pain usually corresponds to which ovary is releasing an egg that cycle.
Understanding these different sensations can help you recognize what's normal for your body.
Ovulation pain symptoms most commonly are described as:
Sudden, sharp pain on one side of your lower abdomen that lasts for a few minutes to a few hours . This pain, often described as a "pinch" or "stab," typically occurs around the time the egg is actually being released from the ovary. A dull ache that lasts for a day or two. Unlike the sharp pain, this sensation feels more like a persistent soreness or tenderness in your lower abdomen. It might feel similar to mild menstrual cramps, but usually concentrated on one side.Mild cramping in your lower abdomen. These cramps might feel different from menstrual cramps—they're often less intense and more localized to one side. Some people describe it as a feeling of pressure or heaviness rather than actual cramping.Light spotting or discharge. As your egg is released, a small amount of blood might escape along with it, leading to light spotting. (Learn more about ovulation bleeding .) You might also notice changes in your cervical mucus, which typically becomes clear and stretchy during ovulation.Bloating or tenderness in your lower abdomen . The hormonal changes around ovulation can cause water retention and digestive changes that lead to bloating. Your abdomen might feel tender to the touch, similar to how it might feel before your period.Ovulation cramps vs. implantation cramps It's easy to confuse ovulation pain with implantation cramping—they’re both types of pain in your abdomen that happen during your cycle. However, they happen at different times in your cycle and feel slightly different.
Ovulation pain occurs mid-cycle, about 14 days before your next period (in a typical 28-day cycle). Implantation cramping, on the other hand, happens about 6-12 days after ovulation, when a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine wall.
Ovulation pain tends to be more sharp or sudden and occurs on one side, while implantation cramping is usually milder, more diffuse, and can be accompanied by light spotting. However, keep in mind that not everyone experiences either sensation, and their absence doesn't indicate any fertility issues—nor does their presence confirm fertility.
>>RELATED: Ovulation Bleeding vs. Implantation Bleeding: What’s the Difference?
What causes ovulation pain? Understanding what causes ovulation pain starts with knowing what happens during ovulation.
Each month, several follicles (fluid-filled sacs containing eggs) begin to develop in your ovaries. Usually, only one follicle will mature fully and release its egg, while the others are reabsorbed by the body. When the follicle releases an egg, that’s ovulation.
This process involves multiple physical changes in your reproductive system, each of which can contribute to the sensation of ovulation pain:
Follicle growth: As the follicle containing the egg grows larger just before ovulation, it can stretch the surface of your ovary, causing discomfort. The follicle can grow to be about 2-3 centimeters in size —about the size of a grape—which explains why you might feel pressure or pain as it expands.Egg release: When the egg bursts through the ovary wall, it can release a small amount of fluid and blood, which may irritate nearby tissue. This process, triggered by luteinizing hormone (LH), involves the follicle actually rupturing to release the egg , which can cause that characteristic sharp pain some people experience.Fallopian tube contractions : Your fallopian tubes may contract to help move the egg toward your uterus. These contractions, stimulated by prostaglandins (hormone-like substances), help create wave-like movements that guide the egg on its journey. Some people may be more sensitive to these contractions than others.Increased blood flow : The surge in hormones around ovulation increases blood flow to your ovaries. This enhanced blood flow, while necessary for successful ovulation, can create a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the area.It’s important to remember that these physical changes and the resulting sensations are all part of your body's normal reproductive process. However, if your ovulation pain is particularly severe, long-lasting, or affects your daily life, it's worth discussing with your healthcare provider. Sometimes, intense ovulation pain can be a sign of underlying conditions like endometriosis or ovarian cysts that may need medical attention.
Ovulation pain and pregnancy success Now that you know what ovulation pain is, what it feels like, and what causes it—is there a link between ovulation pain and pregnancy success? The short answer is no. Experiencing ovulation pain doesn’t directly increase or decrease your chances of conception. However, it can be a helpful fertility sign when you're trying to conceive.
If you regularly experience ovulation pain, you might be able to use it as one of several indicators of your fertile window. That’s because when you’re feeling that pain, you’re likely ovulating! You need to ovulate in order to conceive.
Remember, though, that the pain doesn't always coincide exactly with egg release—it can happen just before, during, or shortly after ovulation. That's why it's best to use ovulation pain alongside other fertility signs like cervical mucus changes or fertility trackers like Oova to figure out when you’re actually ovulating.
Ovulation pain relief While ovulation pain is normal, you don't have to suffer through it. If ovulation pain is affecting your day to day life, here are some ways to find relief:
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen Using a heating pad or taking a warm bath Light exercise or gentle stretching (and avoiding intense physical activity during this time if it makes the pain worse) Staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet If your ovulation pain is severe or interferes with your daily activities, it's worth discussing with your healthcare provider to rule out other conditions like endometriosis or ovarian cysts.
Ovulation pain and pregnancy success: the bottom line Ovulation pain is a common and normal experience that affects many people during their reproductive years. While it isn't directly linked to higher pregnancy success rates, it can serve as one of several helpful indicators of when you're ovulating. Remember that not everyone experiences ovulation pain, and its presence or absence doesn't reflect your fertility.
If you're trying to conceive, it's best to track multiple fertility signs rather than relying solely on ovulation pain. And if your ovulation pain is severe or concerning, don't hesitate to speak with a healthcare provider—they can help ensure the pain isn't related to other underlying conditions and provide personalized advice for your fertility journey.
