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Ovarian pain is a condition felt in the lower abdomen, on the left or right side, as a stabbing, stretching or stabbing pain. The causes of ovarian pain can be trivial or serious, even requiring surgical intervention. Very careful diagnosis is needed to find the cause of ovarian pain.
What are the causes of ovarian pain?
The causes of ovarian pain can vary widely and depend largely on the type of pain and other accompanying symptoms. Sometimes ovarian pain is a natural reaction of the body that should not be alarming. The cause of the ailments may be physiological or result from female diseases.
Physiological causes of ovarian pain
- Ovulation; pain on one side of the lower abdomen that occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle is related to the rupture of the Graaf follicle and the release of an egg from the ovary; A lot of women struggle with this ailment, so there is no reason to be alarmed. The most common pain is in the right ovary, although it can also be in the left ovary. Pain usually lasts 2-3 days. A warm bath and painkillers have a soothing effect.
- Position during sexual intercourse – it often happens that ovarian pain occurs as a result of poorly chosen sexual position; some positions place increased pressure on the pelvic organs, making women feel uncomfortable.
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome) – is a very common female ailment associated with raging hormones, occurring due to the approaching menstruation. The most common symptom of PMS is ovarian pain, fatigue, and mood swings.
- Stress – ovarian pain may occur when we feel fear of sexual intercourse (then it is worth consulting a sexologist).
Causes of ovarian pain associated with female diseases
Pain associated with physiological processes is self-limiting and is not a cause for concern. The situation is different when ovarian pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea or vaginal discharge – then this problem should not be underestimated. Janik’s pain and a feeling of stinging in the lower abdomen may indicate the following diseases:
- an enlarging ovarian cyst or its rupture; a characteristic symptom of a cyst is ovarian pain felt after sexual intercourse. Forming cysts can also cause other diseases, such as ovarian torsion or polycystic ovary syndrome;
- inflammation involving the ovary and fallopian tube called the appendages (adnexitis); the typical symptom is cramp pain on both sides of the lower abdomen that radiates into the groin and thighs;
- ectopic pregnancy, i.e. implanting a fertilized egg in the ovary or fallopian tube instead of in the wall of the uterus;
- endometriosis – this condition develops very slowly and often does not give any symptoms; it is most often diagnosed accidentally in patients who have problems with getting pregnant and complain of pain during sex;
- ovarian cancer – unfortunately, ovarian cancer does not give any symptoms for a long time. It is diagnosed only when there are severe pains in the lower abdomen, related to the tumor growing beyond the ovary;
- cervical erosion – characterized by spotting after intercourse, stinging the ovary and spotting between periods; the erosion is usually formed as a result of mechanical injuries and inflammation of the vagina or cervix.
Note: Sometimes ovarian pain is one of the symptoms of pregnancy. It is a natural phenomenon only in the early stages of pregnancy, later – it may indicate a detachment of the placenta. This situation is an indication for immediate consultation with a doctor. Sometimes pain in the ovary can also mean inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder.
Management – when the ovary hurts
If the pain during ovulation is very troublesome, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Very severe ovarian pain requires consultation with a gynecologist who will assess the patient’s condition and possible indications for referral to the hospital ward and urgent or planned surgery. In women with adnexitis, it is necessary to implement antibiotics and refrain from sexual intercourse during the treatment period.