What it can feel like to have ovulation pain

Ovulation pain, sometimes called mittelschmerz, can be felt on either side and may switch sides from cycle to cycle. It may last a short time or continue for part of the day, with mild spotting or discharge in some people. Pain that starts at another point in the cycle, keeps returning with increasing intensity, or comes with pain during sex may have another explanation. Endometriosis and ovarian cysts are examples of conditions that can present with pelvic pain, but pain does not establish either diagnosis.

Track the pain against your periods, including its side, duration, severity, bleeding, bowel or bladder symptoms, and pregnancy possibility. Rest, gentle warmth, and an over-the-counter pain reliever may help if suitable for you. A clinician can recommend a safer option if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, have stomach or kidney problems, or take other medicines.

Get urgent help for sudden severe pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, fever, vomiting, shoulder-tip pain, or a positive pregnancy test with abdominal pain. Arrange an appointment when pain is new, persistent, repeatedly disrupts daily life, or does not follow a familiar pattern.

Does the timing and pattern fit ovulation pain? Could pregnancy, an ovarian cyst, or endometriosis explain it? Do I need an examination or scan? Which pain relief is suitable for me?