However, severe pain lasting longer than usual may indicate an underlying medical condition such as endometriosis.
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Should Ovulation Be Painful?
About 1 out of every 5 women experiences mid-cycle, ovulation pain.
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
While some discomfort is not atypical or abnormal, you should not experience severe pain.
What Is Ovulation?
Ovulationoccurs when the ovary releases an egg.
It is a normal part of the menstrual cycle.
They shed their endometrial (uterine) lining if ovulation does not result in pregnancy.
This happens about 14 to 16 days after ovulation and causes bleeding during a menstrual period.
Endometriosis lesions respond to changing hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle.
When endometriosis lesions grow and bleed, they dont have anywhere to go.
They are not shed like the uterine lining.
This can cause inflammation, pain, and heavy periods.
Endometriosis often causes intense pain during ovulation because lesions commonly grow around thereproductive organs, including the ovaries.
Ovulation pain from endometriosis may occur when:
What Does Ovulation Pain Feel Like?
Ovulation pain is typically mild and lasts for a few minutes up to 48 hours.
It is located in the lower abdomen (belly) or pelvis (between the hips).
However, endometriosis pain is typically in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
It ranges from lifestyle modifications to surgery.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy can help relax muscles and stimulate blood flow.
Topical Medications
Rubbingtopical medicationson your lower back may help relieve nerve inflammation from endometriosis.
Iflidocaineis an active ingredient, it can help numb the pain fairly quickly.
This includes:
Can Birth Control Help?
Hormonal birth control is a common treatment for people with endometriosis.
You must find the right one for your body.
But debilitating pain is not normal and requires medical attention.
If you experience pain that keeps you from your daily activities, notify your healthcare provider.
Severe ovulation pain that lasts longer than 48 hours could be due to endometriosis.
Other signs of endometriosis include painful periods, heavy periods, painful sexual intercourse, and more.
Treatment for endometriosis varies based on symptoms and severity.
It includes lifestyle changes, pain medications, hormones, and possibly surgery.
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