Pain in the ovaries is an unpleasant sensation of stabbing or stretching in the lower abdomen. The causes of ovarian pain can vary widely and are not always a cause for concern. However, if, apart from pain, there are, for example, very heavy menstruation, unpleasant-smelling discharge or frequent pressure on the bladder, a gynecological consultation is necessary. Find out what causes ovarian pain and what diseases it may indicate.
Pain in the ovariesis a condition that is felt on the left or right side of the lower abdomen as a stabbing, stretching or stabbing pain.The causes of ovarian painmay be complex, but mostly depend on the nature of the pain and accompanying symptoms.
Ovarian pain - causes
Pain in the ovariesis a symptom of ovulation and is associated with the release of the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes. It is a natural process. Also, the pain in the ovaries after intercourse should not be a cause for concern. It is usually caused by stress, bad standing and sexual abstinence. If in such situations you do not observe accompanying symptoms, e.g. discharge with a changed color and unpleasant smell - there is no reason to be alarmed.
- Ovulation
The pain on one side of the lower abdomen that occurs in the middle of the monthly cycle is caused by the rupture of the Graaf follicle and the release of an egg from the ovary. So if you have a slight ovarian pain before your period, with no accompanying symptoms, don't be alarmed. If the pain is very troublesome, take a painkiller and lie down. The relaxing effect is also provided by massage of this area, e.g. with a warm water bottle.
- Stress
If pains in the ovary and lower abdomen appear, for example, before or during sexual intercourse, it may be stress. If you feel anxious about sex, see a sexologist as this type of condition can turn into a sexual phobia.
- Bad sexual position
The sexual position and nature of intercourse are also important. Certain positions may compress the pelvic organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Then, during intercourse, a stinging sensation may appear in the lower abdomen.
- Premenstrual syndrome
This is a complex of mental, physical, and emotional symptoms that starts a few days before menstruation and clears the moment you start menstruating. The list of PMS symptoms is very long and includes mood swings, ovarian pain, and fatigue.
Painkillers, a balanced diet, light exercise (especially outdoors), and sedative medications will help to relieve PMS symptoms.
Ovarian pain - what diseases might ovarian pain indicate?
Ovarian paincan also be one of the symptoms of a condition known as female. Then, the clinical picture of the disease also includes other accompanying symptoms, e.g. unpleasant vaginal discharge, nausea or pain during intercourse. In such a situation, a gynecological consultation is necessary.
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease whose essence is the migration of the uterine mucosa beyond its cavity. The disease develops slowly, and among the few symptoms it gives are, inter alia, lower abdominal pain which radiates to the entire pelvis and heavy menstrual bleeding. Endometriosis is suspected when a woman experiences pain during intercourse and has problems conceiving.
- Ovarian cyst
Ovarian pain can be the result of a growing ovarian cyst (or even rupture). Only then does the surrounding tissues become compressed, which is manifested, among others, by abdominal pain and a feeling of pressure on the bladder. There are also cycle disorders and / or intermenstrual bleeding.
If the cyst ruptures and its contents are released into the peritoneal cavity, symptoms of "acute abdomen" appear, as peritonitis occurs.
- Adnexitis
Adnexitis is a disease where inflammation from bacteria affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes. A characteristic symptom of the disease is sudden, cramping pain on both sides of the lower abdomen which radiates to the groin and thighs. Accompanying symptoms are weakness, fever or low-grade fever. Sometimes there are also nausea, vomiting (due to irritation of the peritoneum) and diarrhea. Then the disease can be confused with food poisoning.
- Torsion of the ovarian cyst
Twisting of an ovarian cyst occurs when blood vessels are constricted and blood supply to the ovary stops, resulting in sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen that resembles colic, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes even fainting.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
It is a hormonal disorder, the essence of which is a change in the concentrations of various hormones in the body (most often increasing the level of androgens - male sex hormones, inspin and luteinizing hormone). Ovaries enlarged as a result of hormonal disorders put pressure on the adjacent canals and contribute to chronic pain not only in the lower abdomen, but in the entire pelvis.
- Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancershows no symptoms for a long time. Only when the tumor begins to grow beyond the ovaries, severe pains in the lower abdomen appear. Then the accompanying symptoms may be prolonged indigestion, flatulence, constipation and vomiting, therefore ovarian cancer can be easily mistaken for food poisoning or other gastrointestinal ailment. Only ascites, pressure on the bladder and swelling of the legs give the entire clinical picture of the disease.
- Urinary tract infections
Bacteria in the urinary tract contribute to inflammation of the urinary tract. Then there is pain in the lower abdomen, frequent or immediate urination, accompanied by a burning sensation. In most cases, these are symptoms of inflammation of the bladder.
- Inflammation of the uterus
Inflammation of the uterus is caused by many pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites. Vaginal itching and burning, opaque, yellowish discharge (and in advanced stages white discharge) and lower abdominal pain (and even back pain) are the most common symptoms of the disease. See your doctor for an accurate diagnosis, as the symptoms of uterine inflammation are similar to those of vaginitis, which is the most common source of infection.
- Cervical erosion
Loss of the epithelium of the vaginal part of the cervix may be a consequence of cervicitis or vaginosis, as well as mechanical trauma (e.g. during childbirth, miscarriage). Ovarian pain and spotting between periods or after intercourse are on the short list of symptoms.
Ovarian pain and birth control pills
Taking birth control pills does not cause ovarian pain. Other chemical contraceptives, such as spermicidal creams and gels, intrauterine devices and vaginal globules, also do not contribute to the pain in the lower abdomen.
Ovarian pain and pregnancy
Pain in the ovaries during pregnancy may be a natural symptom of a woman's body adjusting to the changes taking place in her body.
If a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy experiences abdominal pain in the form of regular, dull andworsening painful contractions, this may indicate a detachment of the placenta. In such a situation, you should immediately see a gynecologist.
In turn, pains in the lower abdomen, especially sharp or "prickly", and heavy bleeding during pregnancy may indicatemiscarriage .
If pain occurs on one side of the lower abdomen and is accompanied by vaginal bleeding for a week or more after menstruation, high heart rate and sweating, it may be atubal pregnancy . In this case, you should go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Ectopic pregnancy , i.e. implantation of a fertilized egg in the ovary or fallopian tube instead of in the uterine wall, is manifested by unilateral abdominal pain, menstrual arrest and bleeding from the genital tract, which occur most frequently in the 2nd month after stopping the period.