Pain in the middle?

Many women know when they are ovulating, because it hurts. "Mittelschmerz," a German word meaning literally "pain in the middle", is a most accurate description of the condition related to painful ovulation, since the ovary typically releases its egg in the middle of a woman's menstrual cycle.

While the exact causes remain unknown, the pain is very real and can begin at any point just prior to, during or after ovulation. Some researchers believe the fluid or blood that is released along with the ovum could irritate the lining of an especially sensitive abdomen, with the pain subsiding after the body reabsorbs the fluid. Others think the pain comes from the stretching of the ovary's surface as the follicle expands in preparation for release.

The pain can change from side to side each month, depending on which ovary released the egg, and while there is no known cure other than preventing ovulation itself through hormonal contraceptives, the condition is not a health risk. Women experiencing regular abdominal pain should consult their doctors, however, to rule out other potentially dangerous conditions, such as endometriosis or ovarian cysts. One the bright side, women who experience Mittelschmerz can use it to their advantage when planning to conceive.

Resources

For more information on painful ovulation or "Mittelschmerz" check the entry in the NIH's MEDLINEplus Health Information site.

Also, read a good fact sheet on the topic from the Cleveland Clinic.