Mittelschmerz

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Female reproductive anatomy

Ovulation pain; Midcycle pain

Lower-abdominal pain that is:

• One-sided
• Recurrent or with similar pain in past
• Typically lasting minutes to a few hours, but may extend as long as 24-48 hours
• Usually sharp, cramping, distinctive pain
• Severe (rare)
• May switch sides from month to month or from one episode to another
• Begins midway through the menstrual cycle

A pelvic examination shows no abnormalities. Other diagnostic procedures (such as an abdominal ultrasound) may be performed to rule out other causes of ovarian pain if ovulatory pain is prolonged.

Review Date: 02/22/2007
Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.