Ovarian Pain: Understanding Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

It’s not unusual for symptoms that solely affect women to be downplayed or misunderstood, and ovarian pain is no exception. The ovaries are critical in human reproduction, as part of the female reproductive system that are responsible for the release of eggs, which can be fertilised to create a new human being. Of course, they do a lot more than release eggs, also producing hormones like oestrogen and regulating various bodily processes. 

Despite the fact that more than 650 million Indians have ovaries and will probably experience sharp pain in the ovaries at some point in their lives, most of us don’t even know what ovarian pain is and what it feels like. Hopefully, this blog will help set the record straight and help you better understand the phenomenon, so you can deal with it confidently.

What is ovarian pain and where is it felt?

Any pain that affects the ovaries is described as ovarian pain, but it can vary greatly in severity. As the ovaries are located towards the lower area of your tummy, in the pelvic region and below your belly button, this is where you would feel pain. Ovarian pain may only affect one side. It’s important that you get it checked out by your OB-GYN if it is debilitating or persistent, lasting beyond a few days.

In many cases, you may not need any treatment as the pain could just occur for a few minutes or days and then resolve completely. However, if there is an underlying condition that is causing it, the ovarian pain can last longer and is termed chronic. In these cases, the pain progressively worsens and may be triggered by certain activities, restricting your ability to enjoy everyday life.

Common causes of ovarian pain

It’s important to understand what causes ovarian pain so that you know how to respond to the situation. Here are some common ovarian pain causes​ that you should know:

• Ovulation pain: This is a benign condition that some women experience during the ovulation phase of their menstrual cycle, which occurs about halfway between periods. If affected, you may feel discomfort or pain that lasts from minutes to hours.

• Endometriosis: This is a chronic condition in which the uterine tissue that is shed each month grows on the outside of the uterus, keeping it trapped even after shedding during menstruation. This condition affects over 40 million women in India and is a common cause of ovarian pain. 

• Ovarian cysts: Cysts or fluid-filled sacs associated with the menstrual cycle do not cause problems, but there are other types of cysts too, such as dermoid cysts and cystadenomas. These are not cancerous, but can grow large enough to cause ovarian pain and would require treatment.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease: Also termed PID, this results from infections that can affect many female reproductive organs, including the ovaries, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Without swift treatment, it can lead to permanent damage, increasing the risk of infertility and other complications. 

• Ectopic pregnancy: This is a condition in which an egg gets fertilised but is mistakenly implanted outside of the uterus, rather than inside. This usually develops in the fallopian tubes, causing severe ovarian pain and must be treated as a medical emergency. 

In rare cases, ovarian pain may also be an early warning sign of ovarian cancer. However, most ovarian cancers do not cause symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Symptoms to watch for include ovarian pain

Symptoms of ovarian pain can vary depending on the underlying causes, including:

• Ovulation pain typically affects the side where the ovary is releasing the egg, causing a dull aching pain. This usually causes mild discomfort, but some women may feel a sharp pain or notice accompanying symptoms like nausea and discharge.

• Ovarian pain from endometriosis can occur with other symptoms such as severe painful periods, pain during sex, painful urination, and pain in the pelvic region or the lower back. The pain can vary in severity, also contributing to feelings of fatigue.

• Ovarian pain caused by a cyst is likely to be a dull, steady ache, but if it grows large and ruptures, it can cause severe pain in the ovary. It may also occur along with symptoms such as irregularity in your cycle, feelings of fullness or bloating, nausea, and pain during sex.

• When caused by PID, ovarian pain will vary in severity and could include other symptoms such as tenderness in the abdominal and pelvic region, changes in discharge, increased frequency and burning when urinating, painful sex, and fever. 

• Ectopic pregnancy-related ovarian pain is usually a sharp and stabbing pain that is felt towards one side. It often causes other symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, nausea, dizziness, breast tenderness, and symptoms associated with pregnancy.

Treatment and relief for ovarian pain

Treatments will vary significantly, depending on the underlying cause, which is why an accurate diagnosis is so important. Until you can get to your doctor, over-the-counter pain treatments may offer some relief, but these should only be used as advised by your pharmacist. In many cases, ovarian pain may not even require treatment as pain caused by ovulation resolves naturally within a day or two. 

When dealing with ovarian pain caused by conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or PID, doctors may recommend various treatment approaches. Typically, they take a cautious approach, only recommending interventions such as surgical treatment if absolutely necessary. 

When to see a doctor

As ovarian pain is often temporary and caused by ovulation, it doesn’t always require medical attention. However, ovarian pain that is severe, long-lasting, and recurring, or accompanied by other symptoms, should be reported to your OB-GYN. To make it easier for your doctor to diagnose and treat the condition, maintain a tracker to keep a record of your ovarian pain.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Where is ovarian pain​ felt?

Ovarian pain is felt in the location of the ovaries, which are in the lower abdominal and pelvic area, just below the belly button. Since you have ovaries on both sides of your pelvis, pain can occur on the left, right, or both sides. 

2. What is the best ovarian cyst pain treatment​?

To find the best treatment, your doctor needs to pinpoint exactly what's causing your ovarian cyst and pain. Without knowing the underlying cause, it's impossible to provide treatment that actually lasts. Consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice. 

3. Can ovarian pain be prevented?

Although there is no way to prevent ovarian pain, the risk can be reduced by following a healthy lifestyle, staying active, managing body weight, and avoiding high-risk behaviours.