Some women get ovulation pain.
It can affect anyone who ovulates, which is when an egg is released as part of your menstrual cycle.
Ovulation pain often:
- feels like a dull pain or sharp sudden twinges
- lasts from a few minutes to 1 or 2 days
- happens about 14 days before a period
- only affects 1 side of your tummy at a time
- switches sides each time, depending on which ovary releases an egg
You may also have a little vaginal bleeding or discharge during ovulation.
Causes of ovulation pain
Ovulation pain is caused by the ovary releasing the egg.
There are some conditions that may cause a similar pain.
These include:
- conditions that affect the womb or ovaries such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts
- some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as Clamydia
- scar tissue (adhesions) from surgery you’ve had near the ovaries, such as as LSCS
- an ectopic pregnancy