Mittelschmerz

Alternative names:

midcycle pain; ovulation pain

Symptoms:

• lower abdominal pain
  • one-sided
  • recurrent or with similar pain in past
  • duration is typically minutes to a few hours, but may extend as long as 24 to 48 hours
  • usually sharp, cramping, distinctive pain
  • pain may switch sides from month to month or from one episode to another
  • pain onset midway in the menstrual cycle

Signs and tests:

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.