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Mittelschmerz - Symptom

Alternative Names

Ovulation pain; Midcycle pain

Symptoms:

Mittelschmerz may be felt on one side one month, then switch to the opposite side the next month, or it may be felt on the same side for several months in succession.

Symptoms include lower-abdominal pain that is:

One-sided
Typically lasting minutes to a few hours, possibly 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

Signs and tests:

A pelvic examination shows no problems. Other tests (such as an abdominal ultrasound or transvaginal pelvic ultrasound) may be done to look for other causes of ovarian or pelvic pain, if the pain lasts a while.

Female reproductive anatomy

Reviewed last on: 6/2/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Won HR, Abbott J. Optimal management of chronic cyclical pelvic pain: an evidence-based and pragmatic approach. Int J Womens Health. 2010; 2: 263–277.

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