Pain during ovulation is common - here's why it happens

• Ovulation pain symptoms include cramping on one side, light bleeding, sore breasts, and high libido.
• Ovulation pain is common, affecting about 20% of menstruating people.
• While uncomfortable, ovulation pain can be one way to track when you are ovulating.

Ovulation pain, which affects 20% of menstruating people, occurs when the ovary begins to accommodate for the soon-to-be-released egg. This process can cause discomfort and pain, says Cassie Roeca, MD, an OB-GYN at the University of Colorado Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Because you are most fertile when ovulating, ovulation pain is one marker you can track if trying to conceive, or not.

Here's what you need to know about typical and abnormal ovulation pain, what to expect while ovulating, and the link between ovulation and fertility.

Ovulation pain symptoms

Pain during ovulation can be dull or sharp and typically occurs on one side of the lower abdomen, depending on which ovary releases an egg.

Other signs of ovulation

• Cervical mucus increasing in quantity, wetness, clarity, and stretchiness
• Breast tenderness
• Increased libido
• Light bleeding

A large 2014 study of partnered and single heterosexual women looked at changes in sexual activity during ovulation. Across almost eight years, women in both groups were more likely to have sex during ovulation due to increased libido.

However, some people might find sex more painful during ovulation, though it's not common.

"There are multiple reasons why people might experience painful intercourse during ovulation, including from inflammation, or another underlying condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or an enlarged ovarian cyst," says Roeca.

Overall, ovulation pain won't last more than a few hours, says Felice Gersh, MD, an OB-GYN at the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine. In comparison, period pain can last for a few days.

Important: If your pain during ovulation is sudden and severe, lasts for more than a few hours, or is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, painful sex, and lightheadedness you should see a doctor, says Roeca. Pain to this degree may be a sign of conditions such as endometriosis or an ovarian cyst.

Ovulation pain and fertility

Ovulation pain can help someone determine when they are ovulating - which are the five most fertile days in a person's menstrual cycle. However, having pain isn't a guarantee you are ovulating and it may occur after the egg is released. Therefore, it's best to use an ovulation calculator in addition to tracking your own symptoms, such as body temperature and discharge.

Tangentially, ovulation pain may boost your fertility if you decide to take aspirin to relieve symptoms. A 2020 study found that taking aspirin during the implantation window led to an increased chance of pregnancy after only one cycle. In comparison, taking nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen instead did not have the same effect.

Insider's takeaway

It is common to experience a few hours of mild pain during ovulation. However, pain lasting for multiple days or becoming severe should be discussed with a doctor. This discomfort can be a sign of something more serious, such as an ovarian cyst or endometriosis.

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