It is normal to feel a little uncomfortable or like something is pulling in the lower abdomen after ovulation. This sensation may seem unsettling, particularly if you’re not aware of the physical changes your body experiences at this time of the menstrual cycle.
The feeling you’re having is frequently connected to the physiological functions taking place in your body. The ovaries may swell or become tender after ovulation as they prepare to release the egg. The feeling of pulling or cramping can also be attributed to the hormonal changes that occur during this period.
Knowing these physical changes will make it easier for you to distinguish between symptoms that are typical of post-ovulation and those that may require medical attention. To make sure everything is as it should be, it’s always a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider if the discomfort continues or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Reason | Description |
Ovulation Pain | Some women experience mild cramping or pulling sensations in the lower abdomen around the time of ovulation. This is due to the follicle releasing an egg and the surrounding tissues stretching. |
Hormonal Changes | After ovulation, hormonal changes, especially increases in progesterone, can cause the uterine lining to prepare for a possible pregnancy, which may result in discomfort or a pulling sensation. |
Increased Blood Flow | During ovulation, blood flow to the pelvic area increases, which can sometimes cause a feeling of fullness or pulling in the lower abdomen. |
Pregnancy Symptoms | In some cases, pulling sensations can be an early sign of pregnancy, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. This happens as the uterus begins to adjust to the growing embryo. |
- What is happening?
- Possible reasons
- Ovulatory syndrome
- Late ovulation
- Premenstrual syndrome
- The occurreed pregnancy
- Follicle cyst
- Other reasons
- Video on the topic
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What is happening?
The time when a mature egg is released from the follicle is known as ovulation. There are numerous first-order oocytes in a woman’s gonads, but only one or very rarely two of these oocytes mature in a single menstrual cycle. Since a woman is only fertile during ovulation, it is possible to conceive during this time. The egg has a day to live before it dies if conception is unsuccessful. It enters the uterus through the phallopium pipe, where it remains until the next menstrual cycle begins two weeks after ovulation.
- Menstruation
- Ovulation
- High probability of conception
In the event of a 28-day cycle, ovulation takes place on the 14th day, 14 days prior to the commencement of the menstrual cycle. Since there is frequently a deviation from the average value, the computation is imprecise.
In addition to the calendar method, you can check cervical mucus, measure basal temperature, use special tests or mini-microscopes, and test for progesterone, estrogens, LH, and FSH.
Folliculometry (ultrasound) can be used to definitively determine the day of ovulation.
- Losos, jonathan b.; Raven, Peter H.; Johnson, George B.; Singer, Susan R. Biology. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 1207-1209.
- Campbell N. A., Reece J. B., Urry L. A. e. a. Biology. 9th ed. — Benjamin Cummings, 2011. — p. 1263
- Tkachenko B. I., Brin V. B., Zakharov Yu. M., Nedospasov V. O., Pyatin V. F. Human Physiology. Compendium / Ed. B. I. Tkachenko. — M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2009. — 496 p.
- https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Овуляция
There is a normal number of anovulatory cycles—cycles in which ovulation does not take place—for women of different ages.
When a girl reaches the age of 35, she may experience five or six "empty" menstrual cycles annually, compared to just one or two at age 20. This is why older women have a lower fertility rate and find it harder to conceive.
A woman’s state of being can change during ovulation in a normal menstrual cycle: vaginal discharge can become more abundant, sexual desire can increase, and nipples can become more sensitive. Some women report feeling a slight pain on the right or left side of the lower abdomen, near the ovaries, which they believe to be the rupture of the follicle. Although there are no objective ovulation symptoms recognized by medicine, it is possible to detect the exact moment of ovulation through home ovulation tests, ultrasounds, and hormone tests performed in laboratories.
Normally, progesterone has an impact on the body during the second half of the menstrual cycle. There ought to be no discomfort. Following the release of the egg, the amount of discharge starts to decrease. This is known as the "dry period," during which progesterone causes the cervical mucus to become thick and sparse.
If your lower abdomen aches during the second half of your cycle or if it pulls after ovulation, you should consult a doctor to learn the causes of these symptoms. They might differ from one another.
Possible reasons
The woman’s own observations will be helpful in determining the reasons behind the lower abdominal pulling pains that appear after ovulation ends. Finding out how long the first uncomfortable feelings lingered after the anticipated day of ovulation is crucial information. It is possible to infer certain reasons based on this (a doctor alone can confirm!).
Ovulatory syndrome
This term in medicine describes a specific symptomatic complex that is typical of women who have a high degree of individual sensitivity. They typically experience pain even during the follicle rupture phase, albeit to varying degrees. The concentration of progesterone in the female body rises in the second phase of the cycle following ovulation, which also causes the blood vessel walls to loosen and increases the risk of injury. The basal temperature stays elevated.
Many report experiencing bloating or distension, and these sensations are linked to progesterone’s action, which keeps fluid in the tissues among other things. In the event that a woman possesses a large follicle, also referred to as tense in medicine, the rupture of said follicle causes microtrauma on the surface of the sex gland and may theoretically be linked to pain. In this instance, the uncomfortable feelings start to manifest on the day of ovulation, continue for a little over an hour, and then subside gradually over the course of three to four days.
Regardless of whether pregnancy has occurred or not, the right and left fallopian tubes, or oviducts, contract at the moment the egg moves inside the tube. Normally, the oocyte’s surrounding tube muscles contract more forcefully. However, occasionally both oviducts contract at the same time, which can cause a woman to experience a pulling pain that is similar to menstrual pain. These pains typically start one or two days after ovulation and last for a week or so.
The cervix, which is slightly open during ovulation, gradually closes after the process is finished. There may occasionally be an increased buildup of fluid in it, which some people refer to as "pulling the uterus." It can also feel like a pulling sensation in the cervix.
The most common kind of constipation, which some women experience after ovulation in the second phase of the menstrual cycle due to progesterone, can also be linked to minor nagging pains.
Ovulatory syndrome is a feature that affects one in five women worldwide, according to the WHO. However, women typically only notice it when the uncomfortable feelings are very noticeable. Such women report pulling and pain, similar to what they might experience during an appendicitis attack, in only 5 percent of cases.
You should see a doctor after your next menstruation if you have experienced these symptoms for multiple cycles in a row. The doctor will make recommendations, prescribe antispasmodics, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Late ovulation
Ovulation defies calendar laws and is an unpredictable quantity. It is possible that the timing of the follicle rupture will change, even though it usually happens in the middle of the cycle. It’s possible that the timing of ovulation has changed and the release of the oocyte from the ruptured follicle is happening right now if the stomach aches a few days after ovulation.
The woman’s health, her hormonal background, stress, travel, flying, changing climates and time zones, colds, and other illnesses linked to elevated body temperature can all have an impact on the timing.
In the first year following childbirth, late ovulation is a phenomenon that primarily affects women with established gynecological diseases and infections, as well as healthy women. Women who have had abortions also experience late ovulation, but it happens three to four months after the pregnancy was ended. The menstrual cycle then stabilizes.
There are situations when delayed ovulation is a characteristic linked to pituitary disorders or slowed pituitary gland function. You should get tested for your hormonal profile by an endocrinologist.
Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome can start early, causing lower abdominal pain and pulling that can manifest a week after ovulation. Each representative of the fair sex experiences PMS differently; some do not exhibit any signs of approaching menstruation, while others do so only three or four days prior to menstrual bleeding. However, a sizable portion of women experience premenstrual syndrome symptoms approximately seven to eight days prior to the onset of menstruation.
Pulling pains are not usually the only indication. Most women report that they experience bloating in the abdomen, nausea, mood swings brought on by progesterone, and extremely erratic and unpredictable emotional states. Breast sensitivity increases, constipation might occur, or, on the other hand, frequent, liquid stools occur. Many people experience both lower back pain and headaches simultaneously. Many women are certain that they are pregnant up until the day of their period, and these symptoms are frequently referred to as early signs of pregnancy.
The way progesterone affects the female body is directly linked to all of these symptoms. Furthermore, progesterone is still produced regardless of whether pregnancy has occurred during this cycle. Physicians advise searching for genetic explanations for why some women experience PMS while others do not, as this trait is typically inherited.
PMS typically begins in women who are overweight, have low levels of calcium and magnesium in their bodies, are deficient in vitamin B, have experienced severe stress, or do not lead an active enough lifestyle. For women who can’t imagine their lives without coffee, PMS is a common companion of the second phase of the cycle.
Should these symptoms persist between cycles, you should see a gynecologist, get the required testing done, adjust the power system, and increase the amount of whole grains, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits in your diet. It’s beneficial to visit the gym or pool, and it’s crucial to keep an eye on your weight. Refusing chocolate, strong tea, and coffee is advised.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications relieve the pain. Hormonal contraceptives may be advised if the pain is severe and consistent because they can suppress ovulation and alleviate PMS symptoms.
The occurreed pregnancy
If uncomfortable sensations do not usually accompany the second part of the cycle but they did appear in this instance, this could very well be a sign of a pregnancy. Naturally, this is just conjecture, as even the most sensitive test is unable to identify the "interesting" position at such a small date. In this instance, the smooth muscles of the oviduct contract after ovulation, causing the abdomen to pull for two to three days. A week later, pulling pains may indicate that the embryo has implanted itself in the endometrial layer of the uterus.
A common symptom of implantation bleeding, which is light bloody spotting that usually goes away without a trace after 1-2 days, is lower back and abdominal pain. The nipples are sensitive, while the mammary glands might be rough. During the first trimester, there may be a prolonged pulling sensation in the abdomen. As a result, you ought to hold off on taking a pregnancy test until the first day of the delay or wait until about 10 to 11 days after ovulation to take a blood test for hCG.
Avoid taking painkillers if the pain is very bothersome, you feel queasy, and there’s a possibility that pregnancy may have occurred. It is best to speak with a doctor about your concerns, and don’t forget to let the specialist know if you might be pregnant.
Follicle cyst
A follicular cyst typically develops as a result of either incomplete ovulation, in which the follicle has reached maturity but has not yet burst, or if a cavity filled with liquid forms on the gonad following ovulation. Large cysts have the potential to hurt and pull. These cysts frequently manifest in women over the age of thirty, are often painless, and go unnoticed.
In most cases, the fluid cavity resolves on its own if it is physiological in nature. Even functional cysts enlarge during the second half of the cycle due to progesterone’s influence. On the tenth or eleventh day following ovulation, when the fluid from the cavity starts to irritate the gonad’s surface, sharp pain may manifest.
Cyst rupture is a potentially fatal condition that can also cause an elevation in body temperature in certain instances. Thus, you should definitely see a doctor and get an ultrasound if the lower abdomen hurts on the right or left side just before menstruation. Surgery may be necessary for certain cysts.
Other reasons
Systematic pain following ovulation in the latter half of the menstrual cycle may be a sign of benign or malignant neoplasms, which are more serious health issues than PMS or follicular cysts. Progesterone affects metabolic processes in fibroids and other neoplasms, which results in the development of a bothersome pain.
Another possibility is an infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Secondary infertility frequently arises from sex gland damage, which is only a matter of time if you do not receive treatment. Suspecting infectious lesions can be based on concomitant symptoms such as odorous discharge and perineal itching.
Many people often worry when they experience pulling sensations in their lower abdomen following ovulation. This pain is frequently related to the modifications that the body goes through as it adapts to the post-ovulation hormonal changes. Even though pulling and mild cramping can be perfectly normal, it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your body.
Speaking with a healthcare professional could be a good idea if the discomfort continues or gets worse. They can assist in ruling out additional possible reasons and provide direction on how to treat symptoms. Maintaining your wellbeing and properly addressing any underlying issues depends on your ability to recognize your body’s signals and seek professional assistance when necessary.
Though many post-ovulation experiences involving abdominal pulling are common and safe, it’s important to remain knowledgeable and proactive about your health. This strategy will enable you to handle any issues with more assurance and clarity.
Recognizing the causes of lower abdominal pull after ovulation can help allay worries and reduce discomfort. Hormonal fluctuations or the physical effects of ovulation itself are frequently the cause of this feeling. These modifications in the body can cause a range of lower abdominal sensations as it gets ready for a possible pregnancy. People can better control their symptoms and decide when it’s time to consult a doctor by being aware of these typical reactions.