Intense and Prolonged Ovulation Discomfort
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for some advice and insights on a situation I’m currently facing. I’m a 29-year-old female, currently at cycle day 19, just past ovulation. For the last couple of days, I’ve been experiencing consistent pain in my lower abdomen. It began as a mild irritation but has escalated to a level akin to severe menstrual cramps—weighty, crampy, and persistent—though thankfully, I haven’t experienced any significant bleeding. I did notice some very light spotting a couple of days ago, but nothing else has followed. The discomfort seems largely localized to the left side, radiating into my hip and leg. Unlike typical cramps that fluctuate, this pain has remained constant, and conventional pain relief methods have not alleviated my symptoms. I’m also dealing with systemic joint flare-ups, gastrointestinal issues reminiscent of my menstrual cycle, and increased discharge that resembles what I normally experience during arousal, even though I’m not in that state at the moment. While I have encountered ovulation pain in the past, it’s generally mild and brief, lasting only a few hours at most. This case, however, feels distinct. If I were on my period, I would easily cancel plans without hesitation, but since that’s not the case, I find myself a bit anxious about these symptoms. I can keep my focus, but the pain is always looming in the background. Additionally, I’ve suffered from sporadic lower back pain over the previous months, which has impacted my mobility. I believe it ties back to pelvic discomfort potentially involving my SI joint. At my last visit with my gynecologist, I was told that I have a slight indication of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as evidenced by pearl-like formations, although a hormonal panel on day three of my cycle did not confirm PCOS. The results showed low levels of SHBG and elevated PTH, which may be pertinent. Typically, my cycles are very regular, featuring heavy bleeding with significant clotting on day three. Notably, I’ve begun to experience ovulation spotting consistently over the past few months. My health background includes a fibromyalgia diagnosis (which I question), insulin resistance, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and I’ve previously undergone cholecystectomy. My medications consist of statins, omeprazole, and I am currently undergoing a treatment cycle with doxycycline for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). I also take venlafaxine, Concerta, vitamin D, and folic acid. For managing this recent discomfort, I attempted to take 400 mg of ibuprofen yesterday and found that a combination of 200 mg of paracetamol with 500 mg of dipyrone was largely ineffective as well.
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 1:50:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your details—your discomfort sounds quite distressing. It’s important to recognize that while some ovulation pain can be normal, the prolonged and intense nature of your symptoms, along with the radiation to your hip and leg, warrants careful consideration. Here’s a structured response to address your concerns.
Main Points:
- Prolonged ovulation discomfort can occur but should not typically escalate to severe pain.
- You have several factors to consider, including your past health history and current symptoms.
- Immediate steps include monitoring your symptoms while considering potential lifestyle adjustments.
Explanation:
Ovulation pain, known as mittelschmerz, usually resolves within a few hours to a couple of days and typically doesn't escalate to severe levels. The persistence and severity of the discomfort you’re experiencing, combined with other systemic issues, suggest that it may be related to something more significant, such as a possible ovarian cyst, endometriosis, or other pelvic conditions.
Your history of PCOS and the recent hormonal symptoms also add complexity to your situation and could signify that your ovaries are reacting differently than normal, possibly leading to discomfort. It’s also important to consider your fibro and joint issues, as referred pain can complicate the picture.
Next Steps:
-
Symptom Tracking: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, including the intensity and duration of pain, any changes in discharge, and other gastrointestinal or joint symptoms. This record can help identify patterns and might be useful for future discussions with your healthcare provider.
-
Pain Management: While ibuprofen may not have been effective, consider trying heat therapy (such as a heating pad) on your abdomen or lower back to help alleviate discomfort. Gentle stretching or light physical activity might also aid in reducing discomfort.
-
Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to help with gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Practice deep breathing techniques or meditation to help manage anxiety related to the discomfort.
-
Monitor for Alarm Symptoms: Keep an eye out for worsening symptoms, such as fever, heavy bleeding, severe nausea/vomiting, or significant changes in your usual patterns. If you notice any of these, it's best to seek medical attention promptly.
-
Consider Follow-Up Options: Given the severity and duration of your symptoms, it may be helpful to schedule a follow-up with your gynecologist or a healthcare provider who specializes in pelvic pain or endometriosis for further evaluation and exploration of your symptoms.
Your symptoms deserve careful attention, and being proactive about them is a wise approach. Let me know if you need more specific guidance or clarification on any points!
Related Questions
Concerns About Abdominal Discomfort
To start with, I feel compelled to mention that I struggle with severe health-related obsessive-compulsive disorder, which leads me to intensely focus on any symptoms I experience, resulting in unnecessary worry. Recently, I began to experience some discomfort in my abdomen, specifically in the area just below my right breast, which has now evolved into tenderness upon touch. This soreness is located beneath my rib cage, and I haven't experienced any changes in my appetite or feelings of nausea. My last bowel movement occurred on Thursday, and as of this morning, the discomfort has shifted slightly, now positioned just above my belly button. I had a regular bowel movement this morning and was able to take a walk without any issues. The pain only manifests when I cough or during the transitions between sitting and standing. Initially, I was concerned about the possibility of a hernia, but I understand that the pain associated with a hernia typically does not shift in location like mine seems to. I should also note that I am classified as overweight and have been living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for which I’m taking a proton pump inhibitor. Fortunately, my heartburn symptoms have remained stable, largely influenced by my dietary habits. Over the past year, I've dealt with some weight fluctuations due to medication side effects and stress (ranging from 330 pounds to 275 pounds and back to 310 pounds). Thankfully, I have not encountered vomiting or any changes in my bowel movements. I would appreciate any insights or advice on this matter.
Lymph Nodes Observed in Abdominal CT Scan
A 26-year-old female, standing at 5'1" and weighing 70 kg, who does not smoke and drinks alcohol occasionally, has been experiencing gastrointestinal problems characterized by alternating periods of constipation and softer stools since January 24th. Additionally, she was diagnosed with a bladder infection on February 3rd, which was treated with a single dose of antibiotics totalling 3000 mg. She sought emergency medical attention due to significant discomfort in her lower left back, initially feeling colicky before becoming a constant dull ache, leading to an overnight stay for an abdominal CT scan the following morning. The findings from this scan have caused her some concern, particularly regarding identified lymph nodes. **Medical Findings:** Diagnosis: Lumbosacral radiculopathy and fecal impaction. **Treatment Approach:** The patient has been prescribed spasmolytic analgesics and will undergo further radiological evaluation. **CT Scan Results:** The low-dose native abdominal CT revealed normal appearances of the kidneys and urinary tract on both sides, with no signs of urinary retention or kidney stones in the renal pelvis or ureters. However, a few small, nonspecific mesenteric lymph nodes were detected in the mesenteric root and perizocecal areas, along with small inguinal lymph nodes on both sides. There is also no indication of appendicitis, and the colon contains a moderate volume of stool. The remainder of the low-dose CT findings are within normal limits. **Ultrasound Findings:** The abdominal ultrasound indicates grade I ectasia of the left renal pelvis, while no abnormalities were noted in the left renal pelvis, and the bladder was observed to be empty following urination. **Next Steps:** A referral for further urological evaluation is recommended alongside maintaining adequate hydration, with analgesics suggested if pain management is necessary.
Can Eating More Fiber Alleviate Menstrual Cycle-Related Constipation?
Every month, during the week and a half leading up to my menstrual period, I experience constipation. I'm curious if boosting my fiber consumption might ease this issue. I already ensure that I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I am a woman in my mid-20s.
Seeking Relief from Mild Fecal Impaction: Should I Go to the ER?
At 20 years old, I find myself dealing with a frustrating issue: fecal impaction. It's not something I've faced before, or at least I can’t recall, but I’ve had chronic stomach difficulties throughout my childhood, including constipation from ages four to twelve. Recently, I've been experiencing more digestive challenges after a few years of feeling normal. Currently, I’m under the care of a gastroenterologist, and we’re working on diagnosing the underlying problems. For about five days now, I haven't been able to relieve myself. While I’ve had considerable gas, that’s been the only symptom. Today has been particularly difficult; I’ve spent the last 11 hours in the bathroom grappling with severe discomfort and impaction. Each attempt to relieve the situation is excruciating, to the point where my body is resisting the effort—it’s so painful that I find myself in tears. I imagine this is what birth must feel like. I suspect this intense fear and pain are remnants of my past struggles, as for many years I’ve feared using the bathroom due to the agony it causes. Despite trying various remedies like Miralax mixed with coffee, a bullet suppository, and even a manual approach with gloves, nothing is yielding results. I’m genuinely tempted to head to the emergency room and ask them to put me under so they can help me without the pain. My mother suggests they would likely opt for a liquid suppository treatment like they did during my childhood, which was quite traumatic. I’m torn—it feels like the ER might be my last resort, but I'm concerned they won’t take me seriously since my situation doesn’t seem dire. How foolish would it be to bring up wanting sedation? I desperately want to avoid this pain; it’s becoming increasingly difficult, and I’m fighting back tears from the frustration. Can they truly provide sedation for this type of issue even when it isn’t severe? I worry that my parents might react negatively to my quest for relief and think I’m being dramatic. I’m utterly drained and don’t know where to turn. When there’s no painful push against my body, I can’t even sense the severity of the issue, yet, I am experiencing leakage, leaving me unsure. Would it be unreasonable to pose this question to the doctors in the ER? I apologize if this message is jumbled; I’m also dealing with a migraine, making it hard to focus. For context, my daily medications include phentermine, iron supplements, and vitamin D. I stand at 5’4” and currently weigh 204 pounds as part of my ongoing weight loss journey.
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.