Why is my ovulation painful?

The tipping point between the follicular phase and the luteal phase, ovulation is a unique stage of the menstrual cycle, even though it only lasts one day. This is when you are most fertile and have the highest chance of getting pregnant. 

The fertility window starts a little before ovulation and ends a bit after (since sperm can live 2 to 5 days depending on conditions). It’s a handful of days during which, if you have unprotected sex, you’re most likely to conceive.

It’s around day 14 or 15, if you have a 28-day cycle, that ovulation occurs. In your ovaries, an egg that has taken time to mature (throughout the follicular phase) reaches maturity. The ovarian follicle, a sort of sac, contains oocytes. 

A single mature egg is released from either the right or left ovary. That’s why some women feel a slight pinch when the egg detaches. Ovulation is the precise moment when the egg is released and travels down the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. 

The pituitary gland, which is in the brain, secretes FSH during the first part of the cycle. FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, stimulates the ovaries and helps eggs or oocytes mature. 

A few days before ovulation, the hypothalamus—another small part of the brain—releases another essential hormone: LH, or luteinizing hormone. Around day 14, LH levels peak, triggering the release of the egg. Ovulation then takes place! 

You can see that ovulation is a pretty complex process, triggered by the secretion of various hormones in your body, especially from the brain, which sets off a chain reaction. At the slightest irregularity, the whole process gets thrown off and ovulation can be disrupted.

The released ovum then produces its own hormone, progesterone. This hormone is essential for the proper implantation of a fertilized egg. Progesterone causes the endometrium (the uterine lining) to thicken, creating a welcoming environment for the sperm-fertilized egg to attach and develop under the best possible conditions. 

If the egg isn’t fertilized and there’s no implantation, hormone levels drop (estrogen and progesterone fall). The thickened endometrium is no longer needed and sheds. This is when your period starts again and a new cycle begins! 

Ovarian pain related to ovulation lasts only a few hours to a maximum of 2 days. The good news: ovulation pain never lasts long. 

From mild discomfort to more intense pain, ovulation pain varies from woman to woman. These pains are often compared to cramps, or sometimes to a sharp, sudden, and localized tension. The pain is usually felt on one side—the ovary releasing the mature egg. With each new cycle, the pain may switch sides. 

Doctors and researchers don’t all agree; several reasons may explain painful ovulation: 

• The level of the LH hormone rises quickly and suddenly during ovulation, which can cause cramps.
• Another explanation: when the egg is released from the ovary, fluid can irritate the nerves or the peritoneum. 
• Ovaries are tiny glands held in place by thin ligaments. During ovulation, the mature egg can get quite large and create some tension.
• The fallopian tubes contract to help the egg move along, and these contractions can be painful.
  The corpus luteum, the shell of the empty ovarian follicle, can also cause pain. 
• The mature follicle may not rupture at the expected time and can continue to grow, meaning the egg isn’t released and ovulation doesn’t occur. This can be really painful and debilitating.     

If you have irregular menstrual cycles, ovulation may be disrupted. There can also be menstrual cycles without ovulation—these are called anovulatory cycles. Several reasons may explain a lack of ovulation and ovulatory disorders: 

• Hormonal disorders: For example, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) prevents ovarian follicles from maturing properly, so they accumulate in the ovary and none are released. Ovulation doesn’t occur. 
• Thyroid issues—a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck—can interfere with healthy ovulation, especially in cases of hypothyroidism. 
  
  
• Endocrine disorders: for example, hyperprolactinemia and its excessively high level of prolactin (the lactation hormone). This interferes with the production of LH and FSH, and therefore with ovulation.
  
  
• Too much stress can disrupt your whole body, especially LH, the luteinizing hormone. Without LH, there’s no ovulation.
  
  
• Smoking increases the risk of ovarian insufficiency (higher FSH levels). Smokers reach menopause earlier than non-smokers.
• A diet high in fat and saturated foods can negatively affect ovulation. 

Certain medical conditions can affect ovulation:

• various hormonal disorders, 
• Endometriosis, 
• untreated chlamydia can cause blockage of the fallopian tubes, 
• uterine malformations,
• or even ovarian cysts.

Menstrual string, menstrual thong, or light-flow period panties—you have options! For ovulation, there’s no need to reach for your heavy-flow period underwear. A light-absorbency style is more than enough to handle vaginal discharge and keep you dry throughout the day.

At Louloucup, we have two particularly interesting menstrual products that are perfect for you: 

• The Chloé light flow menstrual thong is €24.90 instead of €28.90. Available in sizes XS to XXL, this pretty black thong is super discreet!
• or the Mia light flow period underwear at €28.90. Available in sizes XS to XL, this beautiful black lace period panty is feminine, delicate, and sexy! 

The best news? The more period products you add to your cart, the lower the price per item! That’s our sliding scale pack. With 5 period panties in your cart, you save €30! 

The great news? Shipping and delivery are free!