Some women often experience pain in the ovary, which is usually related to the menstrual cycle and is therefore not a cause for concern as it is caused by the ovulation process.
However, ovarian pain can also be related to a disease such as endometriosis, cysts or pelvic inflammatory disease, especially when you are not menstruating. Therefore, it is important that the woman is attentive to all signs and symptoms, to consult the gynecologist if necessary.
1. Ovulation
Some women may experience pain at the time of ovulation, which occurs around the 14th day of the menstrual cycle, when the egg is released by the ovary into the fallopian tubes. This pain can be mild to severe and can take a few minutes or even hours and can be accompanied by a slight bleeding and in some cases the woman may also feel sick.
If this pain is very intense, or if it lasts for several days, it can be a sign of diseases such as endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy or presence of cysts in the ovaries.
What to do: treatment for pain caused by ovulation is generally not necessary, however, if the discomfort is too great it may be necessary to take painkillers such as paracetamol, or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or speak to the doctor to start taking a contraceptive.
2. Ovarian cyst
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled pouch that can form in or around the ovary and can cause pain during ovulation and intimate contact, delayed menstruation, increased breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding, weight gain and difficulty getting pregnant. Find out what the main types of ovarian cyst are and how to identify them.
What to do: the ovarian cyst usually shrinks in size without the need for treatment. However, if this does not happen, the cyst can be treated with the use of the contraceptive pill or even resorting to surgery that consists of its removal. If the cyst is very large, shows signs of cancer or if the ovary is twisted, it may be necessary to completely remove the ovary.
3. Twist of the ovary
The ovaries are attached to the abdominal wall by a thin ligament, through which blood vessels and nerves pass. Sometimes, this ligament can end up bending or twisting, which causes intense and constant pain that does not improve.
Twisting of the ovary is more frequent when there is a cyst in the ovary, as the ovaries become larger and heavier than normal.
What to do: ovarian torsion is an emergency situation, so if there is a very severe and sudden pain it is important to go to the emergency room to identify and start the appropriate treatment.
4. Endometriosis
Endometriosis can be another cause of pain in the ovary, which consists of the growth of the endometrial tissue outside its normal location, such as outside the uterus, ovaries, bladder, appendix or even intestines.
Thus, endometriosis can cause symptoms such as severe pain in the belly that can radiate to the back of the back, pain after intimate contact, pain when urinating and defecating, heavy bleeding during menstruation, difficulty in becoming pregnant, diarrhea or constipation, tiredness, nausea and vomiting.
What to do: there is still no cure for endometriosis, but treatment can help relieve symptoms. To treat endometriosis, medicines such as the birth control pill or IUD can be used, which help to reduce the growth of endometrial tissue, or anti-hormonal medicines such as Zoladex or Danazol, which reduce the production of estrogen by the ovaries, avoiding the menstrual cycle. and preventing, therefore, the development of endometriosis. In addition, surgery can also be used, which consists of removing the endometrial tissue located outside the uterus, in order to reduce symptoms and make pregnancy possible. Find out more about how surgery for endometriosis is done and what the risks are.
5. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease consists of an infection that begins in the vagina or cervix and reaches the fallopian tubes and ovaries, causing symptoms such as fever, belly pain, bleeding and vaginal discharge and pain during intimate contact.
What to do: The treatment consists of using antibiotics for about 14 days, which must also be done by the partner and avoiding intimate contact during the treatment.
