Is It Too Late to Conceive After Ovulation Pain?

Is it too late when you feel ovulation pain?

It is possible to experience ovulation pain without actually ovulating. This is because the pain is not necessarily a sign of ovulation, but rather an indication of a problem. The term “ovulation syndrome” refers to painful ovulation, and it can be caused by endometriosis or an ovarian cyst called a corpus luteum cyst. It may also occur when fluid builds up in the follicles before they release an egg. Ovulation syndrome can also be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), uterine fibroids, or other medical issues related to pregnancy.

What Is Ovulation Pain/Cramps?

Ovulation pain is the pain that some women feel when an egg is released from their ovaries. Most women will experience it about 14 days before their period. For many, it’s not a big deal—think of it as similar to menstrual cramps or slight breast tenderness. But for others, it feels like a sharp jab or sudden twinge in the lower abdomen or back. In most cases, you’ll only feel it on one side of your body, depending on which ovary released the egg.

This pain is caused by increased blood flow to your pelvic region during ovulation and slight friction between your fallopian tube and the egg being released. It can also be caused by ovarian cysts, endometriosis, adenomyosis (uterine muscle tissue growing into the uterine wall), infections of your reproductive tract (such as PID), or fibroids in your uterus.

Where does ovulation pain occur?

In most cases, you feel the pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis, either in the middle or on one side. You may feel it on the side where the ovary is releasing an egg. For most people, the ovaries release eggs every other month. Each ovary releases an egg on its turn.

You’ll feel pain in the right ovary when the egg is being released. Some women experience pain on both sides during their cycle.

Ovulation Pain Symptoms

Ovulation pain is often described as a sharp, stabbing pain in the abdomen. It can be on one or both sides of your ovaries and may last from a few minutes to several hours. The discomfort can range from an irritating ache to shooting pains, and it can come and go. The pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours. You may also experience:

• Light vaginal bleeding.
• Vaginal discharge.
• Nausea, if the pain is bad.

How long does ovulation pain last?

There are a few different ways to answer this question. According to Dr. Ploch, ovulation pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days—but it’s most likely you’ll only feel mild discomfort for an hour or two. If your pain lasts longer than a couple of days, consider calling your doctor and scheduling an appointment if you’re concerned.

For some women, ovulation pain is more severe than just “mild discomfort,” which could mean there’s something else going on. If that’s the case for you but the pain fades away after several hours, it could still be normal—especially if the pain is less severe the next time around (assuming you experience some degree of ovulation pain with every cycle). But if ovulation continues to cause severe abdominal cramping and comes with other symptoms like fever or diarrhea, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Ovulation cramps vs. implantation cramps

While implantation is certainly a common cause of cramping, it’s not your only option. You may be experiencing ovulation pain. Ovulation pain is usually felt on one side of the body and lasts a few hours. It’s often described as a dull ache that comes in waves—similar to menstrual cramps—but without the accompanying bleeding.

If you’re experiencing cramping but no bleeding, you may still be able to conceive this month. The best way to know whether or not you’re fertile is through OPKs (ovulation predictor kits), which will tell you when you’re about to ovulate by measuring levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. If you take an OPK and it’s positive, then congratulations! You can have sex now and potentially become pregnant.

How Can I Really Tell When I’m Ovulating?

If you’re trying to conceive, it’s worth investing in an ovulation predictor kit. These can be purchased online or in-person at any drug store. The kits test for the rise of luteinizing hormone (LH), which indicates that ovulation is about to occur or is occurring.

It’s also possible to get pregnant after ovulation pain has subsided, as long as sperm stays alive and mobile during the wait period. For sperm health, it may be best for men who plan on having unprotected sex around their partner’s fertile window to avoid wearing synthetic underwear and other tight clothing that could raise scrotal temperature

Here are some methods you can use to find out when you ovulate:

• It is easiest to figure out when you will ovulate if you know when your menstrual cycle will start – ovulation usually occurs around 10 to 16 days before your period starts
• Around ovulation, you may notice your cervical mucus is wetter, clearer, and more slippery
• The temperature of your body will rise after ovulation takes place, so you may be able to find out what it is with a thermometer
• Ovulation predictor kits – hormone levels increase around the time of ovulation, and these levels can be detected by measuring the hormone levels in urine.

Using a combination of these methods is likely to yield the best results.

There are other symptoms women may experience when they’re ovulating, such as breast tenderness, bloating, and mild abdominal pain. These symptoms are not reliable indicators of ovulation, however.

Is there anything that can delay or stop ovulation?

“An egg is only viable for about 24 hours after ovulation,” Goldstein explains, “so if you wait until you ovulate to have intercourse, you’ll probably miss your chance to get pregnant that month.”

Also When your body is stressed, your hormones can take a hit. And since hormone levels affect ovulation, it’s possible that stress could impact the timing of your period or ovulation.

This also applies to travel. Changes in time zones can cause some people to feel jet lagged or off-kilter for several days.

Some medications can affect when you ovulate, including:

• birth control pills (lowering the chance of pregnancy and preventing ovulation)

How long are you fertile after ovulation pain?

Your fertile window—i.e., the days when you’re most likely to get pregnant—lasts for about six days each month, generally five days before ovulation and ending about 24 hours after it. Ovulation occurs when your ovary releases an egg (a process called ovulation). Your egg can be fertilized for up to 24 hours after it’s released. Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract as long as five days after sexual intercourse under the right conditions. This is why you can get pregnant shortly after you stop feeling ovulation pain, but only during a certain period each cycle.

To recap: You may experience some cramping or pain with ovulation, which is normal and benign in most cases. If you want to become pregnant, that’s great! But if not, make sure to use protection during intercourse in your fertile window—including one day before and one day after you feel ovulation pain.

Is it too late to conceive on day of ovulation?

The short answer is no. Although egg health and quality declines with age, there’s still about a 1 percent chance of conception each month. If you have unprotected sex on the day of ovulation, it’s possible to get pregnant.

It’s important to know that sperm can live inside a female reproductive tract for up to 5 days after sexual intercourse. This means that if you have sex before your ovulation day, it is still possible to get pregnant.

Ovulation typically occurs about 2 weeks before your next period starts and happens when an egg moves from your ovary into one of your fallopian tubes. You can conceive up to 5 days after this occurs because sperm can live in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days after sexual intercourse. Your fertile window begins approximately 6 days before ovulation and ends around 24 hours after ovulation.

How do I know ovulation is over?

You’ll know ovulation has ended when your temperature rises by 0.5 degrees and stays up, or you stop having ovulation pain, test negative for LH, or test positive for progesterone. You’re now in the luteal phase until your period begins again.

Your basal body temperature (BBT) increases after ovulation and stays high until your next period. This is called the luteal phase.

The time between ovulation and the start of your next period is usually 12 to 16 days (this is called the luteal phase). If it lasts longer than that, it could mean you’re pregnant or have a condition like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). After you ovulate, a hormone called progesterone makes your BBT rise about 0.4 to 1 degree Fahrenheit when you get up in the morning — this is because progesterone regulates temperature in the body during this part of the cycle. A sustained increase means that ovulation has ended for this cycle and you can now begin trying to conceive if that’s what you want to do!

How Long Does Ovulation Pain Last?

It might be hard to believe, but ovulation pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours. It’s rare for discomfort to last longer than that, however. Commonly reported durations of ovulation pain are:

• 12–24 hours
• 24–48 hours
• 45 minutes–4 hours

How to Find Ovulation Pain Relief

If you are experiencing ovulation pain and are hoping to conceive, there are several ways that you can find relief. Some of these include:

• Taking an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Wearing loose clothing
• Cuddling with a warm water bottle or using a heating pad on your lower back while resting or sleeping
• Take a warm bath or shower
• Stretching your muscles by doing yoga or other exercises, or asking your partner to give you a massage

Can you still get pregnant when you’re not ovulating?

Your uterus needs to be growing a new lining for you to have enough blood to make a baby. A mature egg is released once the lining is built. That release is what causes ovulation pain.

If you are not having regular periods and ovulation, it may mean that your body isn’t preparing your uterus for pregnancy every month. This can happen if:

• You have very low body weight or have an eating disorder, like bulimia or anorexia
• You’re under extreme stress, physical or emotional
• You use certain drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about irregular cycles.

What If I’m Struggling To Get Pregnant?

Next, visit a fertility specialist for a check-up. They’ll be able to give you a comprehensive analysis of your reproductive health and advise next steps. For example, they can use blood tests or ultrasounds to measure the hormone levels in your body and determine whether you’re ovulating properly.

If you suspect that you already have a condition related to infertility—if you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, for instance—they may diagnose it again just so they know the severity.

Sometimes all that’s needed is an adjustment of lifestyle habits in order to get pregnant. Other times, the doctor will recommend medication or surgery if they think it will improve your chances of conceiving naturally.

Ovulation pain is usually a good sign.

The good news is that the fact that you’re experiencing ovulation pain or mid-cycle cramping means you are probably ovulating. This is a positive sign of fertility, which means your body is going through the process of preparing and releasing an egg. When you ovulate, your body releases an egg into one of your fallopian tubes, where it can be fertilized by sperm.

If you are not using contraception, regular ovulation and mid-cycle pain may actually be an indicator that you can get pregnant now or in the future — even if it doesn’t happen right away. It shows that your body is fertile and capable of pregnancy (and therefore likely to become pregnant).

Some women have it and others don’t.

It’s normal for many women to have some cramping during ovulation, but experts aren’t sure why some women have it and others don’t.

Ovulation pain affects up to half of all women at some point in their life. Ovulation cramps affect roughly 20% of women every month. This is typical in most cases.

Severe pain, on the other hand, is not. Endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease can cause intense or chronic pelvic pain. This is also not normal if the pain prevents you from having sex or going about your everyday activities.

The aches you’re feeling may or may not be related to ovulation. In these circumstances, what could be causing ovulation pain?

Takeaway

Understanding how ovulation works can help you understand how ovulation pain works. Remember that you’re not alone. Many women experience ovulation pain, and it is often a sign of fertility. Ovulation pain can sometimes be felt on only one side, but it doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong. Women don’t always ovulate when they have ovulation pain. It can simply be a sign of ovulation. You can have ovulation pain without knowing you’re experiencing ovulation because the process is so internal.

FAQ

Ovulation pain vs. ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop on the ovaries. While they may sound scary, ovarian cysts are generally benign and most go away on their own within a few weeks, according to Jennifer Wider, M.D., women’s health expert and author of The New Health Rules. But sometimes larger ovarian cysts can cause pain during ovulation because they block the release of an egg—a situation known as ovarian torsion—and if that happens, you might need a laparoscopy to remove it, Dr. Wider says. Still, don’t mistake your normal ovulation pain for something more serious—if you’re worried about your symptoms or experience any of these other signs of an ovarian cyst, talk with your doctor about ways to make an accurate diagnosis.

Ovulation pain vs. endometriosis

One other condition to consider if you’re experiencing pain during ovulation is endometriosis. Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside of the uterus—sometimes causing pain, sometimes not. If your doctor suspects that you have endometriosis, they’ll perform an ultrasound or laparoscopy. The good news is that while endometriosis can cause infertility, it can be treated successfully with medication and surgery.

When it comes to ovulation pain, your best bet is to speak with your doctor and make sure you understand what’s normal versus what isn’t. While severe pain during ovulation may be indicative of a larger problem, mild discomfort and cramping are perfectly normal.

Can you get cramping 4 days after ovulation?

In the event that you are pregnant at 4 DPO, a sperm cell fertilized an egg released four days ago. This usually takes place within your fallopian tubes. When the egg cell and the sperm cell unite during fertilization, the two cells become a zygote.

To reach the uterine cavity, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube. The zygote will begin to divide into many cells at the same time. These cells are “totipotent,” which means they can transform into any of the human body’s cells.

The zygote will have divided into 16 totipotent cells about four days after conception. The zygote is known as a morula at this time. The morula will continue to divide and develop until it develops into a blastocyst (approximately 50 to 60 cells) and then an embryo. The fertilized egg is a morula or an early blastocyst at 4 DPO.

Ovulation cramps on birth control

The majority of people who take birth control pills don’t get ovulation cramps, but it’s important to remember that “the pill” isn’t the only way to prevent ovulation.

If you’re using condoms, they’re unlikely to affect whether or not you have ovulation cramps; if you had cramping during ovulation before you started using condoms, you’ll almost certainly still receive ovulation cramps.

If you have an IUD (intrauterine device), you may experience heavier periods and discomfort during ovulation and menstruation for the first 3-6 months.

Can ovulation cause lower abdominal pain?

When a woman ovulates, she may have a one-sided ache in her lower abdomen.

When an ovary releases an egg as part of the menstrual cycle, it happens roughly 14 days before your period.

It’s also known as “middle pain” (German for “middle pain” or “pain in the middle of the month”).

Ovulation discomfort is a common symptom of menstruation and is considered a natural side effect.

Sources:

• Brott NR, Le JK. Mittelschmerz. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Accessed 11/24/2020.
• Better Health Channel. (Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia). Ovulation Pain. (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ovulation-pain) Accessed 11/24/2020.
• Merck Manual. Pelvic Pain. (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/symptoms-of-gynecologic-disorders/pelvic-pain) Accessed 11/24/2020.
• NHS. Ovulation Pain. (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovulation-pain/) Accessed 11/24/2020.
• Durai R, Ng PC. Mittelschmerz mimicking appendicitis. British Journal of Hospital Medicine (2005). 2009 Jul;70(7):419-. doi:10.12968/hmed.2009.70.7.43133
• Kruszka PS, Kruszka SJ. Evaluation of acute pelvic pain in women. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Jul 15;82(2):141-7.
• What Is Mittelschmerz (Painful Ovulation)? Cleveland Clinic. 2015
• Gartner LP. BRS cell biology and histology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2018 Nov 1.
• Kuznetsov L, Dworzynski K, Davies M, Overton C. Diagnosis and management of endometriosis: summary of NICE guidance. Bmj. 2017 Sep 6;358:j3935. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3935
• Sievert LL, Dubois CA. Validating signals of ovulation: do women who think they know, really know?. American Journal of Human Biology: The Official Journal of the Human Biology Association. 2005 May;17(3):310-20.
• Ecochard R, Gougeon A. Side of ovulation and cycle characteristics in normally fertile women. Human Reproduction. 2000 Apr 1;15(4):752-5. doi:10.1093/humrep/15.4.752
• Wittels K, Sommerkamp SK. OB/GYN Emergencies, An Issue of Emergency Medicine Clinics, E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012 Nov 15.
• McInerney KA1, Hatch EE2, Wesselink AK2, Rothman KJ2,3, Mikkelsen EM4, Wise LA2. Preconception use of pain-relievers and time-to-pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. Hum Reprod. 2017 Jan;32(1):103-111. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew272