Learn About Mittelschmerz
Mittelschmerz is one-sided, lower abdominal pain that affects some women. It occurs at or around the time when an egg is released from the ovaries (ovulation).
Ovulation pain; Midcycle pain
One in five women have pain around the time of ovulation. This is called mittelschmerz. The pain may occur just before, during, or after ovulation.
This pain can be explained in several ways. Just before the ovulation, the growth of the follicle where the egg develops may stretch the surface of the ovary. This can cause pain. At the time of ovulation, fluid or blood is released from the ruptured egg follicle. This may irritate the lining of the abdomen.
Mittelschmerz may be felt on one side of the body during one month and then switch to the other side during the next month. It may also occur on the same side for many months in a row.
Symptoms may include lower-abdominal pain that:
- Occurs only on one side.
- Goes on for minutes to a few hours. It can last up to 24 to 48 hours.
- Feels like a sharp, cramping pain unlike other pain.
- Is severe (rare).
- May switch sides from month to month.
- Begins midway through the menstrual cycle.
Most of the time, treatment is not needed. Pain relievers may be needed if the pain is intense or lasts a long time. In patients with Mittelschmerz-related symptoms that interfere with their normal activities, the use of an oral contraceptive may be used to control symptoms.
Texas Health Womens Care
Dr. Mina K. Sinacori was born and raised in suburban Long Island, N.Y. She graduated with her medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, and also earned a Master of Public Health degree while at NYU. She is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist.Dr. Sinacori married her college sweetheart and relocated to Houston, Texas, where she completed her OB/GYN residency at Baylor College of Medicine. Prior to joining Texas Health Women's Care, she served as the lead physician in a private practice in the Houston area. Her clinical interests include normal and high-risk pregnancy, contraception, menstrual disorders, breast health, cervical dysplasia, fibroids, robotic/minimally invasive surgery, hormonal therapy, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and preventative women's healthcare. Her goal is delivering individualized and compassionate care for women of all ages.Dr. Sinacori has served on multiple executive boards and committees involved in patient advocacy and quality care initiatives. She was 2021 President of the Houston Academy of Medicine, 2022-24 Chair of the Texas Medical Association's Council on Health Service Organizations, and 2023 President of Harris County Medical Society, the largest county medical society in the country. She has published research on innovative technologies in maternal-fetal medicine and spoken on many topics including wellness, contraception, public health, and HPV vaccination/virology. Dr. Sinacori believes in the benefits of preventive care and healthy living during pregnancy and throughout life. She is passionate about personalizing her patient care around each woman's unique needs for health and wellness.Dr. Sinacori is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She and her husband have two wonderful children and a close-knit family. She loves animals, cooking, and enjoys the outdoors. Dr. Sinacori is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mittelschmerz. Her top areas of expertise are Carney Complex, Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Intestinal Leiomyoma, Female Genital Sores, and Intrauterine Device Insertion.
Dr. Ginger W Carter PLLC
. Dr. Carter is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mittelschmerz. Her top areas of expertise are Menorrhagia, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Menopause, Mittelschmerz, and Intrauterine Device Insertion.
Texas Health Womens Care
Dr. Manisha Parikh has served the health care needs of women in the DFW area since 2006. In addition to her practice, she has served as vice chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Texas Health HEB since 2021. She is also an assistant professor at Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine in Fort Worth. Dr. Parikh is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and holds certification in the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Her clinical interests include adolescent gynecology; minimally invasive and hysteroscopic surgical procedures; and the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), ectopic pregnancy and hormone imbalance. Dr. Parikh earned her medical degree at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, serving as chief resident in her final year. Dr. Parikh is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is a member of the Texas Medical Association and Tarrant County Medical Society. Dr. Parikh has been recognized numerous times as a Top Doc by Fort Worth Magazine and Southlake Magazine and as a Mom Approved Doctor by Fort Worth Child Magazine. Dr. Parikh is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mittelschmerz. Her top areas of expertise are Carney Complex, Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Intestinal Leiomyoma, Intrauterine Device Insertion, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Mittelschmerz can be painful, but it is not harmful. It is not a sign of disease. It may help women to be aware of the time in the menstrual cycle when the egg is released. It is important for you to discuss any pain you are having with your health care provider. There are other conditions that can cause similar pain that are much more serious and require treatment.
Most of the time, there are no complications.
Contact your provider if:
- Ovulation pain seems to change.
- Pain lasts longer than usual.
- Pain occurs with vaginal bleeding.
Birth control pills can be taken to prevent ovulation. This can help reduce pain that is linked to ovulation.
Summary: Uterine fibroids and endometriosis are two frequent diseases among women of reproductive age. They can be responsible for chronic and/or menstrual pelvic pain and abnormal uterine bleeding. The first-line management of these conditions relies on medical treatment. Hormonal treatment with contraceptive pill can be effective, although up to 30% of patients do not respond to this line of treatment. I...
Summary: The menstrual cycle is a term to describe the sequence of events that occur in body as it prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days. However a cycle can range in length from 21 days to about 35 days and still normal. The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of your menstrual period until the first day of your next menstrual p...
Published Date: May 22, 2025
Published By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Yazdani A. Pelvic pain. In: Cameron P, Little M, Mitra B, Deasy C, eds. Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 19.1.