Ovary Pain Causes And Symptoms

Your Ovaries And Pain

Ovary pain causes and symptoms are many and varied. Ovary pain can be a regular monthly occurrence for some women, but if you notice ovaries pain that's not typical for "that time of the month," it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Most of the time, there will be nothing to fear. But it's true with ovary pain as it is with many other disorders: an early diagnosis can make a huge difference in the outcome. 

Ovary pain can be caused by a number of conditions, and the most common ones are listed below. These account for most of the cases in which women seek medical attention for ovary pain. 

Mittelschmerz  All women are familiar with the discomfort that comes with menstruation. Ovary pain symptoms or discomfort that occurs in the middle of their cycle is known as ovulation pain, Mittelschmerz, or mid-cycle pain. This type of pain usually presents as a twinge or cramp in the lower back or abdomen. A small discharge may occur, perhaps with blood.

The word "Mittelschmerz," by the way, is German for "mid pain." It is often associated with ovulation and ovaries pain.

There is a more serious form of ovulation pain known as dysmenorrhea. This condition occurs during menstruation, and is often painful enough to require a prescription pain reliever or hormones.

Ovarian cysts These sometimes cause ovary pain. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that grow on the ovaries. Many women have them during their reproductive years. Typically, they're harmless, although they do sometimes cause ovaries pain. Birth control pills may be used under a doctor's direction to hasten the resolution of a cyst.

Endometriosis This condition is often associated with ovary pain. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body.

Some cysts, called endometriomas, are due to endometriosis. Endometriomas require intervention, either medical or surgical. Endometriosis causes pain in the ovary region, which may vary from woman to woman. It usually begins in mid cycle and escalates through the period.  

Polycystic ovarian syndrome This disorder is also known as PCOS, and it involves hormones. It is believed to affect approximately one woman in ten. It can cause serious long term complications because it not only affects a woman's menstrual cycle, but also impacts her ability to have children, her heart, blood vessels, and appearance. For more information, click on ovary pain and PCOS.

PCOS is characterized by ovary pain, high levels of androgens, missed or irregular periods, and multiple small cysts in the ovaries.

Ovarian cancer This disease is often called a "silent killer" because by the time it's detected, it is usually impossible to treat. There are more than 20,000 new cases every year in the United States, and approximately 15,000 deaths.

Ovarian cancer may cause ovaries pain as it progresses, or it may not. Sometimes the tumor cause discomfort by pressing on a nerve or organ.

Women who have ovarian cancer may also experience pain from treatment, depending on the stage of the disease and a number of other factors.    

Infections Sudden ovaries pain is often a sign of an infection. There are a number of conditions that fall in this category, and any of them occurring near an ovary can cause pain.

When there has been a previous sexually transmitted disease (for instance, chlamydia), a problem like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can occur.

PID causes pain in the ovaries area and may even result in sores to the ovaries. If PID is not treated, it can lead to infertility.

Ectopic pregnancy This is a pregnancy outside of the womb. It happens when the embryo connects onto the fallopian tubes, although it can sometimes happen in the ovaries as well. Eventually, the fallopian tube ruptures causing severe abdominal and ovaroies pain and vaginal bleeding.

Besides pain in the ovary area, some women even report neck pain and shoulder pain, and they typically describe it as "sharp and stabbing."

Ovary pain can occur at any stage of life. Any pain that seems out of the ordinary - more than a twinge - should be noted and discussed with a doctor, especially if there are other unusual symptoms present.