MamasHealth.com Home Women's Health Adenomyosis Atrophic vaginitis Bartholin's abscess Cervical dysplasia Cervical polyps Cervictis Depo provera Domestic violence Endometrial hyperplasia Endometrial polyps Endometriosis Escape an attacker Folic acid Finding time for sex Hormone therapy Alternatives How to be a better mom HPV scare Important health tests Labial reduction surgery Menorrhagia Menopause Menstrual cramps Midlife checklist Mittelschmerz Moms need friends too Ovarian cysts Painful sex Pelvic exams PID PMS Polycystic ovarian Preeclampsia Pregnancy Salpingitis Toxic shock syndrome 1 Toxic shock syndrome 2 Urinary incontinence Urinary tract infection Uterine bleeding Uterine fibroids Vaginal cysts Vaginal dryness Vaginal rejuvenation Vaginal warts Vaginismus Vaginitis Vulvar dystrophy Vulvitis Vulvodynia Women & calcium Women & medicine Women & heart Disease Yeast infections Links Email Mama Tips to get him in the mood Why women should care about prostate cancer Donating your eggs Help for rape victims Stay at home moms Women and calcium 9 things women should know about men Shy girls guide to flirting	What is Mittelschmerz? Mittelschmerz (MITT-ul-shmurz) is lower abdominal pain that occurs in women just before, during, or after the time of ovulation. It usually occurs about 14 days before your next menstrual period. Pain is usually a dull ache that lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Mittelschmerz may be felt on one side one month, then switch to the opposite side the next month, or it may be felt on the same side for several months in succession. This occurs because the pain radiates from whichever ovary is ovulating. Mittelschmerz is a German word meaning 'middle pain'. About 20% of women experience mittelschmerz. Some women experience it every month, some don't Symptoms of Mittelschmerz Pain in the lower abdomen at the time of ovulation Slight vaginal bleeding accompanying the pain Feeling sick to your stomach Sharp, cramping pain Treatment for Mittelschmerz Treatment for mittelschmerz is aimed at reducing the pain. Ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen can be taken to ease the pain. If pain is severe, birth control can be taken to prevent ovulation. Complications of Mittelschmerz There are usually no complications. Call Your Doctor You should call your doctor if: The pain does not go away in a few days. You have increased vaginal bleeding. You have any unusual vaginal discharge. Seek care immediately if you have any of the following symptoms increase in pain vomit blood see blood in your bowel movement feel dizzy high fever difficulty urination difficulty breathing swollen abdomen
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