What Does Ovulation Pain Feel Like?

If you want to start becoming a parent, then there are ways on how you can improve your chances of getting pregnant. One of them would be getting the timing just right and having sex during your ovulation period. While there are ways you can predict your ovulation, you may also experience a few symptoms with it. Sometimes it may be painful as well! So what does ovulation pain feel like? Knowing the feeling is critical so you know when to time the dates you have sex for better conception, as well as how you can treat it.

So read on as I talk about ovulation and what to expect.


What is Ovulation?

Ovulation occurs when your body releases a mature egg from your ovaries, which travels down to the fallopian tube (source). This is then fertilized by a sperm, implanting in your uterus (only when you do try for conception). If ever this happens, then you're pregnant! 

The ovulation period is the days you will be most fertile and likely to become pregnant. From five days before ovulation up to the day of ovulation, you'll be able to have better chances of having a baby. The probability of pregnancy would begin to increase as the days near the ovulation date. BUT, they will rapidly decrease a day after the woman ovulates.

There are different ways you know when you're ovulating, either by checking for changes in your vagina's mucus, using a test kit, or even recording your basal body temperature and using a calendar. You can also track it if you have regular periods since it would usually happen two weeks before your expected due date.

What Does Ovulation Pain Feel Like? Is It Serious?

There are some uncomfortable symptoms you may feel during ovulation, with pain being the most common. Many women would experience discomfort in their body, most specifically these areas (source):


The hormones coming into your body during the ovulation period may make your breasts and nipples very sensitive, resulting in tender or sore breasts. It can be quite painful and uncomfortable, especially when lying on your stomach.

Pelvis or Lower Abdomen

You might feel the ovulation through pain on one side of your lower abdomen. You won't feel it on both sides simultaneously. It's called Mittelschmerz, with this painful feeling lasting between minutes to hours.

Along with the mild and temporary pain, you may experience light bleeding or discharge. Sometimes nausea, which is similar to having your period.

Not to worry, as this is a typical type of pain women have during ovulation, and there's nothing to worry about. You can learn more about Mittelschmerz in this video:

How Long Does Ovulation Pain Last?

Any form of pain during ovulation would last for less than a day. It will go away within 24 hours and again, there is nothing to worry about when dealing with this pain.

Since the pain is mild, you can still try to conceive a child, depending on your mood and preference. But I would suggest that if you do feel too uncomfortable, wait for one day or until the pain starts to subside. After all, certain positions heighten the chances of having a baby and it may be difficult to do them when feeling pain.

Tips on Treating Ovulation Pain

There are no specific treatments required if you have pain during ovulation. Some women brush it off since the pain is that mild. But if you do experience noticeable pain, here are some of the methods you can follow:


Using a heating pad or warm bath can help soothe the pain, similar to as if you were suffering from menstrual cramps.

Over-the-Counter Pills

Whether you experience sharp pains in the vagina or abdomen, most women take painkillers to relieve the pain, usually ibuprofen or naproxen.

Birth Control Pills

If you aren't trying to get pregnant and the pain gets too severe, women would take birth control pills to prevent ovulation from happening, thus avoiding the pain.

Seeing a Doctor

You will need to see the doctor if the pain gets too intense that you aren't able to do anything. This might be more serious than just Mittelschmerz, so it's best to have a doctor check it out and give a proper diagnosis.

In Conclusion

Even before getting pregnant, there might be a whirlwind of symptoms and pain you may feel, especially during your ovulation period. While this is normal for many women, it's still best to know what to expect and how you can treat it.

I hope that this article answers your question: "What does ovulation pain feel like?" So if ever you do feel any pain during that time, you know when to try for conception, and won't be negatively shocked by the symptoms you feel.

If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with ovulation and the symptoms, then comment down below. I will appreciate all your thoughts and opinions.

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Sarah Palmer


Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 3 comments
Julia Morales - September 8, 2017

Hi Dear, thanks for sharing this. I’ve always known when I am ovulating, from way back in my teens. I have noticed that for the last couple of years since I had DC three, it has been getting more and more noticeable. Sometimes my tummy is so tender I hesitate to walk properly as it is so painful on the side that I am ovulating. It only lasts about twelve hours. All along, I’ve never deciphered nor discovered any tips of treating the ovulation pain. That’s why I highly regard this article for stipulating that and say, THANK YOU.
Best Regards,
Julia Morales.


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