Ovaries, like all of our organs should not be painful, and women should not even be aware of them. However, many women do experience pain or discomfort from time to time.
The ovaries are the primary organs responsible for sexual characteristics of women and are responsible for reproduction. Every month from puberty to menopause a “follicle” in one of the ovaries will mature into an egg and is released for possible fertilization in a process called ovulation.
Some women have discomfort during this process for a few hours that can be in the middle, or either side, or both sides of the body. The older medical term for this is Mittelschmerz (German for pain in the middle). Nausea, increased vaginal discharge and/ or bleeding may accompany the pain. Treatment is not always necessary; however, many women are prescribed birth-control pills to prevent ovulation and the associated pain that comes with it.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is another condition that causes pain in the ovaries, uterus, and/o fallopian tubes. It is a bacterial infection usually caused by an STD (sexually transmitted disease) from gonorrhea, or chlamydia. Other causes of infection can occur from any invasive procedure such as abortion, or IUD (intra-uterine device) insertion, or surgery. Childbirth or miscarriage can also cause PID. Normally anti-biotics are used to treat the infection either by pills, injection, or hospitalization for more sever cases.
Torsion … a condition where the thin ovarian ligament connection to the abdominal wall becomes twisted (torsion) or knotted. This can cut off the nerves and blood vessels that supply the ovaries. A cyst on the ovary can weigh it down and cause a twisting or torqueing as well. This is a very serous condition that requires immediate surgery to prevent death of the ovary from lack of blood.
Endometriosis is an abnormal growth of tissue on the outside of the uterus and has been found inside the pelvis, abdomen, or ovaries. This menstrual-like tissue behaves outside the uterus as it does inside the uterus. in response to monthly hormones it grows in the body just like the lining of the uterus. Upon menstruation, it begins to shed and causes pain, cramping, and internal bleeding. This excess tissue requires surgical removal. However, a less severe condition may respond to pain meds, or hormones.
Ovarian cyst … An ovary may grow a cyst, causing pain, bloating, and menstrual changes. A cyst is a fluid filled sac attached to the ovary, and may or may not cause any symptoms at all. A large or ruptured cyst, however, can cause a variety of symptoms, including: bloating or a full feeling, pain or discomfort, and/or frequent urination. While most are benign, they can turn cancerous; therefore it is usually wise to watch and wait to see if it goes away, especially if its small. If larger, and bothersome, removal may be the best option. Sometimes birth control pills will shrink the cyst.
Ovarian remnant syndrome is only in women that have had fallopian tubes and/or ovaries removed. If any of the ovarian tissue is left inside it may continue to produce hormones and/or pain. Women may also have pain during a bowel movement or with sex. Treatment to reduce or eliminate symptoms, can be with radiation or medication to destroy remaining tissue, or additional surgery.
Referred pain can come from another organ but feels like its coming from the ovary. Kidney stones, appendicitis, constipation, early pregnancy or real pregnancy can cause pain. Once the origin of pain is determined, pain medication, laxatives, or time for kidney stone to pass will be determined.
- Caution … Any new, sudden, severe, or unusual pain should be seen by a doctor. Examination and diagnostics should be performed. Especially when accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.
While there are no serious health complications or long-term problems associated with Mittelschmerz, a ruptured appendix (which can feel like ovarian pain) or ovarian cyst rupture requires immediate treatment at the emergency room.
Infections, PID, or endometriosis dictate fast treatment to prevent long-term damage such as infertility. Like-wise, ovarian torsion may kill the ovary or cause severe infections if it is not treated quickly.
