Why Would I Have Slight Discomfort and Mild Ache's Below My Belly, Where My Ovaries Are?
84When to Know you Should Go to the Doctor
When a woman is ovulating there is often some discomfort, ranging anywhere from some tension in the back and below the belly button to a quick sharp stabbing pain. This is when an egg is being released from the ovaries to make its journey up through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus. Usually this can occur around mid-cycle of your ovulation period. It is perfectly normal to experience this; on the flip side, many women do not have any discomfort during ovulation, this is also perfectly normal. There are certain conditions that can occur which are not normal, however and depending on the severity, you may want to be checked out by a gynecologist.
There are two conditions that can cause minor to severe discomfort before menstruation and during your period. One is called endometriosis, which is defined as uterine tissue which grows outside the uterus. Roughly 5-10% of women are diagnosed with this condition, usually during their peak child-bearing years. Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain, internal bleeding, (usually menstrual blood which flows up into the fallopian tubes, and eventually, scarring. It is a very serious condition which requires the attention of a gynecologist. Some of the symptoms of endometriosis are: diarrhea or constipation, lower back pain, abdominal pain, irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding or (less commonly,) blood in the urine. Rare symptoms of endometriosis include: coughing up blood, (because of endometriosis in the lungs,) chest pain, headaches, or seizures (due to endometriosis in the brain.) Because of the scarring which can occur in the uterus and of the fallopian tubes endometriosis can cause infertility.
The levels of pain and/or bleeding may change from month to month and varying greatly between women. Some women experience an incremental increase of symptoms over time; while others see their symptoms resolve without any treatment at all.
Endometriosis is managed on three different levels. First, there is an assessment for the need of pain management, depending on the severity of discomfort a woman is experiencing. Secondly, a gynecologist will do a pelvic exam, in order to see if s/he can feel the endometrial nodules outside of the uterus. However, the most sure fire way to diagnose endometriosis is something called a laparoscopy. This is an out-patient surgical procedure, usually preformed with general anesthesia, but is sometimes performed with a local. (I'd ask my doctor for general anesthesia, though, are you kidding me?) If nodules are definitely present, some will be removed for further study and biopsy. In less than one percent of women having endometriosis has been linked with different kinds of cancer. Further study will need to be done to find out if these numbers are circumstantial.
The second condition I would like to discuss is uterine fibroid tumors. This condition is more common among women of childbearing age than endometriosis, I should know, I have it myself. Over 25% of white women and upwards of 50% of African American women will be diagnosed with uterine fibroid tumors during their reproductive years.
The symptoms are very similar to that of endometriosis, which is one of the reason a gynecologist visit is necessary if you exhibit any of these symptoms: heavy or painful periods, (sometimes very painful,) bloating, back ache, peeing a lot or an inability to urinate, bloating and in rare cases infertility. Painful intercourse can also be a symptom of uterine fibroid tumors, depending on where the fibroid is located. The most obvious symptom of uterine fibroid tumors, however, is passing the tumors themselves. They'll be, (usually,) a circular mass of muscle tissue passed during your period ranging in size anywhere from a dime to upwards of the size of your fist. This can be very uncomfortable and is usually accompanied by some intense cramping.
While pregnant uterine fibroid tumors can cause bleeding, premature labor, miscarriage or interfere with the position of the fetus. It is very important to tell your obstetrician if you suspect you could have uterine fibroid tumors. I was very lucky during my pregnancy, the uterine fibroid tumor, (a rather large one,) sharing my uterus with my daughter shrank and eventually disintegrated during my pregnancy. Usually your obstetrician will want to monitor any uterine fibroids via ultrasound while you are carrying a child. Sometimes surgery is necessary, other times it's best just to wait it out and see what will happen.
It's important to realize that although we use the word tumor, these particular kinds of tumors are almost always non-cancerous. Surgery to remove the growths may occur, and it is generally common practice to conduct a biopsy on them, however, usually there are no cancer cells found in uterine fibroid tumors. Sometimes surgery is necessary because of the position of the tumors, if they're pressing against the fallopian tubes it can cause severe discomfort and blockage, leading to scarring and eventual infertility.
Some ways to manage your pain during menstruation when you have fibroid tumors, (these work for women who do not have tumors, as well,) is to limit caffeine intake, (including chocolate, sorry, ladies,) avoid alcohol, and taking Tylenol. It is a good idea to engage in light to moderate exercise as well, this can do wonders for anyone during their menstrual cycle, especially stretching and aerobic exercise, as this gets the blood flowing and releases natural endorphins which aid in natural pain relief. When I mention limiting caffeine I should say completely cut caffeine out of your diet during PMS and while menstruating. Caffeine is very detrimental to your well-being during your period, one of the reason I never understood why it is one of the main ingredients in Midol. The caffeine allows the pain medication to be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream and helps combat some of the sluggishness associated with your period, but exercise, Tylenol, and 8-10 glasses of water a day can have the same effect.
In essence, if you feel that there is anything amiss with your period or during your menstrual cycle the best thing you can do is go to your gynecologist. Your reproductive health is much too serious to leave to chance.
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I hope it's nothing serious as well, it might just be a bad case of PMS, but it's always best to have it checked out. Try not to worry to much, (I know, easy for me to say,) I'm sure it will be okay.
A very interesting hub. I didn't know that anyone could actually pass a fibroid tumour. That sounds as if it would be quite distrubing, especially if you had no idea what it could be.. Thanks for the information.
I freaked out the first time I noticed it. I had some killer cramps and ended up going to the emergency room. So, yes, it is very disturbing, but there wasn't much they could do for me w/o me having brought in the tumor. It's more of a gynecologist thing than an emergency room thing, but I was young and didn't know what was up.
Extremely well written and informative. Thank you so much for sharing. I will be passing this on to my daughter who suffers through her cycles as well.
to add fuel to the fire, there is also the possibility of ovarian cancer, the most insidious cancer of all. Symptoms are vague discomfort in the abdomen, which is often times mistaken for PMS, endo, fibroids, regular cramps, gas, indigestion and what not. When women go to their doctor for this if none of those other things can be blamed, the doctor often just thinks they are hysterical females who complain to get attention, and who can't cope with a little intestinal gas and tells them to take maalox or something. Most times the symptoms are so vague that the women don't do anything. Until it is too late.
hot dorkage: Absolutely! We need to be taken seriously as a patient, and I would say that if you're having these kinds of problems and are treated as a "hysterical female," or not taken seriously to find another doctor as soon as possible. There are better methods used to detect ovarian cancer, now, I think if you go in well-informed as to your options and with a list of symptoms it's possible to be taken more seriously, but if you aren't, again, I'd find a new doctor.
Gods Child: Thank-you, I appreciate your compliment. I hope it's nothing serious, but hopefully the advice about regulating caffeine and daily exercise will help. She probably should go in and get it checked out, either way, there could be something that can be done.
Thank you all and thank you Nicole especially with an informative hub, I'm making an appointment to see the doc next week! It's the first time I really experienced a weird discomfort there. I have had bad cramps but in the belly never really below, so it kinda got me a little worried that something could be wrong. So I will see what the doc says although I hate going to the doctor, I'd rather find out now before it's too late as hot dorkage says. Thank you again
Yea! Good luck with the doctor, like I said, I don't want you to worry too much, it might just have been an egg being released or something completely innocent, (spicy food or some stomach weirdness like that,) just in case, though. Good luck and good health.
Got a get my wife to read this hub, to be on the safe side!!! Thanks
Great Caruso: Awesome, if she's not having any problems, though, she's probably OK. :) Everyone should go to the gynecologist at least once a year anyways, though, it's just sound health.
Nicole,
Abdominal pain, of any kind --sharp, dull, persistent, etc., could be caused by problems on *any* abdominal organ, starting with the stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, ovaries, etc. Of course, ovarian cancer must be on the list of differential diagnoses.
As you know, only a qualified doctor could find the real cause of the pain: the studies requested must include a sonogram, plain X-rays, a CT scan and a MRI scan --plus the obligatory blood and urine tests, etc.
Unfortunately, my recommendation requires an experienced and caring physician who would see, examine and talk to you for more than five minutes. This is also related to the type of health coverage you have.
Thinking about a *serious* problem and if you do not get satisfactory care, consider paying for the necessary tests yourself.
Our doctors answer this type of questions every few minutes through our web site at:
Hlife.info/qa
For interesting health and medical information, visit our sites Hlife.info * MedicNet.info
Good luck!
stevecw md
stevecw md: Thank-you so much for commenting on my hub. You're absolutely right, of course, any symptoms like these should warrant a check-up with your doctor. Most people don't have the kind of money to pay for those kinds of tests, though, and while I realize being healthy is priority #1, it's difficult to shell out that sort of money, especially in the tough economic times were facing right now. Thank-you, though, for mentioning some of the other abdominal issues which can cause that sort of pain.
hi, nicole, one more good informative hub. thks
sukkran
Thanks, sukkran, I appreciate you taking the time out to read it!
Well written and informative Hub...lot of good information and sound advise...Thanks Nicole
maven101: Thanks for the compliment! I appreciate you stopping in to read & comment.
Nicole- I have never been "normal" when it comes to Mother Nature coming to visit me. I was put on birth control when I started my period, because it was SO abnormal. A few years later, I found I had cervical cancer. So there was another reason for abnormality. These days, and four kids later, I am STILL not normal, and I am beginning to get bad cramps. My mom and sister both had "problems", (serious cramps, clots, unmeasurable pain) so as they couldn't even get out of bed for the first couple of days.
Great hub! Very informative.
Thanks for sharing with us, MamaDragonfly2677, I hear your pain. The women in my family have similar issues, clots, terrible cramping, periods that just won't go away. It's important to let your gynecologist know what you're going through to make sure it isn't anything more serious, (cervical cancer!?!, congratulations on beating the beast,) especially when it comes to our reproductive health. Wishing you all the luck, thanks for coming by!
What a great hub Nicole. I've had my share of ovarian issues that weren't taken seriously at first, even by my gynecologist. So, I turned to mother nature and my female elders to heal myself. As years passed and more research was done, I was taken more seriously by the medical community.
Final vercict? Polycystic ovary disorder as a result of insulin resistance, or pre-diabetes.
In the end, the most important thing we can do as women is to educate ourselves. The reality is that only we can be responsible for our health, which is why hubs like this are so crucial.
Latrelle Ross: Thank-you so much for sharing this with us! I am really happy you have finally been taken seriously by your doctor. Educating yourself is cruicial, do you have diabetes, now? Can you give us some tips on some of the things you've done to help ease discomfort? Thanks, Latrelle... I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
Thanks Nicole. I am not diabetic thanks to the steps I've taken to balance my health. I exercise daily and eat a balanced, whole food diet ~ no more junk foods (well, sometimes, but not on a daily basis and not as the majority of my calories ;~D ).
To ease discomfort, what surprised me the most was that the pain medication I was given actually made the pain worse. I did my research and discovered that anything that is hard for the liver to process is going to set your estrogen off kilter, and consequently your cycle.
Ice packs were the best immediate relief for the abdominal pain, something the women in my life told me about and my doctors never suggested (men don't have ovaries, so how would they know???). I started learning about natural wellness and eliminated meat, dairy and eggs that contained hormones. Cut out refined white flour and sugar ~ actually, all refined foods. I also quit smoking ~~ this was a huge key in getting all of the chemicals out of my body.
You won't notice an immediate change when eliminating hormones, chemicals and refined foods. Since our bodies operate on a cycle, you will notice each month that the pain will lessen and you will start feeling like a normal person ~ your hormones won't fluctuate as much.
I actually went for 6 mos. eating a strict vegan diet ~~ this is what jump started my healing. This was back in 1994. It wasn't until 2002 that modern medicine caught up with me and agreed that my blood sugar was part of the problem. I also spent 2 mos. on diabetes meds in 2002, which really got my blood sugar under control.
Hope this is helpful :)
Latrelle Ross: Are you kidding me? This is *beyond* helpful, thank-you so much! You went well beyond the elimination of caffeine and take an ibprofen. (That was the advice one of my first gynecologists gave me. Thanks, buddy.) I really appreciate you taking the time out to help inform us all of what worked for you. I've been thinking a lot about cutting junk out of my diet, I'm afraid of getting diabetes. Being a very strict carnivoire, I can't adhere to a vegan lifestyle, (losing most chocolate alone would kill me ;) but there are measures you can take to limit the amount of hormones and chemicals in your fish, meat and poultry... eggs, as well! Again, thank-you so much for posting this, especially the use of ice packs, usually I use a heating pad, which helps for immediate relief, but I've noticed the pain actually seems to get worse when you aren't using it afterwards.
I forgot to mention that the first piece of advice I was given ~ by my gynecologist no less ~ was to have a baby. "This will all get better once you have a baby. In the meantime, we'll put you on the pill."
Excuse me? What kind of a cure was that? And the pill didn't work ~~ my body retaliated and still ovulated, so I still had pain :P
I was only vegan for a little while ~~ the pain/ inability to walk was all the motivation I needed. Now I just eat hormone free ~~ it's easier to find and cheaper than it used to be.
Latrelle Ross: Oh, that's *rich* advice. I think some men believe that women who complain about abdominal cramps "just need something to do," hence the baby suggestion... honestly!?! I hear you, not being able to function is some serious motivation to change your life style. I'm so happy, too, that eating hormone and additive free has become cheaper and easier lately. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful insight with us, I really appreciate your comments / suggestions! Keep up the great work.
Miss G says:
12 months ago
Thank you SO much for answering my request. I also had a booming headache for the last couple of days. I hope it's nothing serious. I have to call my doctor tomorrow then. I was hoping it's nothing too serious. Thank you again for posting this very informative hub for me.