Mittelschmerz is the little-known monthly symptom affecting millions of women

Mittelschmerz is an ovulation pain lasting between a few minutes to several days (Picture: Getty Images) Most women are well acquainted with the period cramps. But if you’ve ever dealt with that same telltale pelvic soreness at other times, you may be one of the millions who experience mittelschmerz. The medical term for ovulation pain, it translates literally into German as ‘middle pain’, referring to the fact that it tends to happen around the middle of the menstrual cycle. Dr Hina Gauher, women’s health lead at Boots Online Doctor, tells Metro that it usually occurs around 14 days before your period, and ‘may feel like a dull ache or come as sudden, sharp twinges’, often on only one side of your lower abdomen. In most cases, it’s (thankfully) short-lived, lasting a few minutes at a time. However, for an unlucky few, mild discomfort may linger for up to two days. And it’s far more common than many realise, with studies estimating that up to 40% of reproductive age women deal with mittelschmerz every single month. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. In fact, scientist claim it could be even more widespread, as many may shrug off their mystery pain without realising it’s a recognised symptom. What causes mittelschmerz? Ovulation happens when one of your ovaries releases an egg as part of your menstrual cycle. This generally takes place around 10 to 16 days before your next period, but exact timings vary from person to person. According to Dr Crystal Wyllie at Asda Online Doctor, while mittelschmerz may seem worrying if you’re not used to it, it’s a ‘harmless’ element of the reproductive process. You can thank your ovaries for this particular side effect (Picture: Getty Images) ‘The pain felt is typically a result of the follicle that contains the egg stretching and breaking open to release it,’ she tells Metro. Dr Gauher explains that it strikes on one side of your body ‘depending on which ovary releases an egg’ that month — and sometimes comes alongside slight vaginal bleeding or discharge caused by how your oestrogen levels fluctuate as a result. Is it something to be concerned about? For most people, no. The NHS says ovulation pain is common, usually resolved quickly, and is generally nothing to worry about. But it’s important not to automatically assume that every mid-cycle issue is mittelschmerz. Have you experienced mittelschmerz or ovulation-related pain? Sign up to Metro's The Slice newsletter for your guide to what's on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways. ‘It can be easy to confuse the condition with others that cause similar pain,’ says Dr Gauher. ‘These include conditions that affect the womb or ovaries, such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts; scar tissue from previous pelvic surgery; or sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as chlamydia.’ As well as speaking to your GP if you have concerns about any of the symptoms you experience or suspect an STI, she recommends seeking medical advice if mittelschmerz doesn’t improve with pain relief or keeps recurring. How to cope with ovulation pain The good news is that if your pain is mild and you’ve established that it is simply mittelschmerz, you don’t necessarily need any specific treatment. Dr Wyllie says: ‘Over-the-counter pain relief and other at-home treatments like a warm bath or heating pad are usually effective at treating ovulation pain.’ It’s a good idea to get to know your cycle (Picture: Getty Images) If your symptoms are particularly troublesome, however, there are other options to discuss with your doctor. ‘A GP may suggest oral contraceptives to stop ovulation from occurring,” she adds. ‘If your doctor suspects a different cause for the pain, they may refer you for further tests, or to see a specialist.’ Ultimately, the most useful thing may be getting to know your own cycle. If you notice the same one-sided pang appearing and disappearing around the same point each month, it’s probably this unfortunate side effect of ovulation. But if pain feels out of the ordinary for you or continues to get worse, it’s worth getting checked out. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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