When You Feel Ovulation Pain, Is It Too Late to Conceive?

You might already know that ovulation plays a key role in your chances of getting pregnant. It marks the fertile window of your monthly cycle, a window that typically only lasts a few days, but it can be tricky to identify.

There are some signs of ovulation you can learn to look out for, including, for some women, ovulation-related pain. But when you feel ovulation pain, is it too late to conceive? Let’s get into it, and discuss together.

What Is Ovulation Pain?

To begin, let’s start with the basics, and unpack what ovulation pain really is.

Also known as Mittelschmerz, ovulation pain is a type of discomfort you may feel when you’re ovulating. You might find yourself feeling it on one side of your lower abdominal area during the middle of your cycle, and according to some studies, may affect around 40% of menstruating women at some point in their lives.

What Causes Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz)?

While the exact cause for pain during ovulation is unknown, it’s possible that it’s caused by a follicle rupturing when releasing an egg. This rupture can trigger blood or fluid to also be released, potentially irritating the abdomen lining and causing some discomfort.

However, if you’re noticing pain in your lower abdomen or potentially back pain during ovulation, it may not always be due to ovulation, but potentially certain conditions that may affect your reproductive organs.

A key factor that separates Mittelschmerz from other causes is timing. If you’re only noticing pain for a brief moment during the midpoint of your cycle, it’s likely to be ovulation related - whereas if the pain is persistent or occurs at other times in your cycle, the root cause may be something else.

PCOS, for example, is a common condition that affects many women worldwide, and often comes with discomfort, particularly during your periods. While there may not be a cure, PCOS supplements are a great way to support your reproductive health and hopefully alleviate any pain or other uncomfortable symptoms. 

What Does Ovulation Pain Feel Like?

Mittelschmerz Symptoms

However, if you suspect that you may be experiencing Mittelschmerz, try and look out for some common ovulation pain symptoms, including:

• Dull and achy

• Sharp and sudden

• On one side of your lower abdomen

As Mittelschmerz will only be felt on the side of the ovary that is ovulating this cycle, it’s normal for the pain to change sides from one cycle to the next. In contrast to period cramps, ovulation pain doesn’t usually ‘radiate’, but rather stays in one, specific spot.

Does ovulation cause cramps or sharp twinges?

In contrast to period pain or GI pain, Mittelschmerz is only felt during a small window midway through your cycle, as you ovulate. Some women describe the pain to feel like twinges, pokes, pressure, or cramping after ovulation.

It can also feel similar to other common causes of discomfort, such as gas, mild cramps, or even appendicitis, if felt on the right side.

To help identify whether the pain you’re experiencing is ovulation-related, try to notice if it occurs alongside other common ovulation symptoms. This might mean a change in cervical mucus, a rise in your basal body temperature (BBT), or whether the pain only lasts for a short period midway through your cycle.

When Does Ovulation Pain Happen?

Will I Feel Ovulation Pain Before or After Ovulation?

Ovulation pain can occur just during or after ovulation, so it’s important to remember that if you feel ovulation pain, it doesn’t necessarily mean your fertile window has passed.

Due to how its timing can vary, Mittelschmerz may not be a perfectly timed marker of ovulation itself, but rather an indicator that ovulation is very close.

How Long After Ovulation Pain Is the Egg Released?

As the timing of your pain can vary, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the egg is released. But as ovulation pain is usually only 1-2 days maximum, and your fertile window itself is very brief*, we can assume that an egg is often released before 12-24 hours of Mittelschmerz occurring.

Although it may be a helpful guide when making a rough estimate, monitoring ovulation pain alone is not the most accurate way of tracking your fertility.

* Your fertile window typically lasts from a few days before ovulation, until a day or two after ovulation has occurred, as after being released from an ovary, an egg’s lifespan is only short (12-24 hours). 

How Long Does Ovulation Pain Last?

Ovulation pain varies from one woman to the next. While some women may only notice it for a moment, others may experience it for several hours - but overall, Mittelschmerz shouldn’t last longer than 1-2 days.

Similar to the rest of your monthly cycle, your Mittelschmerz can fall into a sort of monthly rhythm, making it easier to identify, but it can also vary month to month, and may fluctuate with your current health.

If you’re trying to conceive, you may be wondering about the relationship between the timing of your ovulation pain and your chances of getting pregnant. 

Let’s discuss this further, and help you time intercourse around your fertile window effectively.

When You Feel Ovulation Pain, Is It Too Late to Conceive?

Timing Intercourse Around Ovulation Pain

Ovulation Pain and Pregnancy Success

Sometimes, feeling a sort of pain may feel alarming, like there’s something wrong. But Mittelschmerz can be completely normal, and is often little cause for concern.

Feeling ovulation pain can in some ways be a positive sign of ovulation, making it easier for you to identify your fertile window and time sex accordingly for pregnancy.

If you’re TTC and are interested in supporting egg quality and conception, you could consider trying the Prenatals - supplements specifically designed to support egg cell health and your overall fertility. While they can benefit you at any time of your cycle, we recommend taking them in advance of ovulation.

There are even some claims suggesting that women who experience Mittelschmerz may be more likely to be regularly ovulating and have a normal fertility window - although these findings are largely anecdotal rather than scientific fact.

That being said, ovulation pain itself doesn’t directly guarantee or improve your chances of pregnancy, but it can help you and your partner learn when your fertile window is and time sex, which in turn helps your chances.

Let’s now touch on some other tracking methods, and how they can help offer you clearer insights into your fertility health.

How to Track Ovulation Beyond Pain

While ovulation pain can be a helpful sign to monitor, the best way to get the most accurate picture of your ovulation is by learning to look out for multiple key indicators at once.

Generally speaking, women with ovulation cramps TTC who track their ovulation signs, including Mittelschmerz, LH surge, BBT spikes, and cervical mucus changes, are generally more likely to successfully conceive than those who don’t.

While cervical mucus and ovulation pain can be easy to identify, you may want to try using a targeted, data-backed tool to track your hormone levels and BBT, such as our Hormone Monitor and Wands, or our Basal Body Thermometer. These devices both automatically sync to the Mira App, so you can collect and track your readings together and get a clear, data-led visual on your fertility.

When Ovulation Pain May Be a Concern

Signs Ovulation Pain Might Not Be Normal

Ovulation pain can certainly be part of a normal, healthy menstrual cycle. However, in some instances, there may be a sign that something could be amiss, so be sure to look out for any potential ‘red flags’ that may suggest you need to speak with your doctor.

Common red flags include:

• Pain that lasts more than 2 days

• Severe, debilitating pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fever 

It can be easy to disregard some of these signs if you’re used to some ovulation pain, but to avoid mistaking Mittelschmerz for cyst rupture, infection, or even appendicitis, try to remain diligent in tracking your symptoms to better notice anything out of the ordinary.

Could It Be Endometriosis or Ovarian Cysts?

It can be hard to know when the pain you’re feeling is normal ovulation pain, or a sign of something more.

Certain conditions, such as endometriosis or ovarian cysts, often present with similar pain, but they can be distinguished from Mittelschmerz if they align with other symptoms, or if in doubt, through a medical diagnosis from your doctor.

Endometriosis pain is usually more persistent, and may be particularly severe during your period. You may also notice pain during or after sex, or abnormally heavy periods. On the other hand, ovarian cysts can cause sharp mid-cycle pain, similar to Mittelschmerz, but may also trigger constipation, bloating, unusual periods, and pain that can be felt in the general pelvic area.

If your pain is frequent or worsening, you should speak with your doctor, who will be able to confirm any potential health conditions and necessary treatment. You could also consider our Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility if you’re experiencing painful, irregular, or unclear ovulation patterns, as professional coaching can help you interpret signs such as ovulation pain in the context of your wider cycle health.

Tips for Treating Ovulation Pain at Home

Typically, medical treatment won’t be necessary for mild ovulation pain. However, it can be uncomfortable at times, so you can try some simple, practical relief strategies to ease the pain if needed. 

Common relief methods include:

• Gentle heat (heating pad or warm bath)

• Light stretching or yoga

• Staying hydrated

• OTC pain relievers (if appropriate)

• Avoiding strenuous activity during peak pain

Many women also find relief in supportive herbal teas or lifestyle tools, such as the Fertility Tea, as a calming, gentle way to promote balance and potentially ease any discomfort.

*Always remember, if your pain is severe or recurrent, to consult a healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Ovulation pain may not affect every woman, but for many, it can be a perfectly normal, healthy part of her monthly cycle, just like period related discomfort. 

Some women even find it to be a helpful tool, enabling them to identify when they’re ovulating, and time intercourse with their partner accordingly based on pregnancy goals.

While it can last anywhere from a few minutes to 1-2 days, you should be able to continue your day to day activities without difficulty, but if your pain is persistent or extreme, be sure to reach out to your doctor. 

We hope you found this article helpful. Always remember to keep track of your symptoms, and try to notice if anything unusual or out of the ordinary comes up, so you can understand what’s normal for you and your body with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions 

If I am experiencing ovulation pain, does it mean I am fertile?

Ovulation pain does typically indicate that you’re ovulating, indicating that your cycle is working properly, and you are fertile at this time. On the other hand, not having Mittelschmerz doesn’t mean that you’re not ovulating nor infertile.

What can one do to subside ovulation pain?

Ovulation pain is usually mild, but if you do want some relief, consider trying OTC pain relievers (if appropriate), gentle heat such as a hot water bottle or a warm bath, and staying hydrated. Stretching and yoga are also other great options for easing discomfort.

Why did I have no ovulation pain this month?  

It’s normal to experience some change in your typical menstrual cycle symptoms. Depending on various factors, such as your hormones, current health, age, and other external factors (activity, diet), you may not always have ovulation pain every month.

Will you experience ovulation symptoms if fertilization occurs?

Ovulation symptoms signify that ovulation has/is occurring, and rather than whether fertilization has happened. However, there are some implantation symptoms to look out for, such as spotting (light vaginal bleeding) in the days after.

Does an ovarian cyst cause pain during ovulation?

Sometimes you may feel pain caused by ovarian cysts during ovulation. To identify the cause of this pain, try and see if there are any other associated symptoms of cysts or ovulation. For example, note how long the pain lasts, its location, and other accompanying symptoms.