Mittelschmerz
Medical Author:
Frederick B Gaupp, MD
Coauthor:
Laszlo Sogor, MD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Bryan D Cowan, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Lee P Shulman, MD
Mittelschmerz OverviewMittelschmerz (pronounced MITT-ul-shmurz) is a German word that means middle pain. This pain occurs during ovulation—the midpoint between menstrual periods, about 2 weeks before a period may begin. The discomfort can appear on either side of the lower abdomen depending on which ovary is producing the ovum (egg). Pain can be on one side of the abdomen one month and switch to the opposite side during the following cycle. About 20% of women experience this type of midcycle pain. Most of the time, it is a mild annoyance. In rare instances, it can be unbearable. |
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Mittelschmerz
Ovarian Cysts Overview
Ovarian cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that develop in a woman's ovaries. Most cysts are harmless, but some may cause problems such as rupturing, bleeding, or pain; and surgery may be required to remove the cyst(s). It is important to understand the function of the ovaries and how these cysts may form.
Women normally have two ovaries that store and release eggs. Each ovary is about the size of a walnut, and one ovary is located on each side of the uterus. One ovary produces one egg each month, and this process starts a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. The egg is enclosed in a sac called a follicle. An egg grows inside the ovary until estrogen (a hormone), signals the uterus to prepare itself for the egg. In turn, the lining of the uterus begins to thicken and prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg resulting in pregnancy. This cycle occurs each month and usually ends when the egg is not fertilized. All contents of t...
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Gynecologic Pain »
The uterus, cervix, and adnexa share the same visceral innervation as the lower ileum, sigmoid colon, and rectum.
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