You experience twinges of discomfort on one side of your abdomen, and it keeps happening, month after month. What’s the cause of your one-sided pelvic pain, and do you need medical care to address it?
For women, monthly, one-sided pelvic pain may be related to ovulation. But other conditions can cause this symptom, as well.
In this blog, experienced OB/GYN Dr. Leonardo A. Longoria offers information about the causes of recurrent, one-sided pelvic pain, as well as advice on what to do about your symptoms. Dr. Longoria provides pelvic pain diagnosis and treatment from Longoria OBGYN in El Paso, Texas.
Once a month, your ovary releases an egg, called ovulation. For some women, ovulation is accompanied by a painful feeling in the pelvic area.
Medically, we use the German word “mittelschmerz,” meaning middle-pain, to describe this type of painful ovulation. You may notice the pain alternates sides from month to month, although some women ovulate from the same ovary.
The good news is that mittelschmerz usually only lasts for a short time and isn’t a cause for medical concern. This symptom can coincide with ovulation, but it isn’t a reliable way to track fertility on its own. If it causes you difficulty, it can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen.
Mittelschmerz typically occurs about halfway between your menstrual periods, which is when most women ovulate. You may also experience pelvic pain due to menstrual cramps, either just before your period starts or while you’re menstruating.
If your period cramps are severe or interfere with your daily life, talk to Dr. Longoria about your symptoms.
While there’s a good chance your one-sided pelvic pain relates to your menstrual cycle or ovulation, there are a few other causes of pelvic pain you should know more about if you’re experiencing this repeated symptom.
A sharp pain on the lower right side of your abdomen can indicate appendicitis. This symptom isn’t likely to recur and may be accompanied by vomiting and fever. Contact the emergency room right away if you suspect you may have appendicitis, as this infection can become life-threatening without the correct care.
You may have an underlying condition causing your pelvic pain, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), kidney stones, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), a urinary tract infection (UTI), an ovarian cyst or uterine fibroid, or an ectopic pregnancy. It’s important to note that an ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.
Some conditions, like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and endometriosis, are likely to cause chronic pelvic pain. Your other symptoms and health history help Dr. Longoria determine the cause of your pelvic pain.
If your pelvic pain symptoms continue for multiple months, it’s a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional. Don’t let pelvic pain interfere with your activities or goals. It’s easy to reach out to an experienced OB/GYN to relieve your concern and your symptoms.
For confidential, compassionate, and knowledgeable support for your pelvic pain, contact Dr. Longoria today. Schedule an appointment at Longoria OBGYN by calling our office or booking online.
