1. Ease Ovulation Pain With Medications
Mittelschmerz is a German word that means "middle pain." About 20 percent of all women will experience mittelschmerz, or pain, during ovulation at some point during their lives. This pain occurs when the woman's body releases an egg (ovulation) approximately two weeks before the start of her menstrual period. Mittelschmerz is usually not severe, and the pain typically goes away within a day or so. To treat ovulation pains, women can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications. Such medications include ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen and naproxen. These medications can help lessen pain and relieve the cramping associated with mittelschmerz.
2. Apply Heat to Loosen Tense Muscles
A more natural way to relieve cramping and pain associated with mittelschmerz is to apply heat to the abdomen or pelvic region. Heat will help relax tense and cramped muscles and increase the flow of blood to the area. A heating pad, a hot water bottle or a warm washcloth or towel placed in the area of the pain for approximately 15 minutes can help. A warm bath can also provide relief from pain with ovulation.
3. Stay Hydrated
Women may notice a more severe episode of mittelschmerz if they have not been drinking enough fluids. If a woman gets dehydrated, abdominal cramping can increase, which can make mittelschmerz worse and more painful. Women who have a tendency to get mittelschmerz should try to drink at least 8 glasses of water or other fluids a day in the days leading up to ovulation to try to lessen their ovulation pain. A woman currently experiencing mittelschmerz may find that increasing her fluid intake can help lessen the ovulation pain she experiences.
4. Consider Birth Control to Alleviate Severe Mittelschmerz
Some women may experience mittelschmerz during every one of their menstrual cycles. Some women may even have severe ovulation pain, which can cause them to miss work, school or social functions. If a woman experiences very painful mittelschmerz every month, she may want to discuss treatment options with her doctor. Birth control, such as the birth control pill, can help treat mittelschmerz. By preventing the woman from ovulating, birth control therefore prevents the occurrence of ovulation pain. This can prove life changing for those women with severe ovulation pain.
