Ovary Pain During Perimenopause: What’s Going On?

Causes of Ovary Pain During Perimenopause

Ovary pain refers to the discomfort or pain you feel in the lower abdomen. Its intensity can vary – some might experience a dull, aching sensation, while others may have sharp, cramp-like pain. 

Did you know? 

Ovary pain occurs as a normal part of menstruation. During mid-cycle (around day 14), you might experience pain on either side of your lower abdomen, depending on which ovary releases the egg during that cycle. This is called ovulation pain or mittelschmerz, caused by the release of an egg from your ovary.

But what causes this pain to suddenly increase during perimenopause? Here are the causes:

1. Hormonal Fluctuations:

• During perimenopause, your hormone levels swing up and down. The fluctuation in the levels of oestrogen and progesterone can make your menstrual cycles irregular – in one month, you might experience heavy or prolonged periods, while in the next month, you might not have periods at all.  These changes can affect your ovaries and cause discomfort and pain.

2. Ovarian Cysts:

• Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside the ovaries. Hormonal changes happening in your body during perimenopause can lead to formation of ovarian cysts. If these cysts grow large in size or ruptures, it can cause pain.

3. Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz):

• Mid-cycle pain is normal – you experience this pain when an egg is released from the ovary. However, hormone fluctuations during perimenopause can make this pain more pronounced.

4. Endometriosis:

• Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that normally lines the insides of the uterus starts growing outside it – on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the intestines. Hormonal changes during perimenopause cause endometriosis to progress or flare up, causing pain in the pelvis.

5. Fibroids:

• Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus. A large fibroid can put pressure on the surrounding tissues, distort the shape of the uterus and cause inflammation, which affects the ovaries as well. This results in ovary pain and pelvic discomfort.

6. Ovarian Torsion:

• Ovarian torsion is a rare emergency condition that requires surgery. It occurs when an ovary twists on the ligaments that support it, cutting off blood flow. Ovarian torsion can cause sudden and severe pain, typically on one side of your abdomen.

7. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

• In this condition, multiple cysts develop on the ovaries. If a cyst becomes too large or ruptures, it can cause ovary pain.

Read more: Nutrition Guide to Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

8. Other Medical Conditions:

• Other conditions like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (an infection affecting the female reproductive organs), ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilised egg gets implanted outside the uterus), gastrointestinal conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), constipation, physical injury or ovarian cancers can also cause lower abdomen and ovary pain.

Symptoms Associated with Ovary Pain During Perimenopause

Wondering if the tummy ache you’ve been experiencing is ovary pain or something else? Here’s how ovary pain during perimenopause feels like:

1. Localised Pain:

• Ovary pain may be localised on one or both sides of your lower abdomen, depending on the location of the affected ovary.

2. Pain Radiating to the Lower Back or Thighs:

• Sometimes, the pain radiates to your lower back and thighs, especially when ovary pain is caused by large cysts or fibroids that put pressure on the nerves.

3. Cramping:

• The pain may be cramp-like, similar to the pain you experience during the monthly menstrual cycles. It can vary – in some, it might be more intense and occur for longer durations, while in others it may be mild and relieves after some time.

4. Sharp Pain:

• You may experience a sharp, severe and stabbing kind of pain, especially if ovary pain is caused by underlying conditions like ovarian torsion or a ruptured cyst.

5. Dull, Aching Pain:

• If the pain is continuous and not very severe, it could be caused by conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, infection or inflammation within the pelvis.

6. Pain During Menstruation:

• Hormonal fluctuations and irregular menstrual cycles during perimenopause can worsen the pain you normally experience during periods. 

7. Pain During Ovulation:

• Because of the changes in hormone levels, women in perimenopause experience ovulation pain more intensely. This pain can also coincide with ovary pain caused by other health conditions.

8. Changes in the Menstrual Cycle:

• Your menstrual cycles become irregular during perimenopause. This irregularity brought on by hormonal changes also affects how often you experience ovary pain.

9. Nausea and Bloating:

• Ovary pain can be accompanied by sensations of nausea and bloating.

10. Changes in Bowel and Urinary Habits:

• If ovary pain is caused by large ovarian cysts or fibroids, they can press against your bladder or rectum, resulting in an increased frequency of urination or difficulty in passing stools.

11. Fever:

• Pelvic infections like PID can cause fever along with ovary and pelvic pain.

Solutions for Relieving Ovary Pain During Perimenopause

“Experiencing ovary pain alongside the hormonal fluctuations and changing reproductive health can take a toll and leave women overwhelmed. But relief is possible – pain-relieving medicines, lifestyle modifications and herbal remedies can help reduce the discomfort and improve overall well-being.” - Dr Aswathy Krishna. R, Senior Ayurveda Consultant at Nirva.

Here are some practical methods that can relieve and manage ovary pain during perimenopause:

1. Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers

• Certain medicines called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can reduce the inflammation within your body and relieve pain and discomfort. An ibuprofen pill can give you quick relief from ovary pain.

2. Heat Therapy

• Applying a warm compress or heating pad to your lower abdomen can relax the muscles and reduce cramping.

3. Lifestyle Modifications

• Simple changes in your lifestyle like eating a balanced diet, regular physical exercise and practising stress-relieving techniques like yoga, pranayama and meditation can regulate hormone levels and reduce pain.

4. Hormonal Treatments

• The main cause of ovary pain during perimenopause is the fluctuating levels of hormones, especially oestrogen and progesterone. Hormone therapy or birth control pills can replace these hormones in your bloodstream, thereby regulating your menstrual cycles and reducing ovary pain.

5. Changes in Your Diet

• Including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like nuts, seeds, and fish, and vitamin and antioxidant rich foods like fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet can reduce inflammation in your body and reduce ovary pain.

6. Herbal Remedies

• Sipping on herbal teas prepared using anti-inflammatory herbs like ginger, turmeric or chamomile can reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
• Including phytoestrogen-rich herbs (herbs that contain certain compounds that mimic oestrogen in your body) like flaxseeds, sesame seeds, black cohosh, soy, and red clover in your diet can regulate hormone levels and reduce the pelvic discomfort you experience during perimenopause.
• Ayurvedic herbs like asparagus (Shatavari), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), aloe vera (Kumari), fenugreek (Methika) and liquorice root (Yashtimadhu) can also help relieve perimenopausal symptoms and keep your reproductive system healthy.

7. Medical Interventions

• Is your pain and cramping severe and disrupting your daily activities? If your pain lasts for more than a few days and is not relieved with painkillers or herbal remedies, your doctor might ask you to get tests done to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort.

8. Alternative Methods of Treatment

• Alternative therapies like acupuncture or chiropractic treatments may also be beneficial in reducing ovary pain during perimenopause.

When to See a Doctor

When should you see a doctor about ovary pain during perimenopause? Look out for these symptoms – catch the issue early and get medical care so that it doesn’t progress to a bigger problem.

The ovary pain needs medical attention if;

• The pain is severe and continuous, or the pain is worsening day by day.
• Pain is accompanied by symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding, fever and chills or unintentional weight loss.
• An unusual, sudden, or sharp kind of pain, different from the cramps you usually experience during your menstrual cycle.
• Pain is so severe that it interferes with your daily activities and affects the quality of your life.

Preventing Ovary Pain During Perimenopause

We have seen how troublesome ovary pain can be – but what if it is preventable?

Here are some expert-recommended tips to prevent ovary pain during perimenopause:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a healthy and balanced diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, exercising regularly. This can help improve your overall well being and balance your hormone levels.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Hot flashes and night sweats that you might experience during perimenopause cause excessive sweating and water loss. It is important to stay hydrated so that your body functions well.
• Caffeine and alcohol can increase inflammation and pain when consumed in excess. Limiting the use of these can prevent worsening of pain.
• Practising stress-relieving techniques like yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation can reduce pain perception, keeping you more comfortable and improving your overall health.
• Don’t skip your routine medical checkups. Ovary pain may be caused by other serious underlying issues like an infection or growths like fibroids. Detecting these risks early on can help prevent it from progressing.

Read more: Perimenopause Relief: 11 Tips to Feel Better.

Wrapping Up

Perimenopause is the years that lead to menopause, where you start experiencing symptoms caused by fluctuating hormone levels. The sudden changes in your menstrual cycles, along with symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings or ovary pain, can leave you overwhelmed.

Don’t let these symptoms take control!

Want more support and guidance? For a personalised treatment plan including natural remedies, lifestyle adjustments and treatments for perimenopausal symptoms, book an appointment with our expert Ayurvedic and Yoga practitioners at Nirva Health.