Facts about Ovary Pain

 

Ovary pain is a symptom that could indicate a number of different conditions.  When pain such as this is experienced by a woman, especially on a repetitive basis, a doctor should be consulted to determine the exact cause. 

Pain felt in the ovaries can occur at any stage of life.   The pain may be accompanied by:

Bleeding

Fever

Abdominal pain

and numerous other symptoms. 

All of the symptoms experienced should be documented and relayed to the doctor at the office visit, as the information will help to pinpoint the cause of the discomfort.

Ovary Pain in Teenagers
           
One of the causes for pain in teenage girls is a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID.  The disease is an infection that results from a sexually transmitted disease such as Chlamydia or gonorrhea.  Affecting the fallopian tubes, the uterus, cervix or the ovaries, the disease could cause serious scarring that would result in additional problems if not treated.  Besides pain, additional symptoms that might be experienced with PID are:

Abnormal discharge

Fever

Back ache

Nausea

 

 

It is crucial that you visit a doctor immediately to begin treatment to avoid problems down the road such as:

Infertility

Ectopic pregnancy

Increased, continuous pain due to scarring

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that is most often associated with women rather than teenage girls; however, it is not an uncommon ailment for young girls.  It is condition where the ovaries, fallopian tubes, external tissues of the bladder and rectum are affected by an abnormal lining of tissue that is not unlike the lining of the uterus. 

The amount of pain is dependant upon which organ is affected and the manner that it is affected.  There are some girls who have a great deal of endometriosis, yet experience little or no pain and others who have only scant amounts of endometriosis while enduring intense pain.  The pain may be constant; it may occur during intercourse; it may be painful to urinate.  Even exercise can bring on excruciating pain.   Several different treatments may be applied: 

Pain medication

Birth control pills

Surgery

Homeopathic remedies

Ovarian Cysts

In most cases involving ovarian cysts, there is no pain.  Because the ovary surface has no nerve endings, a cyst can exist with the individual having no knowledge of its presence. 

Cysts are often discovered when an unrelated issue creates the need for an ultrasound.  Most commonly, cysts form and resolve on their own; there are some types that do not go away with surgical treatment.  There are instances, however, when cysts do cause pain. 

The cyst may rupture, leaking fluid into the pelvic cavity.  This can cause pain and soreness.

Torsion is a condition where the cyst becomes large and heavy, weighing down on the ovary and causing it to twist upon its own stem.  With the blood supply now discontinued to the ovary, intense pain will be felt, accompanied by nausea.   Surgery is the only recourse to fix torsion.

Hemorrhage of certain types of cysts can occasionally occur, causing minor pain.  These often go away after a month or two.

Ovary Pain during Pregnancy

During the early stages of pregnancies, pelvic pain can signify problems such spontaneous abortion, an ectopic pregnancy (either ruptured or unruptured) or the rupture of a cyst located where an egg has been released. 

More commonly are incidences involving ovarian cysts.  The fluid filled sacs can not only cause pain if they twist on their stems, but also have the propensity to cause a miscarriage or a premature delivery.  These cysts should be surgically removed if they do not decrease in size within a few weeks.

During the beginning of the 2nd trimester, it is common to feel an occasional stabbing pain that occurs on either side of the groin.  The pain can be worrisome, but is generally just the muscles surrounding the uterus and has nothing to do with the ovaries.

Any pain felt in the abdomen during any stage of pregnancy should be reported to your obstetrician immediately.