For most people when you think about ovulation, the first thing that pops into your mind is either you are trying to get pregnant or not. The menstrual cycle is as different for every woman as the two sides of a coin, so is ovulation.
Whether you are trying to conceive or not, knowing exactly what is going on, learning, understanding and being able to recognize the symptoms of ovulation is very important: to better understand your menstrual cycle as well notice any abnormalities if they occur. Also, if you are trying to get pregnant, you will be in a better position to time your most fertile period during your menstrual cycle.
Okay, so before going any further it’s important to understand what ovulation is, basically, it’s the period in your menstrual cycle where a mature egg is released from the ovary through the fallopian tube into the uterus in preparation for fertilization. The process takes place between day 14 for a 28-days menstrual cycle.
In most women, ovulation is associated with symptoms such as:
- Changes in cervical mucus- due to increased production of estrogen, the cervical mucus becomes stretchy, clear and egg white.
- Breast become sore and/or tender due to the hormonal changes taking place in a woman’s body
- A heightened sense of smell- during ovulation the sense of smell intensifies.
- For some women, they get mild lower abdominal pain mostly on one side of the abdomen. This is usually referred to as Mittelschmerz (painful ovulation) and can last for minutes or even hours.
- If ovulation is severely painful, some women experience nausea.
- Cervical changes- during ovulation the cervical tends to become softer, more open and higher.
- Increased libido is also very common during ovulation but it’s not a distinct sign, since an increase in your sex drive may just be a result of indulging in a glass of wine.
- Light spotting or discharge is also a normal symptom associated with ovulation, however, it is not very common.
Nausea caused by painful ovulation
Unfortunately for some women, they experience monthly mid-cycle pain. Although causes of painful ovulation are unclear, it is believed that during ovulation, as the egg is released from the ovary, together with the follicular fluid and blood- irritate the inner lining of the abdominal cavity thus causing pain. The pain usually subsides immediately the egg is released or after the body absorbs the fluid and/or blood.
Is ovulation nausea normal?
Feeling nauseated during ovulation is very normal, mostly it’s as a result of hormonal changes during this time or Mittelschmerz.
Okay, feeling nausea may also be a sign of pregnancy, especially if you have missed a period: In some cases, people mistake implantation bleeding or spotting for their period, and get nausea- which is a common symptom of early pregnancy.
But on the other hand, nausea can be caused by stomach flu, acid reflux, food poisoning, peptic ulcer and intake of some medication.
Natural remedies for nausea relief
- Ginger
Ginger is among one of the most reliable and oldest relief methods for nausea. It works by decreasing the feeling of nausea, neutralizes stomach acid and improves saliva secretions in the mouth to aid the digestion process.
You can either choose to use:
- Ginger extract in capsule form.
- Fresh ginger added to tea- use finely chopped ginger, do not boil it just add it in the tea the same way you would do with a tea bag.
- Candied ginger.
- Vitamin B6(pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 is very helpful when it comes to nausea relief. But ensure the dosage is under 100mg/day.
- Anti-nausea drugs
The most common types of anti-nausea drugs include promethazine, ondansetron, and metoclopramide. However, it is very important to talk to your doctor before taking any of these medications: to rule out the possibility of pregnancy since these medications are not recommended during pregnancy.
Is ovulation nausea a sign of pregnancy?
Unless you have had unprotected sex during your most fertile period, then nausea during your menstrual cycle is not as a result of pregnancy.
However, if you do experience nausea after a few weeks of unprotected sex then it can be a result of pregnancy. Hence, it’s very important to carry out a pregnancy test or visit a doctor to rule out this possibility and/or take the proper precautions and start on prenatal care.
In cases where you experience light vaginal discharge or spotting that is either pink or dark colored-usually a few days prior to your next menstrual period, might be an early sign of pregnancy.
But, many women fail to recognize the difference between implantation bleeding and menstrual periods, hence, nausea may be the first sign of pregnancy.
It’s advisable to do a pregnancy test, as well as watch out for other symptoms of pregnancy such as mood changes, food aversions, fatigue, sore and tender breasts, increased urination and missed or late periods.
How long does it last?
Ovulation nausea usually last between 5-7days and starts to descend 12-16 hours after the start of periods. nausea during your menstrual cycle commonly occurs after ovulation and before the start of your periods.
When to see your doctor
- In case you are worried about pregnancy even after carrying out a home pregnancy test or ovulation nausea is interfering with your daily activities.
- If you experience severe pain, your doctor should be able to determine whether you are suffering from premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD) and advice you on the best treatment options.
- If you suffer from painful ovulation(Mittelschmerz) accompanied by fever, pain with urination, vomiting, redness or a burning sensation where you feel pain and mid-cycle pain that lasts longer than a day.
Sources
https://wellness.ucsd.edu/studenthealth/resources/health-topics/Pages/painful-periods.aspx
https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder#1