Ovulation and bloating!

[Starley]

I had severe stomach pain last night and this morning due to ovulation, I know it's ovulation because I've had it bad for the past 5 years but it's got increasingly worse. My period pains are horrific and severe but ovulation is just as bad (sometimes worse), myself and doctors at A&E have mistaken it for appendicitis in the past. It's super excruciating it and I find it hard to believe that ovulation can cause this much pain but it does! I'm curious, does anyone else suffer badly with ovulation? Also, my stomach swells to twice it's size, I could take a photo of my side right now and people would be convinced I'm 9 months pregnant. In fact, I've even thought it myself but I take pregnancy tests regularly (all negative), also my doctors check often and still all negative. I can't describe the pain, it's like pressure all in my right abdomen and a horrible aching sensation that radiates into my right leg. All my pain (periods and ovulation) is focussed on my right side, no painkillers can soothe it, I just have to see it through but it's awful. I really don't understand how ovulation is so painful, I only ever get 7-10 days of feeling well a month, the rest is like living as zombie, in pain and dosed up to the max on painkillers that don't help!

[Corrinajade]

I am not sure whether it will be any help to your issues, but I suffer terribly with the bloating too - I have been taking probiotic tablets for the past month or so, and they really are helping massively with the bloat, and the pain associated with the bloating. I take ‘Solgar - Vegan digestive enzymes’. I’m not vegan, but the vegan ones are chewable, and taste like mint, so I find them easier to take than swallowing pills.

[Marisol123]

I’m on the same boat I had ovulation pain since I was a child went to ER thinking it’s appendicitis. Seen docters and all say it’s normal .The pain would last 3 days at the 4th I still had it but not that bad .It would get so bad that it would hurt to walk or sit even to go to the bathroom and take a bowl it also shoots to my legs and lower back so I had to be lying down but that wasn’t comfortable either .some lady ask me if I was bear footed all the time I said yes all the time around my house since I was a child too .She mentioned it’s all the coldness that gets trap in our reproductive system that we get from the floor .So I try not to be bearfooted around my house no more and it has help specially during winter I try to wear really warm socks when I know I’m going to start ovulation.I also grab water bottles and fill them with hot water and place them near my ovaries and back at time of ovulation I feel that helps more than pain killers .hope that helps

[RedbudTree]

I was getting extreme pain on one side of my abdomen plus the corresponding SI joint, and sometimes constipation, during ovulation. I read up and learned that the hormones released during ovulation (relaxin is one) can reduce gastric motility. This may be partially causing the bloating, although there is probably other stuff going on. For me, sometimes a smoothie made with unsweetened yogurt and a lot of fruit with fiber can help get stuff moving and relieve bloating (someone else suggested probiotic tablets and that also sounds worth a try).

Ovulation pain can also be pain from the nerves that are irritated by the release of mast cells and histamines during ovulation- nerve pain isn’t treated well by things like ibuprofen or aspirin. I’ve found that some of the treatments designed for arthritis, such as topical capsaicin and menthol/camphor patches, are more effective. For some women, things like gabapentin, cyclobenzaprine, or tri-cyclic antidepressants can address nerve pain (unfortunately, I had too many side effects from them due to a completely separate condition, but I have it on good authority that I’m unusual). Personally, I started taking a quercetin supplement and am shocked how much of a difference it makes - takes my daily pain from a 5/10 to a 2/10 and my ovulation pain from a 9/10 to a 3/10. I believe the theory is that quercetin is an antioxidant that helps stabilize the mast cells and reduce inflammation so that the nerves don’t get so irritated.

I also use a cramp bark supplement to help manage my pelvic pain. It doesn’t remove the pain completely but it does allow me to function most days.

Your situation sounds really challenging. I hope that you find something that works soon. Try not to give up!

[Rabs550]

Hi and good morning how are you feeling today x is it only the time of ur periods you get this pain and before and after

[Rabs550]

You have fibromalgiya and pms syndrome because what you just mentioned I have the same problem like I'm going to die before my period and fibromalgiya ur pain gets worse before ur periods at least 10 days for me I feel like I'm going to die any minute sleepless nignts hot flushes the extreme pain mine is in my left leg all the way to my hips and I also look 6 7 months pregnant puffy face breast change in size at least 2 sizes bigger omg I cry day and night as u said no pain killers work wat are you taking at the moment have you had any blood test

[Rabs550]

Mine have recently lasted since march unbearable pain but even worst just before my period you must also get cramps gas etc go to ur gp and first of all gets blood test done you might be lacking on vitamins d or b12 and try evening primrose but make sure you confirm it with ur doctor or tell him to give you perpermint tablets for the Blotting eat healthy reduce salt and chocolates makes the flare up worst and also try the tens machines and tell your doctor to refer you to a pain clinic if he hasn't done it yet these doctors and hospitals dnt listen until you repeat urself take care xx hope my advice will help ❤️

[poppymoon]

Hi Starley

What you describe is exactly the symptoms I suffer from too, always pain during ovulation / leading up to period /(excruciating) during period, and always, like you, focussed on my right side and radiates down into my leg. And of course the 'endo belly'!

I'm not sure what causes the pain on one side - so far I've only had ultrasound scans which revealed nothing out of the ordinary except for suspected PCOS and fluid in my pelvis. I am waiting for a laparascopy now. Have you had a scan / laparascopy to investigate your pain on one side?

As for the worsening symptoms during ovulation, I think this could be down to the rise in oestrogen - as endometriosis is associated with oestrogen dominance.

I've recently started taking agnus castus everyday (helps with oestrogen dominance by acting as progesterone) flaxseed oil, curcumin (anti inflammatory). Macca root powder I've heard is also great for balancing hormones.

Kefir helps me a lot with bloating as well as avoiding wheat/gluten. I've read that prebiotic foods can also cause the bloating - things like apples, onion and garlic - which seems so wrong because they are such healthy foods! Reluctant to cut these things out I have found that you can aid digestion by drinking a mix of lemon juice, ginger, grapefruit juice and water 30 minutes before a meal.

Do you suffer from bowel problems before your period? Generally during my ovulation/prior to period I have constipation as well as the pain (still on right side) that prevents me from sleeping. Not sure how to tackle this as nothing seems to be helping!

I know this is easier said than done given that endo causes us chronic fatigue... but for a few months I experienced no pain when I had to cycle up a steep hill to work most mornings. I think the act of cycling frees up your pelvis and the sweat removes toxins from your body. I also paradoxically had more energy after doing this exercise first thing in the morning! Try it if you can - and don't feel bad if the awful fatigue prevents you. I completely understand that zombie feeling.

Also for fatigue: try eating less carbohydrates and less sugar. Add more protein to your diet and increase your intake of iron. Moringa is great in smoothies!

Hope I haven't just stated obvious things you might have already known and I hope this helps you. You aren't alone. And you are so brave to deal with this debilitating condition every day. Good luck xxx