Ovulation Pain and Pregnancy Success: Is There a Connection?

Pregnancy is an important event in a woman’s life. Most couples trying to conceive are eagerly looking for ways to get pregnant as soon as possible. For this, they don’t want to miss out on any possible indicator that tells them when is the best time to have intercourse and increase their chances of conception.

One such indicator that is thought to increase the chances of pregnancy is ovulation pain, which happens during ovulation. But how true is this correlation? Is there really a connection between ovulation pain and pregnancy success? Let’s find out!

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the phenomenon wherein a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries in a woman’s body. It typically occurs on the 14th day of the 28-day menstrual cycle. Ovulation lasts for 12-24 hours as the egg survives for only this short duration.

The exact time of ovulation can vary from one individual to another, as every female has a different menstrual cycle.

How is Ovulation Related to Pregnancy?

Every female is born with 1-2 million eggs, but only 300-400 eggs are released throughout their lifetime. Every month, one of these eggs matures and is released by the ovary during ovulation. This release is triggered by an increase in the level of luteinizing hormone in the body.

The egg, once released, travels the fallopian tube in hopes of getting fertilised by a sperm. If it happens, the fertilised egg implants itself on the uterine lining of the uterus, and foetal development begins. However, if no fertilisation occurs, the unfertilised egg, along with the uterine lining, is shed out of the body in the form of periods.

What About Ovulation Pain?

Some women experience pain around ovulation, and this pain is termed ovulation pain. It occurs around 14 days prior to menstruation (if the menstrual cycle is 28 days) and is usually harmless. The pain can last for a few minutes to a couple of hours. Some women can feel the pain for close to 24 hours or a little longer.

Symptoms of ovulation pain are:

• Dull, achy pain on one side of the lower abdomen
• Or, a sharp and sudden pain
• May or may not involve light vaginal bleeding or spotting

Ovulation pain can switch sides; for example, one month you might feel the pain on the right side of your lower abdomen, and in the next month, the pain may appear on the left side. This happens because you have two ovaries, each located on the right and left sides of your abdomen, and the egg can be released by any one of them.

If you experience severe ovulation pain, you must see a doctor, as it can be indicative of an underlying health issue such as:

• Endometriosis
• Ovarian cysts
• Scar tissue near ovaries
• Appendicitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease

Is There a Connection Between Ovulation Pain and Pregnancy Success?

The connection between ovulation and pregnancy is an established one. For pregnancy to occur, ovulation must take place. In the absence of ovulation (the egg does not release from the ovary), pregnancy cannot occur as the release of a mature and healthy egg is of prime importance in facilitating pregnancy.

And what about ovulation pain? Some of you may believe ovulation pain is related to pregnancy success. However, that is not the case. The pain itself does not increase the chances of pregnancy. It may serve as an indicator of ovulation but does not impact pregnancy success in any way.

The reason why it is not ideal to relate ovulation pain with pregnancy success is because this kind of pain may not appear every month. So, if you’re trying to get pregnant and waiting for the pain to arise to have intercourse, you might miss the ovulation window when you’re most fertile.

Furthermore, it is yet to be established when the mature egg is actually released in relation to ovulation pain. Is it released before the pain arises, after the pain subsides, or at the same time when you’re feeling the pain? This uncertainty can make it difficult to decide the best time to have sex and affect pregnancy success.

Other Ways to Track Fertility

While ovulation pain may not be the best indicator to ensure pregnancy success, you can use other ways to determine your most fertile period and increase your chances of pregnancy. A few ways are mentioned below.

Basal Body Temperature

This method involves taking your body temperature every morning before getting out of bed. You can use a regular digital thermometer for this purpose. During ovulation, your body temperature is slightly higher (about ½ degree) than your normal temperature. When the temperature remains on the higher side for three or more days, ovulation has likely occurred.

Changes in Cervical Mucus

Another indicator of the fertile window is cervical mucus. Before ovulation, your cervical mucus looks cloudy and feels sticky. However, during ovulation, the amount of mucus increases, and it looks clear and is slippery and stretchy like raw egg whites. If you notice your cervical mucus to be of this consistency, you are probably close to ovulation or have ovulated recently. This may be the right time to try to conceive.

Final Word

Pain during ovulation is a natural occurrence for many. For some, the pain lasts for a few minutes, whereas for others it may continue for a day or two. Many people think ovulation pain is associated with pregnancy success. However, there is no such correlation between the two.

While ovulation is indeed important for pregnancy to occur, the presence or absence of pain plays no role here. Women can still conceive even if they do not experience ovulation pain or may not conceive even after getting ovulation pain every month.

FAQs

Is ovulation pain a sign of fertility?

Yes, ovulation pain can be considered as a sign of fertility. However, not having ovulation pain does not mean you have fertility issues or are not fertile.

How long after ovulation pain can you get pregnant?

The chances of pregnancy are higher if one has sex within 12 to 24 hours of ovulation. However, as it is still not determined when exactly the egg is released around ovulation pain, you cannot say for sure that pregnancy will happen. If it does, you might notice signs of pregnancy, following which you can take a pregnancy test. 

How successful is pregnancy during ovulation?

Having sex 2-3 days leading to ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself increases the chances of pregnancy up to 30%.

 

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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider if you have concerns regarding your menstrual health and for the diagnosis and treatment of any health condition.