Ovulation is the process of producing egg/eggs preparing for fertilization by sperm. Average healthy woman would have ovulation process once in 28-35 days. After the release of egg by the fallopian tubes the uterus/womb prepares itself for the incoming zygote by thick lining of uterine wall.
Egg is capable of getting fertilized only for few days of its production. If it does not get paired with a sperm it would disintegrate along with the decay of uterine wall lining, which is expelled from the vagina in the form of vaginal bleeding or monthly periods.
Ovulation occurs for every woman who is in reproductive age. It does not occur after menopause or during the time of breastfeeding. Cramps or abdominal cramps can occur just following the ovulation process. This has greater significance. Abdominal cramp may last for few seconds to minutes and in rare cases for a day also. Range of pain can be mild, moderate or severe.
Cramps and Ovulation
Cramping after ovulation can occur anywhere from 2nd to 5th day of ovulation and each of them has significance which you can understand from this article. You will also get to know about the factors that causes cramp after ovulation, its symptoms and the reason behind the cramp.
Ovulation for a woman with normal monthly periods can occur anywhere from 12-16th day after her periods. In short it occurs exact halfway between the periods.
Cramping After Ovulation Causes
- Rupture Of Follicle – Eggs would mature in the follicle and get released from the ovaries. During this process follicles actually get broken to release the egg. This can cause mild shock leading to cramps after ovulation. Some women are likely to get mild bleeding for a day or two during the bursting process.
- Spasms – Egg would move through the fallopian tubes to reach the uterus where fertilization takes place. This movement can trigger mild spasms or contraction of muscles which can cause cramps in the abdomen.
- Medications – If you are taking any drugs for fertility you are likely to experience cramps after ovulation. Clomid is an oral pill given for triggering fertilization. This can cause mild to moderate cramp, swelling and pressure on abdomen.
- Folliculogenesis – Size of the egg is not the same since size of one egg may differ from the other. Accordingly, follicles would rupture and stretch to accommodate the eggs in it. This can induce cramp after ovulation. Growth of eggs and breaking up of follicles can induce pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
- Movement Of Blood and Mucus – When the follicles release some eggs it also produces some amounts of blood and mucus, which would eventually travel through the abdomen triggering the cramps. For some women this blood and mucus could get expelled through vagina causing mild brownish discharge.
- Constipation – In rare cases constipation can occur after a week of ovulation. This process can cause stretching of rectal muscles triggering abdominal cramp. Bowel movements can get delayed due to excess of hormones which can also cause pain in the lower abdomen.
- Medical Conditions – Certain disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, and formation of kidney stones, ovarian cysts and urinary tract infection can cause moderate to severe cramps after ovulation. Ectopic pregnancy is a very serious condition in which the fertilized egg accidentally gets implanted in the wall of the uterus itself without moving into it. This has to be treated and pregnancy terminated to prevent life threatening complication.
Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms after ovulation are given below :-
- Abdominal cramps ranging from mild to moderate
- Increased libido due to increased hormones
- Tenderness of breasts
- Feeling of bloating or fullness of stomach
- Increased sensitivity of vulva
All the above symptoms are indicative of the upcoming periods.