Mittelschmerz Health Dictionary

Mittelschmerz: From 3 Different Sources


Lower abdominal pain that some women have at the time of ovulation. The pain is usually one-sided and lasts only a few hours. It may be accompanied by slight vaginal blood loss. In cases of severe mittelschmerz, oral contraceptives may be prescribed to suppress ovulation.
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Abdominal pains that occur midway between menstrual periods and which are caused either by ovulation or the normal short pre-ovulatory surge of estrogen.
Health Source: Herbal Medical
Author: Health Dictionary
n. pain in the lower abdomen experienced about midway between successive menstrual periods, i.e. when the egg cell is being released from the ovary. See also menstrual cycle.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Ovulation

The development and release of an ovum (egg) from a follicle within an ovary. During the 1st half of the menstrual cycle, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes several ova to mature in the ovary. At mid-cycle, luteinizing hormone (LH) causes 1 ripe ovum to be released. Signs of ovulation include a rise in body temperature, changes in the cervical mucus, and sometimes mild abdominal pain (see mittelschmerz). A yellow mass of tissue called the corpus luteum, which forms from the follicle after ovulation, releases progesterone during the 2nd half of the cycle.

After its release, the ovum travels along the fallopian tube and, if fertilization does not occur, is shed during menstruation. Regular menstruation usually means that ovulation is occurring, except around puberty and approaching the menopause. ... ovulation




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