Excruciating pain during exercise during ovulation.

amandakateanimation wrote: »

Hi Guys

Just stumbled across this post, amazing that some people are experiencing the exact same symptoms. I have the exact same issue and have been suffering from it for about 15 years now (around the time of ovulation).

Recently I’ve decided to finally try and do something about it and have been to see two different gynaecologist’s - neither of which could explain why or give me a straight answer. It doesn’t seem to be very common and sounds as though very little research has been done to date.

They did find multiple cysts on my ovaries during a vaginal ultrasound (approx 40 on each side, far more than normal) although both gynaecologists didn’t think this could be linked to the excruciating pain. They also don’t think I have endometriosis but cannot be sure based on a scan. I get very painful periods but nothing compares to those pains!!

For now I am managing the pain with low intensity or no exercise during ovulation.

Has anyone had any luck in finding out the cause?? Would love to know!

Just an update for you! I got recommended a gyno on the Gold Coast who specialises in endo. He booked me in for a laparoscopy and found endo!!!
And took it out. I’ve had many pelvic ultra sounds, and also have more cysts then usual. Endo can not be seen on a ultra sound and so many doctors will turn you away from this disease but it’s real. Get checked.
I am so glad I know what’s going on with my body now. He is a private specialist and it’s costed me $3grand without private health. All I can say is it’s so worth it if you haven’t had kids yet.
He also put the Marina in as well which is meant to help.

Sounds like you need to see a gyno who specialises In Endometriosis.
I found more info on a Facebook page called “Australia women with endometriosis support group” they will help with what specialist in your area and you can relate to these women.

After 16years I’ve finally got answer!!! Hope you do as well ❤️

Oh crap. I get bad ovulation pain too. It feels like a cyst is going to pop. I have had to lie down on the SIDEWALK in NYC because I couldn't walk any farther. I just laid there until someone finally asked if I was okay and walked me to a doctors office a couple blocks away.

But I have never had exercise bring it on. Have you tried dosing Aleve or something throughout the day starting on day 14 of your cycle?

I get pains in my lower stomach, any type of jumping makes it painful, but not as bad as the OP's. I try to eat light on those days so it puts less pressure on my stomach. I hope this helps. Good luck, I hope you find relief

Check for dysmenorrhea. An OB and verify.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Hi @sarahcartwright6044, I hope that you've been able to find some answers and manage the pain since you posted, but in case not, or if there are others in a similar position - here is my experience.

I've had very similar symptoms for a number of years... excruciating pain, waves of cramps brought on by intense cardio (mostly running). They start about 20 minutes into my run and I'm literally doubled over in pain on the pavement.

I saw a specialist gynaecologist who suspected endometriosis. I had an ultrasound done and they noticed a chocolate cyst. I went on the pill and it helped the pain somewhat, but I had to go off the pill as I wanted to try for kids. The pain returned when I went off the pill- I underwent a laparoscopy as I felt my situation was preventing me from running and being active.

They diagnosed endometriosis, removed the cyst and found one of my ovaries was stuck to my pelvic wall (!) Since the operation (9 months ago) I've been pain free. That said, I noticed minor pain this week when out on a run. That led me to Google ... and I found this post. Indeed, there isn't a cure for endo and it can return even after its removed. For now I'm keeping an eye on it and I may need to return to the specialist if the pain persists.

How long does the pain last? I get pretty intense pain when ovulation that can last for a few hours. I often need to lie down, take Aleve and use a heating pad, it's that bad. It's called mittleschmirtz, I think. I don't think exercise brings it on any more so than doing nothing does, though. I'd maybe look into seeing a specialist, because I don't think it should last for more than a day. Also, I've read that it's actually not all that normal to have excruciating ovulation pain, but I haven't been found to have cysts, either.

Thank you so much for creating this thread! I've really struggled to find any thing on the internet were women have detailed the exact same symptoms. As with most of you, if I go for a run during ovulation (I also started tracking this) I get to about a few km when I'm suddenly hit by this horrible sick and crampy feeling. I get the feeling of pressure on my bowels where it really feels like I need to go to the loo. Previously, I've tried to run through the pain but it got to the point where I could actually feel a pulsating in my reproductive area. It's so horrible and I genuinely had started to feel like it was in my head. I've now learnt the initial warning signs that it's about to come on and I just stop running and walk until the pain subsides and then I'm fine.

I have no other symptoms relating to any kind of disorder or issue and it just boggles my mind a bit. I am going to speak to my doctor but I just wanted to post on this thread to say, I also experience this (33 yr old, healthy and active if that helps) and that you're not alone. I'll try to remember to post again once I've seen the doctor

Incidentally, in the few days after I start bleeding I am usually at my strongest (testosterone!) and have really relished the ability to be in tune with my cycle and to know what is normal for me at each point of the month, so I ensure that's when I plan in longer/ faster runs. When I'm ovulating I am most tired so dial it back a bit and try to be kind to myself with more gentle exercise.

Much love to you all

Update! I had a scan done 4 years ago due to the pain for this. Apparently they found nothing (as far as fibroids) because they never called - I switched providers shortly after. I just switched back to this provider and had an annual and they told me the scan showed I have a heart shaped uterus, which is a type of abnormality in how the uterus developed (they normally only catch this during a pregnancy). There is no evidence that it is related (they also didn’t know what the pain is, they just said this is normal ovulation pain which I don’t believe is totally true). The heart shaped uterus prognosis has its own set of issues but they say it can cause more painful periods. Just wanted to provide an update!

Hi ladies,
It’s been a while and I’ve noticed a few more have also been going through the same thing. Just an update from me. I had a laparoscopy in September 2020 and the gynogologist (endometriosis specialised) found stage 1 endo in my “pouch of douglas” which is just under the uterus and you can’t see it on scans unless you have surgury. He also noticed that my uterus had tissue in there that would have caused miscarriage when pregnant that he removed. I 100% recommend getting a laparoscopy and talking to a doctor/ gynocologist that specialises in endometriosis. Don’t take no for an answer!! The amount of times I go told to go on the pill or it’s just ovulation pain take Panadol is insane!! Advocate for yourself.
I then go pregnant 2 years later and they found I had a biocornate urerous (heart shaped) which I’m not sure if that had a thing to do with the excercise pain but I’ve been lucky and the baby has since stretched it out but could of also been due to my gyno fixing my uterus when he
did. I’m 39 weeks pregnant with a baby boy on the way!!
Big love to everyone going through this!!

So relieved to have found this post. I have the exact same symptoms whenever I go running a week around ovulation. It will start as niggling sensation in my upper legs and travel to my pelvic area which will end up with me doubling on the floor in pain and wanting to be sick. This is honestly the worse pain I have ever experience. The first time my husband saw it he wanted to take me to the hospital. I have just come back from a visit to the gynecologist who said it was probably just ovulation pain but could also be endometriosis however the only way to find out was to have surgery. Which as it doesnt happen during my period is not worth it.

She then recommended the pill and try to push it even when I told her I had too many side effects. I have also had cystitis for most of my adult life which I dont know if it is linked where I also got told that basically the blood test werent returning anything so it was nothing.

I am so fed up of made to feel like this is me overeacting and feeling like its all in my head. Anyway next step is an MRI scan.