Dear Janice,
Ovulation is the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries. For a 28-day cycle, ovulation is often around day 14, but it can be earlier or later for cycles of different lengths. Signs of ovulation can include changes in vaginal discharge, mild abdominal pain, breast tenderness, and bloating.
The abdominal pain is because the physical ovulation of the immature egg cell (oocyte) occurs after breakdown of its sac (follicle) under the influence of hormones which control “protein-cutting” enzymes (proteolytic enzymes), which may assist in squeezing out of the oocyte by stimulating smooth muscle activity.
These smooth muscle activities are contractions which propel the egg out, causing pain in the process and are caused by a group of fats made at sites of tissue damage or infection called prostaglandins, which are the same fats controlling the start of labour in pregnant women at term.
Studies have shown that taking pain killers like ibrufen and aspirin that are known to block the production of prostaglandin may result in failure of ovulation.
Thus, women wishing to become pregnant should be advised to avoid taking prostaglandin production blockers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, which may inhibit egg release.
One therefore needs not worry about the pain(cramps) during ovulation.
Questions answered by Dr Molino, Clinical head, Equity Afia
Kimbua(Kenya)
