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Could enlarged ovaries be a sign of pregnancy? Why do the ovaries hurt during pregnancy? Is pain after ovulation dangerous or not?

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Pregnancy is the most unforgettable period in a woman’s life, but it is also very responsible and difficult. In the female body, with the onset of pregnancy, changes occur in almost all organs and systems, and their functional activity is also restructured. The purpose of restructuring organs and their functions is to ensure nutrition, growth and development of the fetus. Sometimes these changes are so dramatic that it cannot but cause surprise. Thus, the volume of circulating blood increases almost 1.5 times, due to the growing uterus, the heart and kidneys change their position, and the respiratory rate increases in the last stages. But the most significant and at the same time significant changes are the organs of the woman’s reproductive system. So, the weight of the uterus increases from 40 g to 1000-1500 g, and the volume from 4 ml to 4 l!

Women’s ovaries also undergo global changes, and that’s what we’ll talk about. The ovary performs two important functions during pregnancy: hormonal and reproductive. The purpose of the reproductive function is the maturation of the egg (ovulation) for its further fertilization. Since we are talking about pregnancy, it is logical that this function has fully realized itself, and during pregnancy there is no longer a need for it. But hormonal function is extremely important both at the stage of fertilization and conception, and throughout pregnancy. With the onset of pregnancy, a corpus luteum is formed in the ovary, which synthesizes progesterone, the high level of which is the key to maintaining pregnancy. The corpus luteum functions for the first twelve weeks, and by the sixteenth week its function is completely taken over by the placenta formed by that time.

Also, in addition to changes in functional activity, the size of the ovaries also changes during pregnancy - they increase slightly due to increased blood supply. Due to the growing uterus, the ovaries are now located in the abdominal cavity, and not in the pelvic cavity.

Ovarian diseases during pregnancy

Often a pregnant woman, especially at the beginning of pregnancy, may complain of pain in the location of the ovaries. What could they be connected with? Firstly, if the pain is localized on one side, then most often it can be caused by the corpus luteum functioning in them, which stretches the ovarian capsule and causes similar sensations. Secondly, pain in the lower abdomen can be associated with thickening and tension of the ligaments, as well as stretching of the muscles of the actively growing uterus. These two reasons for the appearance of discomfort in the ovarian area are an explanation of normal changes in them. However, pain can be caused by diseases of the ovaries and pathological changes in them, namely:
- acute salpingoophoritis (or adnexitis) is an inflammatory process caused by infection of other genital organs, and most often affects the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The pain is accompanied by increased body temperature and weakness.

- apoplexy- hemorrhage into the ovary and bleeding from it into the abdominal cavity.

- ovarian cysts- formations filled with fluid, while the ovarian capsule stretches, which causes pain.

- ovarian tumors– formations that more often cause pain, putting pressure on neighboring organs.

It is worth noting that if a woman had any ovarian diseases before pregnancy, then there is a high chance that they will worsen during pregnancy.

If the pain is minor, does not affect your ability to work, and there are no other symptoms, then deep, calm breathing and changing your body position can help. Or it may be that the pain is associated with constipation, so bowel movements should be regular.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons that cause pain or simply discomfort, and among them there are both normal conditions that do not require special treatment, as well as serious diseases that require immediate treatment by an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist. Therefore, if you have any doubts about your health, be sure to consult a doctor! And don’t forget that your baby’s health depends on your health!

If the ovary hurts during pregnancy, the expectant mother may become seriously alarmed and begin to get nervous, contrary to the doctor’s assurances. However, in most cases there is no need to worry, since the ovary hurts during pregnancy, most often due to changes in the female body, and does not harm either the baby or his mother.

During pregnancy Nagging pain Ovaries
Pregnant calf decoction
analysis on the doctor's monitor


Also, the ovaries and lower abdomen often hurt during pregnancy due to the excessive suspiciousness of the expectant mother. An unstable mental state is a fairly common feature for expectant mothers, which to one degree or another is inherent in most girls while waiting for their first baby.

Discomfort that is considered normal

The ovary can hurt during pregnancy for reasons that, although unpleasant, do not cause any particular harm to the body or, especially, to the fetus.

  1. If the period goes beyond the first trimester, the most likely reason that the left ovary hurts during pregnancy is a sprain, nothing more. In this case, discomfort manifests itself after long walks, hill climbs or cycling.
  2. The right ovary hurts during pregnancy for the same reasons, and the pain can even alternate. And, finally, the real cause of such sensations is not the ovaries in general, but the ligaments that support the uterus, which grows very actively during pregnancy. This process is accompanied by a change in the position of the ovaries. A similar symptom appears if you lie on your right side for a long time. As a result, during pregnancy the left ovary may become ill.
  3. Ovarian pain in the early stages may be completely imaginary, i.e. be the result of the psychological state of the expectant mother. Expecting a child causes a weakening of the nervous system, and this can cause hypochondria, or permanent depression. Such an alarming state should not be ignored; it is fraught not only with discomfort, but can negatively affect the development of the fetus. You should consult a specialist.

The general advice for such pain is to relax. If the pain goes away with changing body position or other relaxing activities, there is really nothing to worry about. However, if breathing exercises and exercises aimed at relaxing you have no effect, it’s time to ask a qualified specialist why your ovaries hurt while carrying a child.

Most often, pain occurs due to changes in the body of the expectant mother.

Problem caused by pathologies

The ovaries can hurt in the early stages of pregnancy, and often this is not dangerous. However, there are exceptions that may require immediate action.

One of the main reasons why the ovaries may hurt during pregnancy is the inflammatory process. This diagnosis occurs if unpleasant sensations appeared before the conception of the child.

The most alarming thing is the fact that the inflammatory process can cause adnexitis, which is already dangerous for the fetus. In the worst case it is possible:

  • abortion;
  • premature birth.

For such diseases, it is better to undergo treatment before planning children.

A cyst is another common reason why the ovary may hurt during pregnancy, and the cyst itself does not pose a serious danger. The possible consequences are much more dangerous, including ruptures, torsions and suppuration. Tissue growth is the cause of painful sensations that have a “pulling” character, and unlike harmless pains, do not go away with relaxation.

The “pulling” sensation is caused by the pressure of the cyst tissue on other organs located nearby. This disease should be the reason for constant visits to a specialist.

Only a doctor can determine the exact cause of pain during pregnancy in the second trimester, so if relaxing techniques do not help, there is no need to panic. It is quite possible that in your case you are simply performing the necessary relaxation procedures incorrectly.

The reasons may be different

Methods of treating the disease

It is unlikely that you will be able to determine the nature of your illness on your own, so you should visit a doctor in any case. Despite the fact that the ovary during pregnancy can suffer from a number of symptoms that do not have serious health consequences, you should not risk the health of your baby.

Along with this, after detecting a number of other symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately. Among them.

  1. Sharp pain.
  2. Regularity, which gradually increases.
  3. Pain in the coccyx, sacrum or lower back.
  4. Temperature increase.
  5. Bloody discharge.
  6. The pain is accompanied by general fatigue and increased fatigue.

Another reason to consult a doctor may be attacks of nausea, abdominal tension, or yellow or green discharge. In this case, you should not only consult a doctor, but also warn him about the detected symptoms.

Only a qualified specialist can prescribe appropriate therapy with medications, because many antimicrobial agents are prohibited for use while pregnant.

Often this is normal

Of course, the best option is planning a pregnancy and a full examination of both partners at this stage:

  • exacerbation of the inflammatory process during pregnancy will require the woman to be hospitalized; in a hospital setting, she will be administered antimicrobial drugs intravenously, selecting the most effective and safe ones;
  • very often, inflammatory processes that have been suffered are fraught with relapses, so a pregnant woman should change her lifestyle so as to protect herself and her baby to the maximum;
  • Herbal medicine and gynecological massage are no less effective methods of therapy;
  • if the cause of inflammation is pathogenic microorganisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases, then the expectant mother is advised to terminate the pregnancy.

With ovarian syndrome, you can cope with pain on your own. For this it is necessary.

  1. Keep calm.
  2. Avoid physical activity.
  3. Take a pain reliever.
  4. Avoid stressful situations.
  5. Eat well.
Traditional methods of treatment

There are many folk recipes that can be used when the ovaries hurt during pregnancy. Let's look at some of them.

Juniper decoction:

  • 1 glass of water;
  • 15 juniper berries;
  • to boil water;
  • pour boiling water over the berries;
  • leave for 4 hours.

Application.

  1. Take 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times/day.
  2. Duration of treatment – ​​1 week.

Decoction of goose cinquefoil:

  • 2 glasses of water;
  • 2 tbsp. spoons of goose cinquefoil;
  • to boil water;
  • pour boiling water over the grass;
  • leave for about 1 hour.

Application.

  1. Take half a glass 3-4 times/day.
  2. Drink before meals.

Before using one of the above methods, you must consult your doctor. You may be prescribed complex therapy.

A decoction of juniper will help

Negative consequences

Since the ovary can hurt even during pregnancy, this phenomenon should be an alarming sign for you. Under no circumstances should this disease be ignored, as it can cause negative consequences. Among the most dangerous are:

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This is one of the most important organs in the female body. After all, it is in the ovaries that mature eggs are produced, each of which can become the beginning of a new life.

All women have their own individual “reserve” of eggs hidden in the follicles located in the ovaries. On average, their number at puberty ranges from 200 to 400 thousand (for comparison: a newborn girl has about 7 million eggs, but their supply is rapidly decreasing), and they have their own “expiration date”. With age, some of them will be used up, and the rest (if any remain) will completely die after the onset of menopause, and the ovaries will cease to perform a reproductive function.

Starting from puberty in a girl, every month, from one menstrual cycle to another, one of the follicles matures, releasing an egg ready for fertilization. From the remaining cells of this follicle, the corpus luteum is formed, designed to produce hormones necessary for the onset and maintenance of pregnancy. If conception takes place, the corpus luteum will function until 10-12 weeks. Then it will “transfer” its functions to the formed placenta and disappear.

The ovaries themselves also undergo great changes from the moment a woman becomes pregnant. And this is exactly what we will talk about today.

The ovaries are the paired organs of the female reproductive system. They are located in the pelvic cavity near the fallopian tubes on either side of the uterus. In appearance and shape, these organs are similar to nut tonsils, the size of which in the normal state ranges from 1.5-5 cm - this depends on age, and according to the results of some studies, on the reserve supply of eggs.

With the onset of pregnancy, blood circulation in these, as well as in other organs, increases significantly, which contributes to their slight increase in size. In addition, as the uterus grows, the ovaries will increasingly move from their usual place, and soon they will completely go beyond the boundaries of the pelvic ring. It is for this reason that very often, when the ovaries seem to hurt during pregnancy, the source of the pain turns out to be different, because they are no longer in the same place. In pregnant women, these organs move slightly upward and forward, closer to the abdominal wall.

How the ovaries work during pregnancy

It's not just the size and location that change. Since there is no need for ovulation (that is, the maturation of eggs) during pregnancy, the ovaries temporarily “turn off” this function and go into a state of rest.

Their most important task for this period is to produce the corpus luteum, which, as we have already said, functions only in the first weeks in the early stages.

However, despite this, even now female appendages can make themselves felt. And not always in the best way...

If conception occurs against the background of problems in the reproductive organs, then this is likely to manifest itself during the period of bearing the baby. Normally, the ovaries are sterile. But due to various factors, pathogenic bacteria can penetrate them, causing inflammatory processes.

Most often, this happens when infected with sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, candidiasis, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, etc.), as well as due to hypothermia in the legs and pelvic area, overwork and stress, and a decrease in the body’s immune defense. So if you are wondering whether the ovaries hurt during pregnancy, then yes, this is possible for various reasons. And most often, such a nuisance happens in the early stages.

Inflammation of the ovaries and their appendages during pregnancy

According to medical statistics, at least 80% of all girls under the age of 25 experience ovarian inflammation. And most of them either do not notice its signs or ignore them. And in vain. This is one of the most common causes of secondary infertility among women. If pregnancy nevertheless occurs, then unhealthy ovaries not only hurt, but can even cause miscarriage and miscarriage. This is why treatment should be mandatory!

An inflammatory process in these organs can be indicated by pain not only in the ovaries, but also in the lower abdomen, as during menstruation, radiating to the lower back and sacrum, which occurs during sexual intercourse and urination. Associated symptoms are increased body temperature, weakness, fatigue, poor sleep, nervousness.

Pain (usually occurring periodically, from time to time) accompanies both inflammation of the ovaries (adnexitis) and inflammation of their appendages (oophoritis). And both of these conditions require treatment.

Ovarian cyst during pregnancy

There are a large number of types of cysts that affect the female reproductive organs; the most harmless during pregnancy is the corpus luteum cyst. The vast majority of them are benign in nature and are prone to spontaneous resorption. However, the cyst increases the risk of ovarian torsion (in addition to torsion of the cyst stalk), and this is no longer safe and can result in its necrosis or rupture with hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity (which is called apoplexy in medicine). Dangerous symptoms requiring immediate hospitalization are nausea and vomiting accompanied by severe pain. Pregnancy itself is also a provoking factor for torsion, since, as we have already mentioned, during this period the ovaries slightly increase in size, which makes them more mobile.

Cyst-like formations on the ovaries are compressed by surrounding organs, causing pain. As a rule, they are palpable only on one side of the abdomen, but are constantly present, in contrast to episodic pain due to inflammation.

In some cases, the fertilized egg is unable to reach the uterine cavity and is forced to land halfway. It is very rare, but it still happens that the fertilized egg is implanted directly in the ovary. This organ, like all others, besides the uterus, is not suitable for the development of an embryo, and therefore such a pregnancy is doomed. Due to the growth of the fertilized egg, the ovary begins to stretch and hurts greatly. Most often, the pain is very intense, paroxysmal, radiates to the anus or thigh, and may be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and loss of consciousness.

If an ectopic pregnancy is not terminated in time, the ovary will rupture, which is fraught with intra-abdominal bleeding, infection and other dangerous consequences. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound, which will determine exactly where the egg has implanted.

What to do if your ovaries hurt, ache or pull during pregnancy

Despite the fact that the ovaries can indeed hurt during pregnancy, and that such pain cannot be ignored, most often a woman’s assumptions turn out to be false. From the first weeks, the uterus begins to increase in size, which entails a number of other changes. In particular, it gradually compresses and expands the organs surrounding it, freeing up the necessary space for itself. In addition, the ligaments located on both sides and holding the uterus are stretched more and more. And it is this pain that, as a rule, women confuse with pain in the ovaries. Therefore, first of all, there is no need to make any guesses. Discomfort due to stretching of the uterine muscles occurs, as a rule, from time to time, irregularly, and goes away after resting in a comfortable position and taking a deep breath.

Sometimes such pain occurs due to constipation.

However, the presence of complications is not at all excluded, and you should definitely tell your gynecologist about your complaints. In the meantime, try not to make any sudden movements and, just in case, refuse sex until the cause is determined. It is necessary to consult a doctor urgently if the pain in the ovary (especially on one side) is intense, obsessive, paroxysmal in nature and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • pain in the anus, sacrum, coccyx, lower back, thigh;
  • sharp pain on one side, while the stomach is tense;
  • increased body temperature;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • bloody discharge from the vagina.

In a critical situation, when the pain seems unbearable, it is necessary to call an ambulance and wait for its arrival, lying on your side. It is better not to take any painkillers, so as not to “erase” the clinical picture. And in general, in this case, you cannot take any action on your own!

Especially for - Margarita SOLOVIOVA

The pathology discussed in this article refers to one of the types of ectopic fertilization of the egg. Ovarian pregnancy is diagnosed quite rarely and accounts for only up to one percent of all cases of ectopic pregnancy.

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ICD-10 code

O00.2 Ovarian pregnancy

Causes of ovarian pregnancy

This clinical picture is observed if the egg does not have time to leave the ovary and is released from the follicle, but has already been fertilized by a sperm. Further planned maturation of the egg begins, while it no longer moves further, but continues to develop, attached to the ovary.

There are no changes in a woman’s body that lead directly to the pathology in question, but we can speak, in general, about sources that can provoke various types of ectopic pregnancy.

The causes of ovarian pregnancy vary. As studies and observations conducted in this area have shown, the deviation in question from the normal course of pregnancy can be provoked by:

  • A previous infectious disease that occurred in the uterine tissue, as well as in the case of inflammation of the endometrium.
  • Colds of the genital organs.
  • With the development of obstruction of the fallopian tubes.
  • This may be the consequences of surgery performed on the pelvic organs or genitals.
  • Ovarian pregnancy can be triggered by changes affecting the genetic and endocrine areas of the human body.
  • The presence of a cyst or polycystic formations.
  • Congenital or acquired underdevelopment of the ovary.
  • Consequences of medical therapy with the use of potent medications.
  • Therapy carried out to rid a woman of infertility.

As observations have shown, nine out of ten cases occurred without any obvious reasons, that is, ovarian pregnancy developed “accidentally.”

Symptoms of ovarian pregnancy

The course of pregnancy of the type in question is progressing, without any negative symptoms. The development of the embryo itself proceeds without obvious deviations, with virtually no deviations from a natural intrauterine pregnancy. Even in the later stages, the woman begins to feel the baby moving. Such periods are achieved due to the fact that the ovarian tissue is quite elastic and capable of stretching to a certain point. But such an idyll occurs for the time being.

At the moment when the size of the embryo has reached critical parameters (the walls of the ovary are not able to stretch further, having reached their limit), the woman begins to feel the symptoms of ovarian pregnancy, which begin to appear:

  • The appearance of obvious signs of early toxicosis.
  • Enlargement of the mammary glands and their increased pain.
  • Prolonged spotting and spotting from the vagina.
  • Severe pain in the lower abdomen, point pain localized at the site of pregnancy.
  • The pain begins to gradually radiate to the lumbar region and/or large intestine (anus). An attack can last from a few minutes to a number of hours. During the attack, weakness, dizziness, and nausea appear.
  • A sharp drop in blood pressure.
  • The appearance of painful bowel movements.
  • The pregnant woman's body goes into a faint or pre-fainting state.

Somewhat later, when the size of the fetus has increased further, the woman begins to experience internal bleeding and the pain becomes more intense. Its increase can provoke loss of consciousness from painful shock. This symptomatology may be accompanied by an increase in the woman’s body temperature. The complex of manifestations listed above indicates organ rupture.

Even at the first appearance of a uncomfortable condition, a pregnant woman should seek advice from her obstetrician - gynecologist who is leading the pregnancy. And if the situation gets out of control and the symptoms worsen, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.

Diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy

It is necessary to immediately clarify the fact that ectopic pregnancy, and specifically the type of its development discussed in this article, is very dangerous. It poses a threat not only to the health of the unborn baby and his mother, but also increases the risk of death for the woman.

In most cases, the child does not survive, but timely provision of medical care to the victim increases the woman’s chances of survival. After all, at the moment of rupture of the ovary, severe bleeding occurs. And if it is not stopped in time, the patient will simply bleed to death.

Therefore, even at the slightest suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, the woman in labor must be immediately hospitalized. A sharp, acute pain in the iliac region allows one to suspect an internal rupture. Mostly, such symptoms occur four weeks after the moment of a missed period - but this is not a dogma.

At the same time, a visual examination of a woman by an obstetrician-gynecologist on a chair using a special mirror shows the doctor the softness of the tissues of the uterus and its cervix (which indicates the presence of pregnancy). At the same time, their tint gives off a bluish tint.

During palpation, an experienced gynecologist determines a unilateral increase in size and increased soreness of the ovary. In this case, the organ is not clearly contoured.

The specialist begins to compare the time of the last menstruation and the size parameters of the uterus. Their discrepancy is the reason for prescribing a targeted additional examination.

Accuracy in making the correct diagnosis is only possible with the help of an ultrasound examination of the woman’s genital organs. The diagnostician, using a special medical device, carefully examines the pelvic organs, the uterine cavity, and the condition of the endometrium. Ultrasound allows you to identify the fertilized egg and the place of its attachment.

If, despite all the signs of pregnancy, the embryo is not found in the uterus, and the diagnostician observes the presence of blood clots and fluid in the peritoneal cavity or in the area behind the uterus, the doctor makes a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

A pregnant woman must also undergo a urine and blood test to determine the content of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), as well as to determine the level of progesterone. Human chorionic gonadotropin is a special hormonal protein produced by the membrane cells of the growing fetus throughout gestation. Its presence and sufficient quantity allows you to maintain the normal course of pregnancy. It is hCG that inhibits the process that provokes the appearance of menstruation, allowing you to save the baby.

There are certain standards by which comparisons are made. At the same time, a qualified specialist knows that the progesterone level in the case of an ectopic pregnancy is slightly lower than in the case of a normal pregnancy.

The test is repeated after 48 hours. At the same time, hCG indicators are compared. If its characteristics remain unchanged, then this fact only confirms ectopic fertilization of the egg.

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Ovarian pregnancy on ultrasound

After registering the expectant mother with a gynecologist at the antenatal clinic, the specialist must prescribe an ultrasound of the uterus for his patient. This study, carried out in the early stages of pregnancy, should protect against the further development of any pathological abnormality.

It should also be noted that a clinical picture may arise when the test showed two stripes, which corresponds to a positive response to fertilization of the egg, while an ultrasound examination says the opposite - there is no embryo in the uterus. This discrepancy is one of the indications of a developing ectopic pregnancy.

Therefore, the research is carried out more carefully. Ovarian pregnancy is determined by ultrasound if the fertilized egg is located in the projection of the ovary. In this case, the diagnostician usually observes that the embryo and the uterus are directly connected by the ovarian ligament.

But it’s worth reassuring women a little. The presence of pain symptoms is not a mandatory indicator of ovarian pregnancy. This symptomatology can also manifest itself as a result of a number of other diseases (for example, polycystic disease).

Treatment of ovarian pregnancy

If there is even a slight deterioration in the pregnant woman’s health, she should immediately consult her obstetrician-gynecologist for examination. If a woman’s condition rapidly deteriorates, urgent medical attention is needed.

If an ectopic pregnancy is not detected in a timely manner, then after some time (usually this period is about a month), the pregnant woman may experience acute abdominal pain and uterine bleeding.

In such a situation, the clock is already counting down to hours and minutes.

Today, depending on the severity of the clinical picture of the pathology, doctors have two methods for treating ovarian pregnancy: surgery and drug therapy.

In light of drug treatment, medications of a certain pharmacological nature are taken. One of these drugs is methotrexate, injections of which can provoke the death of the embryo and the resorption of tissues that have already formed. The use of this medicine allows you to keep the ovaries and folic tube of the failed mother in a healthy state. This treatment enables the woman to conceive a child again in the future and carry it safely to term.

Today, this drug is not yet so actively used in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy: CIS countries provide only 5 to 8%, while this figure in foreign clinics ranges from 25 to 33%.

A cytostatic drug compound from the group of folic acid antagonists is prescribed by a doctor if a number of mandatory conditions are met:

  • Stable hemodynamic condition of the pregnant woman.
  • She has no hemodynamically severe bleeding.
  • Ultrasound confirmed diagnosis - ectopic localization of the ovum.
  • Lack of uterine location of the fertilized egg.
  • No constant pain symptoms.
  • If there are no contraindications for taking methotrexate.

At the same time, a medicinal method of treating ovarian pregnancy is possible only if an ultrasound examination has shown the dimensional parameters of the fetal egg to be no more than 3.5 mm, as well as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) readings below the level of 5000 mIU/ml.

Methotrexate is prescribed to a pregnant woman after diagnosing ectopic embryo development in the form of an injection solution administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

The injection is performed once. After three to four weeks, a woman usually starts her first period.

Surgical treatment involves a method of getting rid of the problem by curettage of the embryo. At the same time, the organ in which the fetus developed can be removed. In this case, the ovary.

Mostly, if the question arises about a surgical solution to the problem, a gynecologist surgeon performs an operation to remove the embryo and wedge resection of the ovary. In this case, partial excision of the ovary occurs. After some time, it completely restores its functions, allowing the woman to normally conceive, bear and give birth to a baby.

But if the situation has gone too far and doctors observe a severe clinical picture, surgical intervention will have more serious consequences. The surgeon has to perform an oophorectomy - an operation to remove the ovary involved in an ectopic pregnancy.

Prevention of ovarian pregnancy

Not a single representative of the fair sex of childbearing age is insured against ectopic pregnancy. But some recommendations that determine the prevention of ovarian pregnancy can still be given:

  • It is worth practicing safe sex to prevent infection with sexually transmitted diseases. This will help protect the woman’s genitals from damage.
  • Early diagnosis and timely treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Rejection of bad habits.
  • If a woman is planning to have a child, but is at risk, it is worth visiting a gynecologist before conception, undergoing an examination and, after conception, being under constant medical supervision.
  • If you experience the slightest discomfort during pregnancy, you should immediately contact a specialist for consultation and examination. The faster the pathology in question is detected, the easier the consequences of its relief.

If an unpleasant diagnosis has been made, it is now worth fighting to preserve the reproductive organs. To do this, without delay, you should:

  • Conduct a urine test to determine the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), after two to three days this test should be repeated.
  • It is necessary to undergo an ultrasound examination to determine the type of pregnancy: uterine or ectopic. Based on the results, undergo treatment if necessary.
  • Self-diagnosis and self-medication in case of suspected pathological pregnancy are unacceptable. Losing time can cost a woman in labor not only her health, but also her life.

Ovarian pregnancy prognosis

If a woman is responsible for her health and the health of her unborn child, then at the slightest ailment she immediately turns to a qualified doctor. This step allows her to make the prognosis for ovarian pregnancy quite favorable. Subsequently, she remains fully capable of conceiving, bearing and giving birth to a healthy child. Statistics show that 50–85% of such women were able to become mothers in the future. 10 – 20% of cases show a repeat ectopic pregnancy.

If the situation is advanced and doctors observe a rather severe clinical picture of the pathology, aggravated by severe bleeding, then the risk of developing serious complications, or even death of the victim, increases sharply.

Not a single woman who wants to become a mother and give birth to a healthy baby is immune from the diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy. But the point is not that such a pathology can affect everyone, but to take timely and adequate measures to solve the problem. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor than to ignore the body’s signals and lose not only the baby, but also your health, and possibly your life. Therefore, dear women, be more attentive to your health and more responsible. After all, delaying seeking help from a qualified doctor can be too expensive. And you will have to pay with your health, and sometimes with your life!

Pain in the ovaries is a fairly common, although not entirely characteristic, symptom in the early stages of pregnancy. Why do such manifestations occur, how dangerous are they, and what to do when they occur? You will find answers to these questions in the article.

What happens to the ovaries during pregnancy

When a woman is not pregnant, the ovaries are needed to produce sex hormones and mature eggs.

What happens to them during gestation? The organ “falls asleep” so that new ovulation does not occur, and the eggs do not mature. Appears corpus luteum, producing 2 types of hormones - estrogens and progesterone. After existing for 12 weeks, the corpus luteum disappears and the placenta is formed. During pregnancy, blood circulation increases in the genitals. Due to this, the ovaries become larger and slightly change their location. Can they get sick and if so, why? The answer is in the next section.

Why do the ovaries hurt - possible causes

When pain appears in the lower abdomen on the left or right, you need to understand why it arose. The reasons may be varied.

Physiological

  1. Introduction of the embryo into the uterine mucosa. From the very beginning of pregnancy, on the 7th day of fertilization, unpleasant sensations appear in the lower abdomen, reminiscent of pain before menstruation, due to the descent of the fertilized egg into the uterus with subsequent implantation. This is absolutely normal.
  2. The appearance of stress on the ligaments of the uterus. Over time, as the size of the fetus increases, the uterus also grows, causing the tissues that support it to tighten. Pregnant women think that the ovaries hurt, although in fact the discomfort in the lower and sides of the abdomen is caused by sprained ligaments. Pain occurs during physical activity, sudden movements, or even in a relaxed state, when a girl spends a long time on her side.
  3. Number of pregnancies, age of the expectant mother. Most often, pain in the lower abdomen appears in patients under 25 years of age and carrying a child for the first time. During subsequent pregnancies, expectant mothers hardly complain of discomfort in this area.
  4. Changes in hormonal levels. Under the influence of the restructuring, discomfort may appear, similar to pain in the ovarian area.
  5. Corpus luteum cyst. The condition is not considered a pathology: it occurs in the early stages up to 11 weeks. The formation appears in the place where the female reproductive cell emerged from the follicle. During gestation, the cyst enlarges, producing progesterone. When it reaches a large size, the formation stretches the ovarian capsule, creating discomfort and pain. Do not be alarmed by this condition: it does not affect the course of pregnancy. The cyst disappears along with the corpus luteum at the onset of the 12th week.
  6. Artificial stimulation for IVF. After in vitro fertilization, the expectant mother complains of tingling sensations and nagging pain in the lower abdomen in the area of ​​the ovaries.
  7. Relaxin production. From 14 to 39 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother’s body produces the hormone. It helps facilitate the passage of the child through the birth canal and the divergence of the pelvic bones. Nagging pain may appear on the sides of the abdomen and in the lower back.

Pathological

During gestation, unpleasant sensations can be a manifestation of dangerous diseases in the expectant mother:

  1. Ectopic pregnancy. This is an emergency condition that develops due to the attachment of the fertilized egg not to the lining of the uterus, but to another organ. The most common ectopic pregnancy is the fallopian tube. All signs of normal gestation appear. If a woman has taken the test, it shows a faint line, which may disappear when fertilization is re-determined. The disease is characterized by delayed menstruation, the appearance of cutting, acute pain in the abdomen at 5-6 weeks of gestation and is accompanied by red discharge or heavy bleeding. The embryo grows and may subsequently rupture the tube.
  2. Inflammatory processes of the ovary - adnexitis, oophoritis. Unpleasant sensations occur in the left or right side, lower abdomen or lumbar region, most often in the first or second trimester. Inflammation can be acute or chronic, with the latter considered more dangerous. During pregnancy, the disease makes itself felt, since a woman is most vulnerable during gestation. The development of the disease occurs as a result of a common cold, as well as when affected by sexually transmitted infections - chlamydia, mycoplasma, cytomegalovirus, fungus of the genus Candida.
  3. Apoplexy. During pregnancy, ovarian rupture occurs at the stage of formation of the corpus luteum. It is easily injured, sprouting new vessels. When a vessel is damaged, the blood forms a hematoma, which, increasing, ruptures the organ. The most common rupture of the right appendage, since it is better supplied with blood compared to the left. Apoplexy occurs due to heavy lifting, excessive physical activity, violent sexual intercourse, trauma, and pathology of the blood vessels of the appendage.
  4. Rupture of an ovarian cyst. In the early stages, the formation is characterized by a dull nagging pain in the right or left side. When it bursts, fluid escapes into the abdominal cavity. Severe, sharp pain, nausea and vomiting appear, and body temperature rises. An equally dangerous condition is considered to be torsion of the pedicle of the cyst, which also causes severe pain in the lower abdomen.

Watch a video on the topic of ovarian cysts during pregnancy:

Non-obstetric

Sometimes the feeling of discomfort in the appendage area is not associated with any disease in them.

Pathology of other organs occurs, and the pregnant woman believes that abdominal pain is associated with the ovaries:

  1. Indigestion. During gestation, constipation occurs due to poor nutrition and non-compliance with the drinking regime. Also, problems with digestion are provoked by toxicosis: an aversion to many foods is caused with a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. After 30 weeks, the expectant mother’s body prepares for childbirth: progesterone is actively produced, relaxing the smooth muscles of the organs. At the same time, the hormone acts on the smooth muscle fibers of the gastrointestinal tract - the intestinal walls, the gallbladder. The woman is worried about belching, flatulence, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the abdomen.
  2. Inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and bladder. Pyelonephritis and cystitis are common causes of pain in the lower abdomen.
  3. Acute appendicitis. With pain in the right side, a pregnant woman may decide that her right appendage hurts. In fact, the appendix has become inflamed, and the woman urgently needs medical attention. If a pregnant woman has pain on her right side, she must be examined by a surgeon and a gynecologist.

What to do if you feel pain

What can you do to prevent your ovaries from hurting? First, understand why the symptoms arose. Only a doctor can accurately determine the cause of discomfort. That is why consultation with a gynecologist is a mandatory procedure. Even if a woman feels only nagging, mild pain, a visit to a specialist is necessary. If you ignore the symptoms, the threat to the health of the mother and baby increases.

In the early stages

If the discomfort in the abdomen is not severe, you can try to eliminate them yourself.

  1. Take a comfortable lying position, try to completely relax until you feel better. If the cause of the pain is nervous tension or fatigue, the symptoms go away with rest.
  2. Stop all physical activities, especially those that involve heavy lifting.
  3. Try to avoid stressful situations, don't be nervous.
  4. If abdominal pain intensifies or bloody discharge appears, do not tolerate it and call an ambulance immediately.

In the later stages

If you have an unpleasant feeling in the genital area in the later stages, do not panic.

After consulting with your doctor, you will receive valuable recommendations that you will follow:

  1. If the discomfort is associated with tension in the uterine ligaments, the expectant mother should apply a warm compress or something warm at a comfortable temperature, but not hot.
  2. Do moderate physical activity. It has a tonic and general strengthening effect on the female body.
  3. When the cause of nagging pain in the abdomen is indigestion, the first thing a pregnant woman should do is review her diet, eliminating harmful foods that cause gas formation and constipation.

When is the best time to see a doctor?

There are reasons when you need to urgently seek medical help:

  1. Increased pain: change from dull, pulling discomfort to cutting and sharp sensations.
  2. The symptom does not subside for a long time.
  3. The appearance of spotting brown, red or pinkish discharge from the genital tract.
  4. The occurrence of bleeding from the organs of the reproductive system.
  5. High body temperature.
  6. Discharge from the genital tract that is whitish, yellow or green in color with a foul odor.
  7. Feeling of “petrification” in the abdomen.

Treatment with folk remedies

During gestation, the expectant mother is prohibited from taking many pharmaceutical drugs. Traditional medicine comes to the aid of a pregnant woman.

According to reviews from women on forums, “grandmother’s recipes” not only cope with painful sensations, but also do not harm the embryo. And yet, alternative medicine should be used only after consultation with a doctor. Some seemingly harmless herbal preparations can provoke contractions and miscarriage.

Proven recipes:

  1. Blueberry infusion. To prepare, take 1 tbsp. l. raw materials, pour a glass of boiling water and leave for about half an hour. Drink the resulting drink ½ glass in the morning and evening.
  2. Infusion of rose hips with black currants. Take the fruits in equal proportions and pour boiling water over them. Infuse the drink for about an hour, then strain it and drink it instead of tea. Add a little sugar if desired.
  3. Linden infusion. Prepare a small handful of the tree's fruit. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over them, leave for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the product and take 1 tsp. 3 times a day.
  4. Melissa infusion. 4 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over the raw materials. Then leave the medicine to infuse for 1 hour. Strain and drink half a glass three times a day.

Before using them, be sure to consult with your doctor to avoid negative consequences on the mother and fetus.

Prevention of the disease

Doctors say that the main measure to prevent any painful manifestations during gestation is planning a pregnancy. You should give up bad habits, promptly identify and cure diseases that, during pregnancy, can cause harm to the baby’s health. This is especially true for sexually transmitted infections. If the fallopian tubes have adhesions or synechiae, surgery will be required to cut them to prevent ectopic pregnancy.

It is necessary to observe a work-rest regime, avoiding overwork and fatigue. Experts allow moderate physical activity, but heavy lifting, heavy workload, and violent sexual intercourse should be completely excluded.

Conclusion

Pain in the ovaries during pregnancy is quite common. This is not surprising, since the woman’s body begins to rebuild, and the ovaries also undergo changes. To determine the diagnosis, the expectant mother must visit a doctor in order to rule out serious diseases and bear a healthy child.