Ovary pain is pain you feel in your ovaries. Your ovaries are two small organs on the left and right side of your pelvis. Certain diseases and conditions can cause ovary pain. Some are serious, but others aren’t a cause for concern. Still, you should see a healthcare provider for any persistent ovary or pelvic pain.
Your ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands on either side of your uterus (a right ovary and a left ovary). They make and store your eggs, which you need for reproduction. Your ovaries also make the hormones that trigger ovulation and menstruation.
Ovarian pain is any pain you feel around your ovaries. If you have ovarian pain, you probably feel it in your lower abdomen (below your belly button), pelvis or in your lower back. Sometimes, only one ovary hurts at a time. Other times, you may feel pain in both ovaries.
Ovary pain can be chronic or acute. Chronic pain is pain that happens frequently and lasts several months, while acute pain is pain that happens suddenly and/or comes and goes.
It’s important to contact your healthcare provider if you have ovary or pelvic pain. Several conditions can cause painful ovaries. Some can be serious, while others are normal. Getting to the underlying cause of the pain determines treatment.
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There are several reasons why your ovaries may be hurting. Some causes of ovarian pain, such as an ache during ovulation or during your period, aren’t a cause for worry. However, certain types of pain can be a sign of something more serious.
Ovulation pain (or mittelschmerz) is pain that occurs each month when you ovulate or release an egg. Ovulation happens about halfway through your menstrual cycle. Ovary pain during ovulation typically feels like a dull ache on just one side of your pelvis. This is because only one ovary releases an egg at a time. Other symptoms of ovulation pain may include vaginal discharge or light bleeding.
Your healthcare provider diagnoses ovulation pain by noting the timing of the pain. They may also perform a pelvic exam and not find anything unusual. Treatment for ovulation pain usually involves over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication like ibuprofen. Some people find relief by taking birth control pills because they prevent ovulation from happening. Luckily, ovulation pain usually lasts just a few days and doesn’t cause any long-term complications.
Some people experience pain in the area around their ovaries just before or when they get their period. Like ovulation pain, it’s not a cause for concern. It happens because your uterus is contracting in order to shed your uterine lining. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers or using a heating pad can help.
Ovarian cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs on your ovaries. They’re usually noncancerous. However, they can cause unpleasant symptoms, like pain in your ovaries, pain during sex and irregular menstrual bleeding. Ovarian cysts can rupture (burst) and cause internal bleeding and severe abdominal pain.
Your healthcare provider can diagnose ovarian cysts with a pelvic exam and ultrasound. A lot of ovarian cysts go away on their own or with the help of hormonal birth control pills. If you need surgery, your provider can remove an ovarian cyst with a minimally invasive procedure called laparoscopy. This involves removing the cyst through a small incision.
Endometriosis is when endometrial tissue develops in areas other than your uterus, such as your fallopian tubes or ovaries. Endometriosis can cause symptoms like severe pain and cramping in your ovaries. Untreated endometriosis can make it difficult to get pregnant.
Your healthcare provider may perform a pelvic ultrasound, MRI or laparoscopy to get a better look at your pelvic region. There isn’t one treatment for endometriosis. Hormonal medications like birth control can help with pain and bleeding. Surgery to remove scarring from endometriosis can also help with painful symptoms.
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop within the muscle lining of your uterus. They can cause pain in your pelvic area, including around your ovaries. Another common symptom of fibroids is heavy or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Healthcare providers treat uterine fibroids with medication or with a surgical procedure called a myomectomy.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that affects the organs in your pelvis, including your ovaries. PID can lead to permanent damage and affect your ability to get pregnant. Symptoms of PID are similar to other conditions involving your reproductive organs, such as pain in your abdomen, painful sex and irregular bleeding.
Your healthcare provider diagnoses PID through a pelvic exam and other tests that check your vaginal fluid for infection (including sexually transmitted infections, or STIs). Antibiotics treat PID. Because it can cause long-term complications, getting prompt treatment for PID is important.
An ectopic pregnancy is when a pregnancy develops outside your uterus, usually in your fallopian tubes. It causes severe pain in your ovaries and is a medical emergency. The early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can be very similar to typical pregnancy symptoms. Some of these include vaginal bleeding, pain in your abdomen and feeling tired or weak. Healthcare providers usually diagnose ectopic pregnancies in the first trimester (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy) using ultrasound.
Ovarian tumors are solid masses that grow in your ovary. They can be cancerous or noncancerous. Ovarian germ cell tumors and granulosa cell tumors are examples of tumors that can cause painful ovaries. Some examples of noncancerous tumors include a dermoid tumor or teratoma. Your healthcare provider diagnoses ovarian tumors with ultrasound and imaging tests like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment for tumors usually involves surgery to remove the tumors.
While rare, pain in your ovaries could be from ovarian cancer. There are several types of ovarian cancer, and the treatment and outlook for each are different. Symptoms of ovarian cancer also vary. Cancer in your ovaries can cause ovary pain that’s severe or different from typical menstrual cycle pain. You may also feel bloated or full. It’s important to catch cancer early and begin treatment as soon as possible. Remember, ovary pain is rarely cancer, but you should see your provider just in case. Your provider may recommend a blood test called a CA-125 test that checks for proteins commonly found in people with ovarian cancer.
Ovarian torsion is when your ovary twists around the ligaments that hold it in place. It most often occurs due to a cyst, tumor or from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). You’re also at higher risk for ovarian torsion if you’re undergoing fertility treatments to get pregnant. Ovarian torsion can cause severe and sudden pain in your ovaries and pelvis. It’s a medical emergency and requires surgery to untwist your ovary.
ORS occurs when ovarian tissue is left over from surgery to remove your ovaries (oophorectomy) and fallopian tubes (salpingectomy). This tissue can cause pelvic pain, pain during sex or problems when you pee or poop.
Ovarian pain can range from mild to severe. Some people report a dull ache that comes and goes, while others say their ovary pain is sharp and sudden. Severe ovary pain may make it difficult to complete your usual tasks. Often, people say ovary pain worsens with certain activities like when they pee or have sex.
No matter what type of pain you feel, it’s best to be safe and let your healthcare provider know. Discuss your symptoms with them so they can recommend tests or treatment.
Your ovaries are in an area with many other organs like your appendix, kidneys and intestines. Because of this, conditions affecting those organs can be mistaken for ovary pain. The pain in your ovaries may not be related to your ovaries at all.
Some examples of conditions that may make you believe you have ovary pain are:
Your healthcare provider will likely order tests to see if they can determine the cause of the pain. Imaging tests like pelvic ultrasound can give your provider clues as to why you might have ovary pain. Physical exams, including a pelvic exam, can also help your provider with a diagnosis. They’ll also ask for your complete medical and sexual history. Lab tests like urinalysis or blood tests can help diagnose infections.
Your healthcare provider may ask you questions like:
It depends on what’s causing your pain. Your treatment plan is unique to your diagnosis and symptoms.
Healthcare providers commonly treat ovarian pain with the following:
Left untreated, the condition causing your pain can worsen. This means your symptoms may intensify and cause you more discomfort. While most causes of ovary pain aren’t life-threatening, it’s still important to talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. They can look into your symptoms and perform the necessary tests to make sure the cause isn’t something serious.
Any persistent, ongoing or noticeable ovary pain warrants a call to your healthcare provider. Not all causes of ovary pain are serious, but it’s always best to be cautious. You should let your provider know about all your symptoms so they can make a diagnosis and recommend treatment. Contact your provider if you experience the following symptoms:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Ovary pain or ongoing pelvic pain isn’t something you should ignore. In most cases, ovary pain isn’t cancer. Less serious conditions and diseases are more likely to be the cause of ovary pain. In any event, your healthcare provider is the best person to evaluate your symptoms and determine an underlying cause of your ovary pain. Keeping up with your annual wellness and gynecological exams can be helpful because these visits help your provider spot potential problems before they become something more serious.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/13/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy