Pain In Ovaries When Coughing – 10 Possible Causes

Sharp pain in ovaries when sneezing:

The ovaries form part of the female reproductive system. These glands have 3 important functions – they release eggs for possible fertilization, they protect the eggs a female is born with, and they secrete hormones (progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone).

If a woman gets ovary abdominal pain in the mornings when stretching or coughing, there are many different causes.

Here are 10 possible causes of pain in ovaries when coughing or stretching:

#1 Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. Almost all ectopic pregnancies happen in the fallopian tube (also known as uterine tubes).

The first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding or pain. A woman can also experience a pain felt in the abdomen, pelvis, or even the neck or shoulder.

#2 Appendicitis

Appendicitis happens when the appendix becomes blocked, and pathogenic bacteria invade and infect the wall of the appendix. The appendix is a small, tubular appendage attached to the cecum of the colon.

The classic signs and symptoms of appendicitis include:

  • inability to pass gas;
  • constipation or diarrhea;
  • a temperature of 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit;
  • abdominal swelling;
  • nausea or vomiting;
  • loss of appetite;
  • dull pain near the navel or the lower or upper abdomen which becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen.

#3 Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled pockets or sacs in an ovary or on its surface. According to statistics, many women will develop at least one cyst during their lifetime. In most cases, they are painless and cause no symptoms.

However, larger cysts are more likely to cause symptoms such as:

  • nausea and vomiting;
  • pain in the lower left or right quadrant of the abdomen on one side;
  • pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia);
  • having difficult, painful bowel movements;
  • feeling an urge to have a bowel movement;
  • increased abdominal girth;
  • a feeling of indigestion or bloating;
  • pain in the pelvis and abdomen, which is radiating to the low back.

#4 Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain is a pregnancy symptom that is common during the 2nd trimester. It occurs because the ligaments which support and surround the uterus and connect it to the groin have to stretch and thicken to accommodate that change.

Sneezing, coughing, quick movements or laughing may trigger the shooting pains.

Note – the pain is internal, however, if you were to trace it on your skin, the pain would follow the bikini line in a very high-cut bathing suit.

#5 Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, however, they are found in a location outside of the uterus. This can be very painful, particularly during the period.

An estimated 5.5 million American women have symptoms of endometriosis every year. If left untreated, this condition can result in infertility, plus, it increases the risk for some types of cancer.

#6 Bowel Obstruction

An intestinal obstruction happens when the large or small intestine is blocked. The blockage can be total or partial, and it prevents the passage of fluids and digested food.

Approximately 20 percent of hospital admissions for acute abdominal pain are due to bowel obstruction and in most cases, it occurs in the small intestine.

There are different ways in which the bowel could become blocked:

  • if the bowel’s muscle walls become paralyzed, they can’t move anything along;
  • damaged blood vessels leading to the bowel can cause some bowel tissue to die;
  • a tumor or other type of growth inside the bowel could block the passage;
  • scar tissue could make the bowel too narrow for anything to pass through;
  • the bowel may become inflamed and swell up;
  • part of your bowel may become twisted, that can close it off and stop food from passing through.

#7 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the reproductive organs in women.

It commonly happens when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.

You can also develop pelvic inflammatory disease without ever having a sexually transmitted infection. Other factors that can cause PID include:

  • fever (high temperature);
  • having sex and being under the age of 25;
  • vaginal discharge;
  • having a history of PID;
  • douching;
  • using an intrauterine device to prevent pregnancy;
  • having sex without a condom;
  • having sex with different people.

Common signs and symptoms of PID may include:

  • painful sexual intercourse;
  • painful urination;
  • abdominal or pelvic pain.

READ MORE: Pepcid vs Zantac

#8 Twisted ovary

A twisted ovary occurs when an ovary flops down and rotates, substantially reducing its own blood supply in the process. This condition is generally associated with a reduced venous return from the ovary as a result of internal hemorrhage, stromal edema, or hyperstimulation.

Symptoms of ovarian torsion may include:

  • pain, cramping, and tenderness in the lower abdomen;
  • vomiting;
  • nausea;
  • cramping.

READ MORE: Roseola vs Measles

#9 Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is inflammation of small pouches called diverticula which develop along the walls of the intestines.

Symptoms of the condition may last from a few hours to a few days. These symptoms may include:

  • loss of appetite;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • diarrhea or constipation;
  • abdominal swelling;
  • a bloated feeling;
  • excessive intestinal gas;
  • fever and chills;
  • pain in the abdomen which is worse when you move.

READ MORE: Mucus Plug vs Discharge – Differences

#10 Bladder Infections

Bladder infections are the most frequent type of urinary tract infection.

A bladder infection is usually caused by a bacterial infection within the bladder.

Many urinary tract infections are not serious, however, if the infection reaches the kidneys, serious health problems, and even death, can occur. Symptoms of UTIs include:

  • urine which is cloudy or foul-smelling;
  • pain in the lower abdomen;
  • the urge to urinate often;
  • pain or burning sensation during urination.

READ THIS NEXT: Nexplanon vs Depo-Provera

References

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/endometri/clinicaltrials
https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2012-10-08-study-tests
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4268192/
 

Leave a Comment