Most women experience ovarian pain several times throughout life, especially during ovulation or menstruation. People tend to think that with the onset of menopause this will stop happening, but sometimes ovarian pain can reappear or persist.
It is pain in the lower abdomen which can be more or less intense, constant or throbbing. When it occurs during the menstrual cycle, It is usually due to inflammation of the ovaries during ovulation. Therefore, it is not normal to feel pain in the ovaries during menopause, as they are no longer active at that stage.
In this article, we explain why ovarian pain can occur during menopause.
What are the causes of ovarian pain?
Sometimes women confuse the arrival of menopause Why do your periods stop coming? However, it is usually perimenopause. It is a transitional phase in which the woman does not have a period, but it can reappear because the ovaries are still active.
The number one cause of ovarian pain at this stage is ovulation. It happens because the ovaries continue to function and swell just like in the fertile phase. Typical period bleeding is likely to occur after a couple of days.
However, another reason is the ectopic pregnancies in those women who have not yet actually entered menopause. This is nothing more than that pregnancy that is implanted outside the uterine tissue, by and large, in the fallopian tubes. It usually causes severe pelvic pain and discomfort in the lower back.
The experts point it out Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition that also causes ovarian pain. It is usually a complication of a sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, in addition to pain, other discomforts also appear. Symptoms include foul-smelling discharge and pain when urinating.
However, the most important cause is tumors (which can be benign or malignant). In this line, when the woman hasn’t had her period for more than a year and feels pain in her ovaries, it could be due to a tumor. Other possible causes are the following:
- endometriosis: It is a pathology that usually appears during the fertile season, but can be prolonged in menopause. Second an investigation of the Spanish Ministry of Health (2020), the incidence of this condition is estimated to be 0.3 – 1% per year and the prevalence 1 – 5%.
- Gastrointestinal disorders: There are conditions that can simulate ovarian pain. In fact, gas or irritable bowel syndrome is often confused.
- Ovarian cystsThey are cavities filled with liquid. The truth is, they are frequent and usually cause no symptoms; Even so, they can cause discomfort if they break.
What other symptoms does ovarian cancer have?
As we mentioned, ovarian pain can be a symptom of a tumor in this area. In addition, there are other signs that warn of this situation. For example, the woman may have difficulty eating and may even feel satisfied with little food. On the other hand, urinary symptoms are usually referred to as a constant urge to go to the toilet.
However, these signs also occur in other diseases. In fact, when it comes to a ovarian cancer, symptoms are often persistent or more frequent. Although they may have another cause, if in doubt it is advisable to go to the gynecologist.
Moreover, you may feel more tiredness and pain during sex or in your back. It can also affect the stomach, causing constipation or swelling. A warning sign is bleeding, especially if the woman has been in menopause for more than a year.
Research state that the risk of ovarian cancer is increased in postmenopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy. This risk is directly proportional to the treatment time and is maintained even after the cessation of consumption.
Ovarian pain, how to know it’s not cancer?
Early determination of whether a tumor exists is essential. Second an investigation of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, in 2020 there were 2036 deaths from ovarian cancer.
To find out if the origin of the pain is a tumor, it is necessary to go to the specialist. The doctor will know the complete medical history of each patient, as well as his family history. Furthermore, it’s best to start with a pelvic and abdominal exam.
In this line, the specialist can perform a series of complementary tests to diagnose it. First of all, they usually ask a ultrasound. With it, one can determine whether there is a mass in the ovary and, if there is, whether it is solid or liquid.
Second the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and BioengineeringTHE computed tomography used more often than resonance. It helps to distinguish more clearly whether or not there is a tumor. Also, biopsies are sometimes done.
Ovarian pain in menopause is not physiological; it could be a sign of a possible tumor of the ovaries. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor in case of any doubts or symptoms. Relevant tests should be performed to exclude tumor disease. Indeed, the sooner the diagnosis is made, the better.
Post menopausal ovarian pain first appeared in research-school.