Do you ever notice an ache or sharp pa|n on one side of your lower abdomen near the middle of your menstrual cycle? It could be ovulation pa|n, also known as mittelschmerz. The term comes from the German words for “middle” and “pa|n.” Mittelschmerz is typically harmless and doesn’t require medical attention. The pain may feel like a mild twinge or maybe a sudden sharp pa|n. Some may feel this for a few minutes, but can last much longer in others. Many say they feel ovulation pain on just the side that’s releasing the egg. This means if the ovary on your right side is releasing the egg, you’ll feel pain on your right. Some find that the pain occurs every month, regardless of which ovary releases an egg. Others may find that ovulation only hurts on one side, so their pain likely occurs every other month. If your pa|n is severe or you have any concerns, your healthcare provider may perform an abdominal and pelvic exam, ultrasounds to rule out other causes of the pa|n like cysts, ...