Is PCOS Painful?
PCOS causes a number of symptoms. Women who have this condition gain excess weight and even grow unwanted thick hair. Most women report pain in the abdomen area. But it is important to understand that the abdomen pain may not always be due to PCOS. In most cases, the pain is due to one of the PCOS symptoms.
Of course, there are times when the pain is due to the cysts in the ovaries. So, is PCOS painful? The answer to this question is not as simple. PCOS in some cases can be painful. To get a better understanding of whether or not PCOS can cause pain, it is important to understand what it entails.
What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause for PCOS is not clear. In fact, there is not much information or even a cure for the condition. However, you can control PCOS by managing symptoms. Most women with PCOS live a normal life and even have children. It’s just about making a few healthy changes to your life. PCOS studies do show that it is genetic. So, if an immediate family member has PCOS, chances are you could have it too.
Other studies revealed that consuming processed foods can cause PCOS. Processed foods and milk often contain hormones. When ingested, they can cause an imbalance of hormones, which may lead to PCOS. Most women who are dealing with PCOS often ask is PCOS painful? Whether or not PCOS causes pain entirely depends on its severity. In some cases, it can be painful, while there are situations where it is quite easy to manage.
What Causes PCOS Pain?
PCOS pain is generally elevated ovulation symptoms. It is important to understand that women who have PCOS have fewer ovulation cycles. Typically, a woman should have anywhere between ten to seventeen ovulation cycles in a year. However, women who have PCOS only have six to eight. The inconsistency in ovulation is due to the imbalance of hormones.
Another thing to consider is the ovulation cycle also lasts longer in some cases. The pain associated with PCOS is generally PMS or menstrual cramps. Generally, PMS and cramps do not last as long. But if you have PCOS, the pain can take longer to subside. However, there could be other reasons for the pain:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
If you have PCOS, you are no stranger to the bouts of stress it can bring about. The stress is a symptom of the hormonal imbalance. If you experience severe abdomen pain, you could have IBS. Two symptoms of PCOS are triggers for IBS, namely stress and hormonal imbalance.
It could be difficult to determine whether an imbalance or hormones or stress triggers your IBS. But, if you are experiencing diarrhea at night and weight loss along with the abdomen pain, you could have IBS. If you suspect that you have IBS, be sure to consult a doctor. They will prescribe medications to help manage the pain and other IBS symptoms.
Mittelschmerz
If you experience discomfort and are wondering is PCOS painful, you could have Mittelschmerz. This occurs only during ovulation. The pain is associated with the follicle rupturing and releasing an egg. The exact duration and occurrence of Mittelschmerz depends entirely on you. Some women experience this every month during ovulation. Others experience it a handful of times in a year. If you have Mittelschmerz, you most likely experience a few or all of these symptoms:
- Pain on one side of your lower abdomen
- Dull pain similar to cramps
- Sharp and sudden pain
- Mild vaginal bleeding or discharge
If you experience these symptoms, you don’t have to worry. Mittelschmerz does not require medical attention in most cases. But if you feel the pain is becoming unbearable, you should see a doctor. Another thing to keep in mind is that pain associated with this condition rarely lasts more than three to four days. If the pain continues for longer, you should seek medical advice.
How to Manage PCOS related Pain
Managing PCOS related pain simply means working to control the PCOS symptoms. Most PCOS symptoms elevate if you gain weight. Insulin resistance can also heighten PCOS symptoms and the pain it causes.
Try to Lose Weight
You can control most PCOS symptoms if you manage your weight. Start by eating healthy and cut off processed sugars and foods from your diet. Once you develop the habit of eating healthy, you should start working out. Get a weighing scale and keep track of your progress. This will also help you stay motivated as you will be able to notice even a small reduction in weight.
Once you lose weight and adapt to healthy eating habits, you will notice an improvement in most PCOS symptoms. After your PCOS symptoms are in control, you can also curb the resulting pain. You may experience the occasional discomfort during ovulation but the sharp and unbearable pain will go.
Herbal Tea
One of the best ways to manage PCOS pain and its symptoms is to drink herbal tea. Avoid coffee at all costs as caffeine can elevate your PCOS symptoms. A healthier alternative to coffee is herbal spearmint tea, which has antioxidant properties that can help boost your immune system. If you experience pain during ovulation, have a cup of spearmint tea before going to bed. The tea will help you relax and curb the pain. The best part is that spearmint tea will help you sleep better.
While PCOS related pain is not always concerning, you should keep monitoring your symptoms. If the pain has been going on for a while or if it is severe, you should see a doctor. Also, you should get a pelvic exam and blood tests from time to time.
This will help you keep track of your hormonal levels and overall health. Is PCOS painful? Yes, it can be but it shouldn’t stop you from living a normal and healthy life. All you need to do is work towards adapting healthy habits and you will be able to curb PCOS symptoms easily.
