Experiencing pain in the ovarian area during bowel movements can be confusing. While often attributed directly to the ovaries, various underlying factors contribute to this discomfort. Understanding the origins and recognizing when medical attention is needed is important.
The Body’s Interconnectedness
The pelvic cavity houses reproductive and digestive organs, including ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, colon, and rectum. Their close proximity means issues in one system can affect the other.
Shared nerve pathways in the pelvis contribute to pain perception. Bowel discomfort can be “referred” to the ovarian region, even if ovaries are not the direct source. This neurological crosstalk explains why bowel movements can trigger pain feeling distinctly ovarian.
Reasons for Ovarian Area Pain
Pain in the ovarian area during bowel movements can arise from several sources, ranging from normal physiological processes to medical conditions. Identifying the specific cause requires careful evaluation of symptoms and medical history.
Physiological Causes
Normal bodily functions can sometimes lead to this pain. Ovulation (mittelschmerz) can cause a dull ache or sharp pain on one side of the lower abdomen as an egg is released. This temporary pain can be exacerbated by bowel movement pressure.
Menstrual cramps, involving uterine contractions, can affect nearby structures and intensify during defecation due to the uterus’s close proximity to the bowel.
Gastrointestinal Causes
Issues within the digestive system frequently contribute to pelvic pain. Constipation, characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements, leads to significant pressure in the colon and rectum. This pressure, combined with straining, can cause pain to radiate to the adjacent ovarian area.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common disorder affecting the large intestine, can cause cramping, bloating, and altered bowel habits that trigger pain perceived in the pelvis.
Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths on the uterus, can press against the rectum or colon, leading to constipation and pain during bowel movements. These fibroids vary in size and location, impacting digestive interference.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. These can result in generalized pelvic pain that may intensify with bowel activity.
Gynecological Causes
Conditions directly affecting reproductive organs frequently manifest as pain in the ovarian region during defecation. Ovarian cysts, fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries, can cause pain, pressure, or discomfort during bowel movements, especially if large or interfering with blood supply. A ruptured cyst or ovarian torsion can cause sudden, severe pain requiring immediate medical attention.
Endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, is a common cause of such pain. This misplaced tissue can implant on reproductive organs and bowels, leading to inflammation, scarring, and adhesions. Bowel endometriosis can cause severe pain with bowel movements, often worsening during menstruation, and may be accompanied by symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, or rectal bleeding.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), an infection of the reproductive organs, can cause lower abdominal pain that may worsen during bowel movements, alongside abnormal discharge or fever.
Other Potential Causes
Adhesions, bands of scar tissue forming after surgery, infection, or inflammation, can bind organs in the pelvic cavity. These adhesions restrict organ movement and cause pain, particularly when bowel movements place tension on them.
Ovarian remnant syndrome, where ovarian tissue remains after surgical removal, can result in persistent pelvic pain, including discomfort during bowel movements.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While some ovarian area pain during bowel movements may be benign, certain indicators suggest the need for medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider if the pain is severe, sudden, or progressively worsening. Persistent pain that does not resolve or recurs frequently also warrants attention.
Concerning symptoms that should prompt a doctor’s visit include fever or chills, unexplained weight loss, or significant changes in bowel habits like new-onset constipation or diarrhea. Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pain during sexual intercourse, or pain that interferes with daily activities are also concerning. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.
What to Expect at the Doctor’s
When seeking medical advice for ovarian area pain during bowel movements, a healthcare provider will typically take a comprehensive medical history. This includes detailed questions about the pain’s onset, duration, severity, associated symptoms, and menstrual history. Providing specific information about when the pain occurs, what makes it better or worse, and any other body changes can greatly assist in diagnosis.
A physical examination, which may include a pelvic exam, is usually performed to assess for tenderness, unusual growths, or muscular tension. During this exam, the doctor can check for painful areas, helping to pinpoint the source of discomfort.
Following the examination, various diagnostic tests might be ordered to identify the underlying cause. Common diagnostic tests include:
Pelvic ultrasound: Uses sound waves to visualize the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding structures, detecting cysts, fibroids, or other abnormalities.
Blood tests: Check for signs of inflammation, infection markers, or hormone levels.
Urine tests: Rule out urinary tract infections, which can sometimes mimic pelvic pain.
Specialized imaging: CT scans or MRI for a more detailed view of internal organs in complex cases.
Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure to directly visualize pelvic organs and diagnose conditions like endometriosis or adhesions.