Why do my ovaries hurt when I sneeze? | 7 possible reasons for pain in ovaries
The most common reasons ovaries hurt when you sneeze are Pelvic/hip joint problems, pregnancy, and ovarian cancer. However, it could have also resulted from random movement in your body.
Have you ever sneezed and felt a sharp pain in your ovary? Did that pain cause you to yelp, “Owwww!” like a puppy? It’s not painful per se — but if you’ve got a cyst or other problem on one of your ovaries, it can be uncomfortable.
As we age, our bodies no longer respond to stress as they once did. Aging is one of America’s leading causes of chronic pain and illness.
Women’s ovaries may begin to hurt when they sneeze. However, this strange symptom may be a scary reaction that something is wrong.
So, it is a good thing you are doing your research. However, there is no need to panic as I will talk you through the possible reasons why your ovaries hurt while you sneeze and quick actions to take.
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7 reasons why your ovaries hurt when you sneeze
- Muscle weakness or tension
Your muscles swiftly tighten when you sneeze; if your pelvic muscles are weak, you run a higher chance of suffering a muscle strain or injury.
- Hip joint problems
When sneezing, pelvic joint issues can be very painful. Sneezing causes intense muscle contractions that can put a lot of pressure on your joints, especially if you already have a joint issue.
- Pregnancy
One study found that almost 72% of pregnant women experienced lower back discomfort and pelvic pain. Pelvic pain can be all too real for pregnant women or those who have already experienced pregnancy.
This region’s muscles and joints are impacted by pregnancy, which may result in symptoms like pain or discomfort made worse by sneezing.
- Internal movements
The abdominal muscles are contracted by sneezing, with a corresponding tightening of their ligaments that can cause pain in the ovaries.
Or, the uterus is pushed against your diaphragm during sneezing. This can cause constriction in your pelvic veins, leading to increased pressure on the ovaries and causing them to hurt.
- Hormones
The ovaries also produce hormones that regulate menstruation, reproduction, menopause, and sex drive. These hormones can affect the ovaries, making them tender at some time of the month, which can hurt when you sneeze.
Other causes
- Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer may also cause the pain you experience when you cough or sneeze. When ovarian cells grow uncontrollably, ovarian cancer is the result. Most women who get ovarian cancer are between 40 and 60.
Women with one or more eggs in their ovaries but healthy ovaries may develop ovarian cancer if the cells that make up those eggs start to grow out of control.
Tumors are created when the cells turn malignant (cancerous) and begin to spread throughout the body. Tumors can then spread to other body parts via blood vessels or lymphatic vessels.
- Ovarian cysts
Ovary cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets that grow outside the ovaries. These are referred to as functional cysts and often go away after a few weeks or months. Most cyst forms grow throughout the menstrual cycle.
Ovarian cysts are often benign or non-cancerous. In general, postmenopausal older people are more likely to have cancerous or malignant ovarian cysts.
A common ovarian cysts symptom is flu. Flu caused by ovarian cysts will make you cough and sneeze, which might hurt your ovaries.
What if I have ovarian cancer?
After looking at all the possible causes of pain when you sneeze, you might ask, “what if it is ovarian cancer?”.
Don’t panic! There is a very low chance of it being cancer. According to studies, only one in 78 women would have ovarian cancer.
However, there is a chance that it could be ovarian cancer if you are older than 68.
Symptoms
Ovarian cancer may not show any signs in its early stages. You might not exhibit any symptoms until the malignancy has progressed. However, ovarian cancer’s most typical signs and symptoms include:
- Stomach bloating
- Swelling
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Frequent urination
- Period changes, such as excessively heavy or irregular periods.
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Sudden weight loss,
- A stomach ache and constipation
Risk factors
- Family history
- Excess weight/obesity
- Endometriosis
- Smoking
- Late/no pregnancy/barrenness
- Use of fertility treatment
I want you to know that even if you have a couple of risk factors listed above, it isn’t certain that you have cancer. However, it would help if you visited your doctor to know for sure.
Treatment
You must be concerned about the treatment of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer, unlike some other cancers, can be operated on. However, if the ovary is badly affected, they might have to remove it.
In Addition to the ovaries, they might further remove surrounding tissues, which may involve the removal of the following:
- Close lymph nodes
- omentum
- fallopian tubes
- uterus
- cervix
What do you do about the pain?
If you experience pain during sneezing, you must relax and try to breathe deeply. If you are frequently experiencing headaches or pelvic pain, talk with your doctor about these symptoms and how they may be related to pregnancy or other health conditions.
FAQ
How can I determine what is causing the pain in my ovaries?
You can determine what ailment is causing the pain or discomfort in your pelvic region, abdomen, or ovaries by listing the symptoms you’ve had since the problem started.
Then schedule a visit with your doctor so they can fully examine and test you to rule out any underlying diseases.
Can I use any medications to lessen the pain?
You can use medicines like ibuprofen to minimize and relieve the pain. However, the relief it will provide will only last a short while if you have any underlying ailments.
It would help if you visited your doctor soon to get the appropriate medications.