84 Natural Ways to Manage Ovulation Cramps

Pain and discomfort outside of your menstrual period can be inconvenient and confusing.

Learning about the cause of such pain, however, can lead you to remedies that will help you manage it.

One such discomfort that can happen outside of your period is ovulation cramps. As the name suggests, ovulation cramps occur during ovulation. Like period pain, ovulation cramps may involve a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache in the abdomen.

Let’s learn more about ovulation cramps and explore:

• Some causes of ovulation cramps
• How period pain differs from ovulation pain
• 84 natural ways to manage ovulation cramps

What Causes Ovulation Cramps?

The exact cause of mittelschmerz, as ovulation cramps are sometimes referred to, is unknown, but some speculated reasons include:

• Follicle growth: A follicle holds an egg until maturation, and when ovulation nears, it grows so that it can release the egg. The growth of the follicle can cause the ovary to stretch, thereby causing pain.
• Irritation of the abdominal cavity: After a follicle ruptures, fluid and blood are expelled, which might irritate the abdominal cavity and cause some pain.
• Contraction of fallopian tubes: Once the egg is released, the fallopian tube contracts to push the egg towards the uterus. Ovulation cramps can be caused by these contractions.

Once ovulation is complete, ovulation cramps will also disappear. However, if you get pregnant during this phase, you can also experience implantation cramps, which occur at least 6 days after ovulation as the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine wall.

The table below highlights some ways to differentiate between ovulation, implantation, and period cramps.

Ovulation Cramps	Implantation Cramps	Period Cramps
Occur during ovulation	Occur after conception	Occur during menstruation
Lasts a few hours—no longer than a day	Won’t last more than a few days	Lasts for an average of 48–72 hrs
Sudden, sharp pain	Mild, infrequent, light twinges	Consistent dull or throbbing pain
Usually one-sided, on either the right or left side of the stomach	Occur in the middle of the abdomen	Occurs in the lower abdomen

Now let’s get into the natural ways to manage ovulation cramps.

Balance Your Hormone Levels

Hormonal imbalances can cause the growth of sacs filled with fluid on your ovaries, known as ovarian cysts, which will hurt when pressed on as the follicle grows. Some natural remedies that can help regulate your hormones include:

• Maca powder: Add one tablespoon to hot tea or coffee to balance hormone levels and relieve bloating.
• Chaste berry: Take a dose of 30–40 mg per day to stabilize hormones and manage PMS symptoms.
• Black cohosh: Drink water from boiled roots to increase estrogen levels.
• Wild yam: Balance out your hormones with wild yam supplements.
• Evening primrose seeds: Chew on these seeds to reduce ovarian cysts.
• Cramp bark: Drinking water from this herb will reduce inflammation of ovarian cysts.
• Hormonal balance supplements: Natural supplements can provide quick relief from ovulation cramps.

Vitamin E can also help regulate your hormone levels, which will reduce ovulation cramps and also relieve period pain. It also has antioxidant properties that will fight toxins in your body and help to eliminate ovarian cysts.

Some foods and fruits that are rich in vitamin E include:

• Kiwi fruit: Eat it with the skin to get all of its nutrients.
• Avocado: Add it as a side to your meals or on a salad.
• Wheatgerm oil: Increase vitamin E in your diet by adding a teaspoon to smoothies.
• Sunflower seeds: Sprinkle over fruit or yogurt to benefit from their antioxidant power.
• Almonds: Increase vitamin E in your blood cells and prevent the build up of toxins.
• Sunflower oil: Take a teaspoon to reduce discomfort during ovulation.
• Pine nuts: Blend these raw nuts into your smoothies and fight off free radicals in your reproductive system.
• Peanuts: Eat them as a snack during the day.
• Raw red sweet pepper: Add it to a stir fry and benefit from its antioxidant power.
• Mangoes are packed with both vitamins A and E, which have antioxidant properties.
• Hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E and also reduce inflammation.
• Cashew nuts contain proanthocyanidins, which will prevent the growth of cysts in your ovaries and prevent the pain that can arise when cysts are squished by follicle growth.

Eating these foods will also help ease PMS symptoms and nourish your body.

Bust Bunny Hormonal Balance supplements are plant-based and made with herbs that will balance your hormones. It also contains vitamin E to help fight free radicals in the body.

“I’m really happy Bust Bunny developed this formula. Couldn’t help but notice all of their ingredients compared to other hormonal products.”

Verified Customer Review

Heat Is a Great Pain Therapy

Applying heat to your aching abdomen will help relieve the pain of ovulation cramps. That’s because heat reduces pain caused by muscle contractions which can arise as the fallopian tubes push the egg towards the uterus.

Here are some ways to lessen pain using heat:

• Drink hot water
• Apply a heating pad
• Place a hot water bottle on your abdomen
• Apply a heating wrap to your stomach
• Take a hot shower
• Use a warm towel compress on the area
• Take a hot bath

Take Herbs With Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Irritation to the abdominal cavity can also cause inflammation, which can result in discomfort during ovulation.

Herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties contain compounds that reduce aches and pains caused by inflammation.

Here are several herbs and oils that will ease inflammation pain:

• Basil: Add a handful of fresh leaves to hot water to ease ovulation pain.
• Turmeric: Add one inch of turmeric to smoothies to enhance the body’s ability to absorb curcumin, which helps with inflammation.
• Ginger: Add one teaspoon of ginger powder to tea to reduce the swelling and bloating you might feel during ovulation.
• Chamomile tea: Drink it to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Lemon myrtle: Massage this essential oil on the stomach to relieve pain.
• Olive oil: Take a teaspoon to lessen inflammation pain.
• Flaxseed oil: Take a teaspoon to benefit from phenolic compounds that can minimize pain.
• Black currant: Take it as a supplement to ease discomfort from an irritated abdominal cavity.
• Borage: Borage supplements can help with ovulation pain.
• Licorice: Drink water from its boiled roots to reduce swelling in the abdominal cavity.
• Red raspberry leaf: Drink the warm tea from its boiled leaves to manage ovulation cramps.
• Sesame seeds: Chew on these freshly boiled seeds to benefit from their anti-inflammatory effects.
• Asparagus root: Drink water from these boiled roots to minimize pain during ovulation.

Our Bust Bunny supplements contain herbs such as ginger and chamomile, which have anti-inflammatory properties, to ease discomfort experienced during ovulation.

“It’s helping with PMS symptoms such as bad cramping, helps with the night sweats, helps me sleep better through the night.”

Verified Customer Review

Essential oils are also effective in easing inflammation and pain. To manage ovulation cramps, massage therapeutic oils lightly into your stomach or add them to hot water to create an aromatic and therapeutic bath.

Some oils that can ease ovulation cramps include:

• Peppermint oil
• Lavender oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Rosemary oil
• Lemongrass oil
• Chamomile oil

Exercise to Manage Ovulation Pain

Light exercise can help relieve ovulation cramps because exercise causes a release of endorphins. An endorphin release after exercise will help reduce pain and improve your sense of wellbeing.

Here are some light exercises to engage in:

• Take a brisk walk for 20 minutes to improve blood flow and reduce the pain of ovulation cramps.
• Jog around the block to get an endorphin release.
• Swimming will take your mind off the discomfort.
• Yoga can stretch out your cramping muscles and ease your discomfort.
• Cycling will promote endurance, which will improve your pain tolerance during ovulation.

Eat Comfort Foods

Foods rich in minerals, like magnesium, zinc, and potassium, can aid in the fight against free radicals in your reproductive system. They’ll also help to reduce symptoms such as bloating and nausea that can accompany ovulation pain.

Some foods that can ease ovulation discomfort are described in the list below:

• Whole grains are rich in magnesium, which can aid in pain relief.
• Barley contains short-chain fatty acids that help ease discomfort from bloating.
• Chickpeas are high in magnesium which will help relax your muscles and nerves and ease cramping.
• Edamame (immature soybeans) are effective in reducing symptoms such as hot flashes and sweating which can accompany ovulation pain.
• Lentils and split peas promote digestive health, which will ease bloating.
• Pears are high in vitamin C and potassium. Both of these vitamins are powerful antioxidants that alleviate ovulation pain by fighting free radicals.
• Brussels sprouts are packed with vitamin C, which will help reduce inflammation.
• Chia seeds are loaded with antioxidants that relieve ovulation pain by killing bacteria in the reproductive system, which might worsen pain.
• Celery contains antioxidants that reduce ovulation pain caused by inflammation.
• Parsley improves blood flow, which eases discomfort from ovulation cramps.
• Alfalfa contains several antioxidants and nutrients, including vitamin K, folate, magnesium, and copper. These vitamins and minerals will lessen inflammation and also regulate your hormones, which will ease ovulation discomfort.
• Soy sprouts will improve digestion and reduce bloating.
• Green beans are high in calcium, which regulates muscle contractions. A calcium deficiency can be the cause of aches, cramps, and spasms during ovulation.
• Pumpkin seeds are packed with antioxidants and phosphorus that help in the repair of irritated cells in the abdominal cavity, which can cause ovulation cramps.

Some more foods that are packed with antioxidants and minerals to help you manage ovulation cramps include:

• Crushed flaxseeds
• Cucumbers
• Corn
• Apples
• Anise seeds
• Cabbage
• Beetroots
• Olives
• Papaya
• Oats
• Salmon
• Orange juice
• Canned sardines
• Milk
• Leafy greens

Foods to Avoid When Experiencing Ovulation Pain

• Salt leads to water retention, which makes you feel bloated.
• Sugar can cause further inflammation in the abdominal lining and intensify ovulation pain.
• Coffee can cause digestive issues and bloating, which may worsen ovulation discomfort.
• Alcohol can dehydrate you and also lead to digestive issues.
• Spicy foods can irritate your stomach and worsen symptoms such as bloating and nausea.

Ease Ovulation Cramps With Hormonal Balance Supplements

Hormonal balance supplements help to regulate your hormones and will also help relieve some symptoms associated with ovulation cramps, such as:

• Hot flashes
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Nausea

Our Bust Bunny Hormonal Balance supplement is made with natural ingredients, including maca root, ashwagandha, ginger root and black cohosh, which all have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Order the Bust Bunny Hormonal Balance supplement for quick relief from ovulation cramps.

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