Have you ever caught yourself wondering, why do my ovaries hurt when I cough? If yes, it's time to consult a doctor as there may be multiple underlying causes, as described below.

Causes and Tips for Pain in Ovaries When Coughing

1. Cysts in ovary

Ovarian cysts are quite common and usually pose no serious risks. The cysts are basically sac-like structures filled with fluid and present on the ovaries. As long as the cysts are small in size, they develop and vanish on their own. The problem arises when they grow bigger in size. Mainly because they have the chance of rupturing and making the condition worse. This leads to serious symptoms like pain while coughing, irregular breathing, sharp pain, vomiting, fever, and weakness.

• Treatment

If any of these indications occur, one should immediately visit a doctor and get a checkup done as soon as possible.

2. Post-surgery on ovaries

If there has been any fresh surgery on the ovaries, like, removal of ovaries, one is likely to develop a lower abdomen pain when coughing. It is called Ovarian Remnant Syndrome. The reason for the pain is that sometimes tissues are left behind in the body even after the operation. This may happen due to multiple factors. While the symptoms linger for a few years, one might experience pain during sexual intercourse or passing urine.

• Treatment

A proper treatment requires surgery to remove the tissue. Hormonal therapy can also be started after diagnosing it with an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.

3. Inflammation in pelvic areas

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, also called PID, is an infection of the female reproductive organs through bacteria that is spread sexually. Usually, there are no serious troubles except a stinging pain in lower abdomen when coughing, nausea, and fever. However, on rare occasions, it may lead to infertility, blood infection, ectopic pregnancy, or sepsis.

• Treatment

Treating this infection may require a pelvic exam, urine tests, and ultrasound. Your doctor may also suggest some blood tests or a laparoscopy.

4. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an abnormal cell growth of the endometrium layer and spreads outside the uterus. Normally, it should stay within the uterus. But in this case, the cells may reach up to ovaries, bladder, and rectum causing severe cramps and pain in the pelvic areas when there is a coughing. Other symptoms are painful sex, heavy bleeding in menstruation, and also bloating in the stomach. As a result, there is a feeling of fatigue, nausea, and disturbed digestion.

• Treatment

The specialist can diagnose this problem with the help of an ultrasound, MRI, or a laparoscopy.

5. Ectopic pregnancy

The fertilized egg is supposed to grow inside the uterus, yet, this may not always be the case. Sometimes, a fertilized egg may reach up to the fallopian tubes or ovaries and begins to grow there. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and is one of the major causes of pain in the ovaries while coughing. Women hardly have any idea about it until the egg ruptures and result in intense bleeding and pain in the back, abdomen, and pelvic areas.

• Treatment

Diagnosis and treatment are possible only by checking the hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) repeatedly to confirm the situation. hCG is a hormone released by the placenta after it attaches to the uterus. Abdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds and blood tests also need to be done.

6. Round ligament pain

Round ligament pain occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy. It is quite normal and is nothing to worry about. What happens is, when the baby grows bigger in the second trimester, the muscles of the uterus connecting to the groin area start stretching and getting thicker. All this happens to allow more space for the baby to grow. This may cause pain in the lower abdomen, especially, while coughing, laughing, or sneezing.

• Treatment

Usually, no treatment is necessary as it goes away on its own. But, if the pain is unbearable, it is better to reach out for some help.

7. Infection in bladder

Both the reproductive and excretory organs are very close to each other in females. So, if there has been an infection in the urinary bladder, the UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) may rapidly spread to the reproductive organs as well. In worst case scenarios, the kidneys may also get affected. It is caused by bacteria and the related symptoms are the pain in the lower abdomen while coughing, burning pain during urinating, and frequent urination.

• Treatment

Usually, it can be diagnosed with a urine sample and treated with proper antibiotics, such as Ceftriaxone (Rocephin), Cephalexin (Keflex), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Fosfomycin (Monurol), and Levofloxacin (Levaquin).

8. Appendicitis

The appendix is attached to the colon. Any kind of infection (bacterial) causes a swelling and blockage of the appendix. An infection affects the walls and results in painful inflammation. This condition needs immediate attention without which pus cells can form and may pose a risk to life. Symptoms include pain in the pelvic region when you a cough, constipation, low appetite, consistent fever, chills, and vomiting.

• Treatment

Based on these, the doctor may use a lubricant and examine the lower rectum manually. After the confirmation of the problem, the appendix is removed through surgery.

9. Bowel congestion

When there is a blockage of either the small or big intestine, the digestion and flow of digested food are restricted. The intestine may become blocked fully or partially, causing pain in the lower abdomen when coughing, along with constipation, nausea, bloating, difficulty in passing gas or stool, and vomiting. Bowel congestion happens for many reasons. These may be inflammation in the intestine, inactive bowel muscles, tumor, or an infection.

• Treatment

CT scan, ultrasound, or X-ray will help diagnose the problem. And it can be treated by surgery and making changes in diet like consuming foods low in fibers, having more fluids, such as soups, juices, and teas, and following a low-residue diet.

Key Points

The answer to "why do my ovaries hurt when I cough" involves an ample number of causes. Diagnose the right cause. Getting a checkup in the early stage and using the proper treatment is necessary to avoid any serious health issues.