A 20 year old woman gives a history of sharp pain in the lower abdomen for 2-3 days every month approximately 2 weeks before the menses. The most probable etiology for her pain is:: (A) Endometriosis, (B) Dysmenorrhea, (C) Pelvic tuberculosis, (D) Mittelschmerz
Answer is D. Midcycle pain or Ovulation pain is called Mittelschmerz . This is because of the blood, fluid and cellular debris which comes out of the ruptured ovarian follicle trickles to the pelvis and causes a mild peritoneal irritation and pain, often limited to that side of ovulation.