Postmenopausal Ovary Pain and What It Could Mean

Post-menopausal women sometimes experience this form of discomfort as they age. It could point to several health conditions with important implications, from ovarian cysts to hormonal changes to ovarian torsion, and more. It can even be brought on by ovarian cancer.

When it comes to postmenopausal ovary pain, it’s vital to get down to the “why” of things; sometimes, it’s a problem that will pass, and other times, it’s an issue that needs treatment right away. So, this pain should never be dismissed or taken lightly.

Read on as we cover everything you need to know about aching ovaries in postmenopausal women.

Why Ovary Pain Can Occur After Menopause

As you enter menopause, your ovaries stop making both estrogen and progesterone – two hormones central to preparing for fertilization. They also stop releasing eggs, which is why your periods stop.

But just because you’ve stopped ovulating and menstruating, it doesn’t mean your ovaries have “shut down.” Nor are they immune to the many conditions that affect them.

The ovarian structures are susceptible to issues like:

Irritation;
Inflammation;
Cysts;
Additional chronic conditions.

The pain may range from dull to sharp and fleeting to unrelenting. No matter the pain’s characteristics, you need to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Common Causes of Postmenopausal Ovary Pain

There is no single reason why ovary pain happens post-menopause. Many different ovary-associated issues come up as a woman ages (an ovarian mass or scar tissue, for example). And several of them may come with some degree of pain or discomfort.

We’ll address the most common causes in the following sections.

Hormonal Changes and Their Impact

As your reproductive system changes and you hit menopause, your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels decrease significantly. Hormonal changes that occur around this time can result in the development of ovarian cysts that can cause pain if they eventually split.

While Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) caused by hormonal imbalances is usually diagnosed during reproductive years, some symptoms may continue into menopause. PCOS is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by a range of symptoms, in part due to a woman’s adrenal glands or ovaries making an excess of male hormones.

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts could very well be the cause of your ovarian pain. Studies suggest that 5% to 17% of postmenopausal women may develop ovarian cysts. And most of the time, these cysts aren’t cancerous.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid–filled sac that may appear on the surface of an ovary or inside it. What many don’t know is that most ovarian cysts don’t cause pain. But when they break open, you may feel lower abdominal or pelvic pain, usually (but not always) on one side.

The pain associated with ovarian cysts will feel different for every individual. Some say it’s sharp and short-lived and others perceive it as dull and near-constant.

Ovarian Cysts

Although cysts of the ovary can be symptom-free, these are some of the most common symptoms women experience:

An achiness in your back;
Having to urinate more than usual;
Increase in bathroom urgency, particularly with urination;
Pain while engaging in intercourse.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis isn’t often found in the post menopausal age group, but it does sometimes happen especially for those going through hormone replacement therapy.

This is a disorder in which tissue cells similar to the uterine lining begin to grow outside of the uterus (where they shouldn’t be). Given the tissue’s composition, it eventually thickens, breaks down, and then bleeds. But since the tissue isn’t in the right place, the blood can’t escape and begins to accumulate and cause problems.

Pain is a hallmark symptom of endometriosis; it may be felt in the pelvic area during bowel movements, urination, or intercourse.

Pelvic Adhesions

Pelvic adhesions, also called scar tissue, are bands of tissue that make the organs of the pelvis stick together. This can happen with pelvic infections, inflammation, and surgeries.

When you’re dealing with an issue like this, you may suffer pains of various levels of severity; they may also be intermittent or constant. This is because these adhesions cause tension and pulling between organs.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the reproductive organs. Although reproductive-aged women have an increased risk of this illness, it’s not unheard of in the post-menopausal group.

When an infection settles in your ovaries, you’ll feel pain there – sometimes the pain can be debilitating. It is often linked to medical intervention or some underlying health issue.

Signs of Potentially Serious Conditions

So, when is ovary pain dangerous?

Ovarian pain can sometimes point to a serious condition like pelvic inflammatory disease or ovarian cancer. While these results are often benign and are potentially caused from cysts or pelvic adhesion, the pain is an important signal to evaluate.

The below symptoms are sometimes indicative of more dangerous conditions:

Sudden onset pain in your lower belly;
Nausea and vomiting;
Loss of appetite;
Feeling full after eating a light meal;
Weight loss

Just because you aren’t experiencing these symptoms doesn’t mean that you don’t have a potentially serious condition.

Note on associated morbidity: Postmenopausal women who have at least one ovarian cyst need to be even more diligent in pinpointing the cause of the pain. While age is a risk factor and older women with an ovarian mass have an increased malignancy risk (meaning a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer) a significant number are also non-cancerous. And if you do have this form of cancer, or any other cancer type, you’ll want to catch it early in the disease process, rather than later.

When to Seek Medical Evaluation

If your ovaries hurt, it’s important to look into things. This applies even if the ovary pain is mild or isn’t substantially affecting your life.

Why? Because ovary pain is a symptom of many conditions, both serious and benign. And the only way to know which condition is to blame is to get a medical evaluation.

If you’re experiencing life-threatening symptoms, go to the emergency department to see an emergency physician.

Diagnostic Tests and What to Expect

Anyone considering seeing a professional about ovary pain might feel a little lost. What should you expect?

Everyone provider does things a little bit differently, but here’s how it typically goes:

Your chosen healthcare professional will talk to you about the pain and any related issues that could help them narrow down the potential issue. They’ll request information about the pain’s duration and severity. They also might ask you to describe the pain in your own words and point to where it hurts. Your sexual history, as well as your general health history, will also be helpful here.
Once they have the information they need, they’ll perform a physical examination and some diagnostic testing. Depending on the details surrounding your pain, you’ll have a urinalysis and/or diagnostic imaging tests like a transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound. You may also need a pelvic exam, blood test, or other tests to enable your provider to make a differential diagnosis. A missed diagnosis can have steep health consequences.
Your results will inform your treatment, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Treatment Options for Ovary Pain

Over time, researchers, scientists, and gynecology experts have developed various strategies tailored to specific causes of ovarian pain. And your ideal treatment will depend on the disease causing your pain.

Here are some common treatment options for pain-causing ovarian conditions:

For ovarian cysts: Surgical treatment to remove the cyst(s) if needed – may be done with a laparoscope.
For endometriosis: Over-the-counter or prescription medications for pain management or laparoscopic surgery to remove the endometriosis. Remember that experts have seen a lower prevalence of this condition in postmenopausal women.
For pelvic adhesions: Pain-relieving medication and pelvic floor physical therapy may improve symptoms. But in some cases, getting them removed is the only option; this is usually done via surgery. Unfortunately, the trauma associated with the surgical removal of these adhesions can lead to more scar tissue, so further follow up may be needed post-surgery.
For ovarian torsion: You’ll need to see a surgeon to have the ovary untwisted. Since ovarian torsion is often the result of ovarian growths, any growths may also be removed. In the worst cases, the surgeon may need to remove the entire ovary.

Only a healthcare professional can determine the right treatment plan after they ran all the diagnostic tests needed for the purpose.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Help Manage Pain

According to various studies, getting more active can make it easier to manage pain from ovarian cysts.

Here are a few other lifestyle adjustments that can help with ovarian pain:

Taking up yoga, which has been found to reduce various chronic pain conditions.
Altering your diet to include healthier foods and exercising regularly. Even the perception of pain can be diminished by dietary changes. Plus, losing just 5% of your total body weight can improve PCOS symptoms.
Learning relaxation breathing techniques and mindfulness and using them as needed to reduce your pain’s intensity.

Preventive Health Tips for Postmenopausal Women

If you want to prevent ovarian pain in your postmenopausal years, there are several things you can do.

First, keep up with your yearly gynecological exams, even after you’ve hit menopause.

Then, try and maintain a healthy weight, as obesity is associated with the development of these types of issues.

Last but not least – do what you can to manage stress and anxiety and care for your overall well-being. According to a 2024 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine, psychological stress impacts pelvic issues like PCOS. More research is needed.

While medical evaluation is essential for any ongoing or severe ovary pain, it’s also important to support your body in maintaining balance—especially during postmenopause, when your detox pathways and hormone metabolism can become less efficient. Your liver plays a vital role in breaking down and eliminating excess hormones, inflammatory byproducts, and environmental toxins that may contribute to discomfort or hormonal imbalances.

That’s why supporting liver function through targeted supplementation can be a smart step toward better postmenopausal health and symptom relief.

To further support your liver and assist your natural detox pathways, you should consider herbal supplementation. We partnered with environmental toxin specialists and supplement formulators to create the best formula on the market that supports your liver and kidneys detox organs in a safe way – it’s called Restore Detox.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if pain is from my ovary?

You could be experiencing ovarian pain if you feel it under your belly button, in your pelvic area, or in your lower back. Just know that there are other organs in these same areas (your intestines, bladder, and uterus, for instance). So, the pain you’re feeling could actually be coming from an organ other than your ovaries.

Can ovaries restart after menopause?

Research notes differences. A British Journal of Hospital Medicine case report highlights the idea that ovaries can be “restarted” after menopause. The chances of this happening are higher if follicular exhaustion hasn’t yet happened. Other sources state that ovaries cannot restart after menopause and that any bleeding occurring afterward is the result of a medical issue – not true menstruation. It is vital to note that any postmenopausal bleeding should be promptly evaluated by a physician.

What is phantom ovary pain?

Phantom ovary pain happens in some individuals after they have had their ovaries surgically removed (either one or both ovaries). This is potentially caused by remnants of ovarian tissue or is nerve related. This type of pain can occur after ovary removal, regardless of whether the individual is pre- or post-menopausal. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider for evaluation, management, and support.

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Postmenopausal Ovary Pain and What It Could Mean

Home Blog Health Organs & Systems Reproductive System Postmenopausal Ovary Pain and What It Could Mean

Why Ovary Pain Can Occur After Menopause