Ovarian pain can manifest as discomfort in the lower extremities, groin, or lower back. This occurs because the body’s nervous system sometimes misinterprets internal pain signals. The nerves supplying the reproductive organs share pathways with the nerves that supply the legs, creating this connection.
Understanding Referred Pain Pathways
Pain felt in a location different from its source is called referred pain, which is rooted in shared neurological wiring. Ovarian pain signals travel along visceral sensory nerves originating near the T10-T12 spinal cord segments in the abdomen. These segments are part of the sympathetic nervous system, which governs internal organs.
These visceral nerves enter the spinal cord at the same levels as somatic sensory nerves, which carry signals from the skin, muscles, and joints of the lower back and legs. The brain receives a flood of signals at this shared spinal level and struggles to differentiate the source. Because the brain is more accustomed to interpreting signals from the skin and muscles, it often attributes the internal ovarian pain to somatic areas like the hip, lower back, or thigh.
Specific nerves near the ovaries that contribute to referred pain form the lumbosacral plexus. For example, the obturator nerve (L2-L4) innervates the inner thigh. If an ovarian mass or inflammation irritates structures near these nerve roots, pain can be felt along the obturator nerve’s distribution in the leg. Irritation of the sacral nerve roots, which contribute to the sciatic nerve (L4-S3), can cause pain that mimics sciatica, running down the back of the leg.
Ovarian Conditions That Cause Leg Discomfort
Several specific ovarian and pelvic issues can trigger referred leg pain. These conditions cause discomfort by stretching the ovarian capsule, creating inflammation, or directly compressing adjacent nerves in the pelvis.
An enlarged ovarian cyst is a frequent cause of referred discomfort. As the cyst grows, it can pressure the pelvic side wall or nerves, leading to a deep, aching pain that radiates down the leg on the same side. If a cyst ruptures, the sudden release of fluid and blood causes intense inflammation that irritates the pelvic nerve network, resulting in severe lower back and leg symptoms.
Ovarian torsion, where the ovary twists around its supporting ligaments, causes acute, severe pain often spreading to the thigh and lower back. The twisting cuts off the blood supply, leading to rapid tissue death and intense nerve signaling. This sharp pain radiates because the sudden, overwhelming visceral signal is interpreted broadly across sensory nerve pathways.
Endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can also cause leg pain. Implants can attach to and inflame the uterosacral ligaments or pelvic side walls, where major nerves are located. In rare cases, these growths can compress nerves of the lumbosacral plexus, such as the sciatic or obturator nerves, causing cyclic or persistent neuropathic pain, sometimes described as burning or tingling, in the leg. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) involving the ovaries can also cause inflammation and abscesses that irritate surrounding structures, leading to discomfort radiating into the lower back and legs.
Recognizing Serious Symptoms and When to Seek Help
While mild, intermittent leg discomfort may be non-emergency, certain symptoms indicate a need for immediate medical attention. A sudden onset of severe, sharp, or stabbing pain that does not subside may signal an acute event like ovarian torsion or a ruptured cyst. These conditions can compromise ovarian function or cause internal bleeding, requiring urgent intervention.
Pain accompanied by systemic symptoms, such as fever, chills, dizziness, or fainting, should be evaluated immediately by a healthcare provider. Nausea and vomiting can also be a symptom of ovarian torsion due to intense nerve stimulation. Any unexplained, persistent leg pain, especially if it is unilateral (only on one side) and chronic, warrants a thorough investigation to rule out underlying gynecological issues. Always discuss new or worsening pelvic or leg pain promptly with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.