# Are ovaries as impact-sensitive as testicles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 19, 2019, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646 "2019-11-19T12:56:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/1 "2019-11-19T12:56:46Z")
inspired by [this thread,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=885550) in which the sensitivity of non-human testicles to impact is discussed. In stark contrast to a man’s testicles, a woman’s ovaries are well protected deep inside the abdomen. However, AIUI testes and ovaries share a common anatomical origin, arising from the same cluster of ungendered cells during gestation. Does this mean that ovaries have a similar sensitivity to impact? This may be difficult to assess owing to the better protection offered by the ovaries having been sited deep in the abdomen, so let’s try this question instead: Is a woman sensitive to abdominal impacts in a way/degree that a man isn’t, and if so, can that be attributed the ovaries? Do women who have had their ovaries surgically removed find that they have reduced sensitivity to abdominal impact? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/2 "2019-11-19T13:27:26Z")
I was at a farm where cows were being artificially inseminated. So as not to waste a drop, cows were examined rectally to determine if they were at their ideal stage of estrus for insemination to be worthwhile. The inseminator (a veterinarian in this case) was explaining to us what he was doing during a rectal exam. So, with his gloved/sleeved hand/arm inside Bessie’s colon, he gently palpated her ovaries, feeling for evidence of recent or incipient ovulation. The farmer asked how sensitive the ovaries were. The inseminator said he was taught to have one hand on the cow’s ovary and the other hand on his own testicle, and to never do to the ovary what he’d not do to his own testicle. Maybe you had to be there, I don’t know.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/3 "2019-11-19T14:46:30Z")
Part of doing a routine medical pelvic exam is palpating the ovaries for abnormalities. This can be very uncomfortable for a lot of women. So yes, the ovaries are sensitive. And the ovaries are in the pelvis, not the abdomen. Neither area is particular receptive to blunt trauma, whether gonads are present or not. The pelvic and abdominal anatomy contain lots of visceral nerves, which are highly sensitive to being stretched. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/4 "2019-11-19T14:50:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I was at a farm where cows were being artificially inseminated. So as not to waste a drop, cows were examined rectally to determine if they were at their ideal stage of estrus for insemination to be worthwhile. The inseminator (a veterinarian in this case) was explaining to us what he was doing during a rectal exam. > > So, with his gloved/sleeved hand/arm inside Bessie’s colon, he gently palpated her ovaries, feeling for evidence of recent or incipient ovulation. The farmer asked how sensitive the ovaries were. The inseminator said he was taught to have one hand on the cow’s ovary and the other hand on his own testicle, and to never do to the ovary what he’d not do to his own testicle. This is informative, thanks. Out of curiosity, what does a periovulatory ovary feel like? Is it about the particular ovulating follicle standing out somehow, or does the entire ovary undergo some sort of palpable change? Is the same technique possible on human females for assessing ovulation, or is the internal anatomy of a woman different enough from that of a cow to make this impossible? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/5 "2019-11-19T14:58:42Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Out of curiosity, what does a periovulatory ovary feel like? Is it about the particular ovulating follicle standing out somehow, or does the entire ovary undergo some sort of palpable change? I was there just as a guest, my hands were in my pockets. From [here:](http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/jjp1/ansci_repro/lab/lab4_09/palpation_proc.html) > [@](#): > > The ovaries are palpated to detect the presence and size or degree of developments of follicles and corpora lutea. The ovary, when picked up under the edge of the broad ligament is turned up and backward on the top of the broad ligament for examination. It is held in a transverse position with the free edge of the ovary toward the examiner and the resovarial edge away from the examiner. The attached end of the ovary (end to which the bursa is attached) is lateral. I particularly liked: > [@](#): > > Some describe the cervix as feeling like a turkey neck. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/6 "2019-11-19T18:07:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Some describe the cervix as feeling like a turkey neck. Great. Now I have that image in my head. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/7 "2019-11-19T23:18:44Z")
My answer is that ovary sensitivity can vary from person to person, but in my experience, very sensitive. I always knew when I ovulated. I could feel it. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/8 "2019-11-20T17:14:36Z")
I look at is the other way. They are internal organs we just happen to wear on the outside. Many internal organs are pretty sensitive to that kind of deep visceral pain I associate with a hit to the nuts. Correct me if I’m wrong but a torn spleen, bruised liver or a punch to the kidney doesn’t seem like a whole lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/9 "2019-11-20T18:25:35Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > My answer is that ovary sensitivity can vary from person to person, but in my experience, very sensitive. I always knew when I ovulated. I could feel it. I didn’t feel it every month I always assumed that’s when it happened while I was asleep. Did it used to wake you up, istr that did happen to me a couple of times. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/10 "2019-11-20T18:31:25Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > I didn’t feel it every month I always assumed that’s when it happened while I was asleep. Did it used to wake you up, istr that did happen to me a couple of times. It’s that sudden an event, i.e. you’re actually feeling it when the follicle ruptures? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/11 "2019-11-20T20:19:27Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > It’s that sudden an event, i.e. you’re actually feeling it when the follicle ruptures? Yes, it’s a bit like someone just poked you with a finger when you weren’t expecting it, but deep inside. The feeling doesn’t last long and it wasn’t always painful. I should explain that I suffered PCOS (despite being regular as clockwork), which might have something to do with why I felt what many others didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2019, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/12 "2019-11-24T01:53:13Z")
[mitteleschmerz](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mittelschmerz/symptoms-causes/syc-20375122) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/13 "2019-11-24T02:31:12Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I look at is the other way. They are internal organs we just happen to wear on the outside. Many internal organs are pretty sensitive to that kind of deep visceral pain I associate with a hit to the nuts. Correct me if I’m wrong but a torn spleen, bruised liver or a punch to the kidney doesn’t seem like a whole lot of fun. Yeah, maybe a doctor can check in, but in my experience it’s not just testicles that are hideously sensitive to impact but any of the major organs. They’re important. They want you to KNOW when they’re being damaged. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/14 "2019-11-25T21:15:07Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > [mitteleschmerz](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mittelschmerz/symptoms-causes/syc-20375122) Bingo. Thank you, Cub Mistress. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ovaries-as-impact-sensitive-as-testicles/843646/15 "2019-11-26T00:04:45Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > My answer is that ovary sensitivity can vary from person to person, but in my experience, very sensitive. I always knew when I ovulated. I could feel it. I sometimes could too. I also heard that it’s not so much the ovarian blister rupturing when the egg is released, as the tiny amount of bleeding irritating the surrounding tissues. It’s not uncommon for women with undiagnosed ovarian cysts to go to the ER because they think they have appendicitis, and some women on fertility drugs get very painful ovaries if they are hyperstimulated (i.e. producing multiple eggs) so unless she is selling her eggs, they are advised to not try and conceive this cycle because they could end up with way too many babies.