Why do I get pain and heavy discharge after a period?

Five days after my period, I get strong pain in the stomach followed by heavy vaginal discharge. I have gone to a doctor who says this discharge is normal. Why do I get this pain and what can I do to get relief?  Assumpta 

Dear Assumpta,
Mid cycle abdominal pain, most common in women below 30 years of age that usually coincides with ovulation is likely to be the so called Mittelschmerz pain. 

This pain, which is usually on one side but in the lower abdomen, may be mild or severe (causing some women to faint) lasting a few hours or even two days. At the same time, around ovulation, a woman may produce copious amounts of slippery fluids that may wet her undergarments.

Mittelschmerz pain is not harmful and does not signify the presence of disease. Therefore, no treatment is usually necessary. However, a hot water bottle can be used over the skin where the pain is concentrated. Also, you can use over the counter pain medication.

You also need to visit a doctor, preferably a gynaecologist, for treatment and ruling out other causes of lower abdominal pain, including appendicitis.