Lower Abdominal Pain in Women

Lower Abdominal Pain in Women
Every woman experiences lower abdominal pain at some point in their lives. In order to lessen the pain,a patient should know the type of pain,its symptoms, and the underlying cause of the pain. This way affected women can ease the pain and know how to remain healthy. Some of the common causes for lower abdominal pain in women are periods, and urinary disorders like kidney or bladder infection. Improper functioning of the reproductive system such as ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus also result in stomach pain. A doctor should know all the details about the pain so that he/she can diagnose the cause accurately; which is not very easy. After diagnosing the cause the medical expert will be able to prescribe the correct treatment.

Usually there are two types of pain, gradual pain and sudden pain. In gradual pain, the pain starts slowly, aggravates and becomes severe, and then gradually becomes less. Such pain is experienced by women when suffering from gastroenteritis, renal colic or functional bowel syndrome. In sudden pain, unexpected intense pain occurs in the lower portion of the abdomen. Such pain occurs due to many reasons for which signs and symptoms have to be studied.

Causes of lower abdominal pain in women

The varied causes of lower abdominal pain in women due to the disorders in the urinary systemare as follows:

• Infections in kidney like pyelonephritis can result in high fever and severe lower abdominal pain.


• Another cause for pain in stomach is kidney stones. This pain further spreads to other parts of the body.A doctor should be consulted right away if burning sensationsare felt while urinating and which is accompanied by back pain. Some other symptoms like constant feeling of vomiting may also occur.

The different causes of lower abdominal pain in women due to the disorders of the reproductive organs are as follows:

• In ectopic pregnancy fertilized eggs get implanted outside the uterus. This results in lower abdominal pain and also vaginal bleeding.


• Womb stones also known as fibroids are abnormal growth in the uterus. When womb stones or fibroid occurs, they cause pain in lower abdomen. Some other symptoms a woman may experience when suffering from fibroids are irregular or excess bleeding during menstruation.


• One common cause for lower abdominal pain is ‘endometriosis.’It is a disease where the cells of endometrium develop on the exterior portion of the uterine cavity and pain caused due to this increases during periods.


• A cyst in the ovaries is a fluid filled bag which can be treated with medicines and surgeries. This also causes pain in lower abdomen.


• Bacterial infections of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus also lead to lower abdominal pain in women and vaginal discharge.

Some other causes of lower abdominal pain in womeninclude:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm:This condition occurs when the abdominal aorta bursts and starts to leak because of some medical complications. The abdominal aorta is the blood vessel that carries blood to the abdomen from heart.The condition results in severe abdominal pain in the middle portion which later shifts to the lower abdomen and then to the back. Normally, it is treated via surgery.


• Cancer: Cancerous growth of tissues in the bellyleads to pain in lower abdomen in women. Some of the symptoms are loss of appetite and weight, constipation, and feeling of sickness. In such a case doctor should be consulted at the earliest.


• Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticula results in diverticulitis. Diverticula arefound on the exterior of the colon. Usually elderly women over sixty years of age suffer from diverticulitis which causes lower abdominal pain.


• Constipation:Constipation, whether severe or not, gives rise to pain in the lower portion of the abdomen. This pain starts after defecation. Walking and drinking plenty of water can helpstimulate the passing of stool. But if it does not work then medical expert should be consulted immediately. Some accompanying symptoms are bloating and swelling.


• Diarrhea: Diarrhea is also one of the causes for lower abdominal pain in women. As with constipation, pain associated with diarrhea is temporary; it comes and goes quickly.


• Many women suffer from irritable bowel syndrome which also causes back pain and lower abdominal pain.

Treatment for lower abdominal pain in women

Women must consult a doctor whenever they experience prolonged instances of lower abdominal pain. The physician may do the following:

• He/she will want all details about the pain, other information related to menstruations, bowel habits, and also details about accompanying symptoms like nauseated feeling, vomiting, or fever.


• If necessary, the doctor may also require details about the patient’s family history, personaland professional life, and her intimate relations.


• After collecting all the details, the doctor will check and tests will be conducted internally and externally. Usually, a urine test will also be taken to check for infection. In some cases doctors may check some vaginal swabs too. Occasionally, a specialist has to be consulted for ultrasound of the abdomen.


• Once the tests come the doctor will advise further tests if needed, else prescribe the correct treatment.