Pain in the lower abdomen, also known as pain in the lower abdomen or lower abdomen, can have many causes. Pain in the lower abdomen, depending on whether it is felt on the right or on the left side, may indicate various diseases of the digestive, urinary and sexual systems. Check what the pain in the lower abdomen shows.

Pain in the lower abdomenindicates ailments localizedin the lower abdomen .pain in the lower abdomenis most often reported by women, as it usually comes from the reproductive organs (cervix, uterus, appendages), although it also happens in men.

Determining the most likely cause of pain in the lower abdomenhelps to determine the nature of the pain (e.g. stabbing pain in the lower abdomen), its intensity, location (e.g. pain on the right or left side of the lower abdomen) , as well as its relationship with the menstrual cycle (e.g. pain in the lower abdomen after ovulation or before the period).

Pain in the lower abdomen associated with the menstrual cycle

Many gynecological ailments cause periodic pains, ie always occurring in the same phase of the menstrual cycle. In general, the most common causes of pain in the lower abdomen of gynecological origin include:

  • painful menstruation- manifests itself with sharp or cramping pain at the beginning of menstruation or a few days before its onset. It is often accompanied by headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea or frequent urination. These ailments usually peak within a day, but sometimes persist for 2-3 days after the onset of menstruation
  • endometriosis(endometriosis) - manifested by acute or cramping pain before or early in the period, often in combination with painful periods, pain during intercourse or painful bowel movements .

The endometriosis, which can lead to pain unrelated to the menstrual cycle, also needs to be discussed, and in advanced stages it is sometimes associated with uterine overturning, tenderness and reduced mobility.

Sometimes there is a lump in the pelvis (presumably an endometrioma - a neoplastic tumor) or tender nodules palpable on ambidextrous vaginal examination.

  • intermenstrual pain- this is a sudden, sharp pain, most intense at the beginningmenstruation and subsides within 1-2 days. Intermenstrual pain is often associated with slight vaginal staining
  • ovulatory pain , i.e. the one that occurs in the middle of the cycle (during ovulation), is caused by a slight and short-term irritation of the peritoneum in the process of rupturing the Graaf's follicle

Pain in the lower abdomen not related to the menstrual cycle

  • Inflammation of the pelvismanifests itself with gradually increasing pain in the pelvis, mucopurulent discharge from the cervix, and sometimes fever, painful urination and dyspareunia, i.e. pain during intercourse. Significant pressure tenderness with the movements of the neck and tenderness of the appendages are also typical. Rarely, a tumor of the appendages (abscess) is palpable.
  • A rupture of an ovarian cystis manifested by a sudden onset of pain, strongest at first and then abating rapidly within a few hours. Cyst rupture is sometimes associated with slight vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting and peritoneal symptoms (e.g. Blumberg's symptom, abdominal stiffness, muscle defense).
  • Naruptured ectopic pregnancyindicate sudden localized pain (not of a systolic nature), often associated with vaginal bleeding, and sometimes with fainting and hemorrhagic shock. Characteristic symptoms are also a closed opening of the cervix, sometimes severe abdominal distension or a pressure-sensitive tumor of the appendages.
  • Acute degeneration of uterine fibroidsis characterized by sudden vaginal pain and bleeding. This ailment usually appears in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, after giving birth or after termination of pregnancy.
  • Appendicular torsionmanifests itself suddenly with severe pain on one side, sometimes of a colic nature (when the twist occurs intermittently). This pain is often associated with nausea, vomiting, peritoneal symptoms and cervical tenderness. Risk factors for adnexal torsion are, for example, pregnancy, ovulation induction, ovarian enlargement to>4 cm.
  • Naendometrial cancerorovarian cancerindicate gradually increasing pain, vaginal discharge (preceding bleeding), pathological vaginal bleeding ( e.g. postmenopausal bleeding, recurrent premenopausal uterine haemorrhage). Rarely, a lump in the pelvis is felt.
  • Adhesionsis characterized by progressively increasing pelvic pain (often progressing to chronic) or pain during intercourse in patients who have undergone abdominal surgery (and sometimes pelvic infection). In this type of condition, nothere is bleeding and vaginal discharge. However, nausea and vomiting (suggesting an intestinal obstruction) may appear.
  • Spontaneous miscarriageis manifested by vaginal bleeding associated with cramping pain in the lower abdomen or back pain in a woman in early pregnancy. This state is also accompanied, inter alia, by breast tenderness, nausea and delayed periods.

Pain in the lower abdomen - digestive system disorders

Pain in the lower abdomen on the right sidemay indicate appendicitis, the additional symptoms of which are also nausea, then anorexia, fever. Pain in the lower abdomen may also be a consequence of such diseases as: irritable bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, diverticulitis, neoplasms, constipation, intestinal obstruction, perianal abscess, irritable bowel syndrome. Then a group of symptoms is characteristic, which include abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea), often with an admixture of blood.

Pain in the lower abdomen - disorders of the urinary system

Pain in the lower abdomen, associated with frequent urination, sudden urge to urinate or pain while urinating, usually indicates diseases of the urinary tract, e.g. cystitis, interstitial cystitis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, renal colic.

In the case of men, it can also be problems with the prostate, e.g. prostatitis, in the course of which there is a vague migrating pain (it is also felt in the scrotum, and even around the anus)

Pain in the lower abdomen - diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Pain in the lower abdomen may indicate a gap in the symphysis pubis, caused by previous vaginal births or a strain on the abdominal muscles.

Pain in the lower abdomen on the psychogenic background

Pain in the lower abdomen may also be the result of somatization, i.e. the somatic projection of mental disorders that may be a consequence of previously experienced physical, psychological or sexual abuse.

Read also:

  • Abdominal pain - causes
  • Epigastric pain - causes. What does the pain in the upper abdomen mean?
  • Abdominal pain on the left side. What are the causes of left-sided abdominal pain?
  • Abdominal pain on the right side. What causes right abdominal pain?
  • Pain in the navel area: causes. Pain in the area of ​​the navel can be a symptom of what diseases?
  • Stabbing pain in the abdomen - stabbing in the abdomenmay be a symptom of illness
Important

Alarming symptoms which are an indication for an immediate medical visit

  • fainting or hemorrhagic shock (increased heart rate, lower blood pressure)
  • peritoneal symptoms
  • postmenstrual vaginal bleeding
  • fever or chills
  • sudden severe pain with nausea, vomiting, heavy sweating or agitation

References:The Merck manual. Clinical Symptoms: A Practical Guide to Diagnostics and Therapy , pp. ed. Porter R., Kaplan J., Homeier B., Wrocław 2010

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