Abdominal Pain

About Abdominal Pain in Women Causes, Complications and Treatment

June 08, 2022

Overview

Stomach cramp or abdominal pain may characterize discomfort or pain between your ribs and pelvic area. The common causes of abdominal pain are gas, bloating, diarrhea, ingestion, and muscle strain. But females may suffer from abdominal pain due to gynecological problems. You experience pain that may be mild to severe and can come and go at the time or lasts for hours, days or months.

Causes of Abdominal Pain in Women:

Pain that manifests in abdominal pain in women, the symptoms may be different and vary from woman to woman. It includes a
mild irritation to severe pain that makes it difficult to manage everyday responsibilities.
The abdominal pain may be:

A dull ache
Intense or constant
A sharp, cramping sensation
Intermittent (on-and-off)

The pain in the lower abdomen may also feel like pressure, fullness, or heaviness. In severe abdominal pain, the symptoms may worsen during urination or bowel movements, intercourse, or long periods of standing or sitting. If you experience persistent pain, you must seek medical attention. Constant pain is a sign of a chronic underlying gynecological problem, and it should not overlook. The cause of abdominal pain can diagnose by its characteristics, physical examination, and testing. In some cases, surgery may require for diagnosis.

However, treatment depends on the patient's history of diseases and health conditions that cause pain. Below, we discuss some of the primary conditions that can cause abdominal pain in women.

Menstrual Cramps

The reproductive-age women may experience menstrual cramps every month, also called dysmenorrhea. You can feel cramping in the lower abdomen and pain in the thighs and lower back. The pain may come with headaches, nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness.

The prostaglandin hormones can cause these cramps. They cause the uterus to contract so it can expel its contents. Prostaglandins can also irritate the stomach and rectum, causing them to contract, which can cause pain, gas, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation.

Mild cramping pain can treat by taking the following measures:

using over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or Midol
use home remedies like hot showers and baths
placing heating pads on the abdomen and lower back

If pain is severe, you might have a related condition, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

PCOS is a hormonal disorder, and many reproductive-age women suffer from this condition. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels.

These high levels of androgens can cause unwanted hair growth, weight gain, acne, or fatigue. If you are experiencing these symptoms, your pain is due to PCOS. Visit your doctor for diagnosis, which typically includes measuring hormone levels and a pelvic ultrasound.

Ovulation

Some reproductive-age women experience pain during ovulation every month. A process in which the ovary releases an egg every month. You may experience sudden sharp localized pain that comes and go. Or it can be more severe and last for several hours. Many women feel it on one side of the lower abdomen. Since only one ovary releases an egg each month, the pain occurs on the side of the egg-releasing ovary.

How do you know whether your abdominal pain is due to ovulation? For check, see if you are experiencing lower abdominal pain 14 days before your next period. Physicians called painful ovulation mittelschmerz, which means moderate pain which may accompany some spotting or increased vaginal discharge. Some women may experience nausea due to pain or hormonal fluctuations which is not harmful and lasts for a short period.

Ovarian Cysts

In women, ovaries are present on either side of the uterus and have the essential job of producing eggs, estrogen, and progesterone. These all are crucial elements of the menstrual cycle and fertility. Sometimes, a cyst, a fluid-filled sac, will develop on one of the ovaries. Cysts can be symptomatic and cause discomfort. Common symptoms include:

abdominal bloating or swelling
painful bowel movements
pain during sexual intercourse
increased menstrual cramps

More severe symptoms may experience when a cyst has ruptured or twisted the ovary. Symptoms include:

sharp pelvic pain
nausea and vomiting
fever
dizziness

The severe symptoms may warrant your trip to the doctor. Your doctor can check for ovarian cysts using a pelvic exam or an ultrasound.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids may cause abdominal pain in women. You may have uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas) if you are experiencing:

heavy periods that last longer than usual and have many clots
worse menstrual cramping than you usually experience
an increased need to urinate
painful intercourse
a swollen abdomen
pressure or fullness in your lower abdomen

Fibroids are common and usually harmless. Usually, they cause no symptoms, and a woman can live and have them for years without knowing. The National Institutes of Health reports show that 80% of women will have them reaching the age of 50th. Fibroids may grow in many sizes, from microscopic to large ones. They can grow more significant than the size of a grapefruit and can be uncomfortable.

No one knows why they develop or how to prevent them. You only know when you are experiencing the above symptoms or having trouble conceiving; see your doctor. Your doctor can do a physical exam or ultrasound for a quick reveal of fibroids. In menopause, fibroids may shrink or eliminate as there is a drop in levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can stimulate fibroid growth.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition characterized by a group of symptoms that affects your digestive system. IBS symptoms include:

abdominal cramping
bloating
gas
alternating constipation and diarrhea
an irresistible urge to empty your bowel
mucus in your stool

The symptoms may occur over time and can last for days, weeks, or months at a time. You may receive an IBS diagnosis when you experience symptoms at least one day per week for at least three consecutive months. Most women suffer from IBS for unknown reasons. Symptoms may also worsen around the time of menstruation.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is often a severe condition, and it affects up to 10% of American women between the ages of 15-44. It happens when the endometrium, tissue that usually grows inside the uterus, grows outside the uterine cavity. Most commonly on the ovaries, bowel, and other parts of the pelvis. Pain from endometriosis can vary from moderate to severe, with characteristic pelvic pain. Some women may experience this pain all the time, while others feel it only when menstruating or during the one or two weeks before their periods.

Other common symptoms of endometriosis are:

heavy menstrual bleeding
bleeding between periods
painful bowel movements
lower back pain
pain during or after sexual intercourse

If you experience the above symptoms, your abdominal pain is due to endometriosis. You must see your gynecologist for diagnosis and treatment. Endometriosis can cause debilitating pain, which may disturb your routine life. But medical and surgical options can help you manage or cure the condition.

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are more common in women, and they are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause pain, pressure, and bloating in the lower abdomen. UTIs may not cause signs and symptoms, but you may experience:

passing frequent, small amounts of urine
a strong, persistent urge to urinate
strong-smelling urine
may feel a burning sensation during urination
colored urine that appears red, bright pink, or cola-colored, a sign of blood in the urine
urine that appears cloudy
pelvic pain

Coli causes urinary tract infections, a bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It enters the urinary tract through the urethra and begins to multiply in the bladder.

When the infection involves the bladder, it is called cystitis. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis.

In other conditions, the GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra, and an infection of the urethra (urethritis) can occur. Although UTIs can also involve higher parts of the urinary tract, including the kidneys.

Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is also associated with bladder pain syndrome (BPS). It is a chronic feeling of pain and pressure in the bladder area, sometimes accompanied by more generalized pelvic pain and UTI symptoms. The pain fluctuates over time and may vary from mild to severe.

The pain becomes worse with menstruation, sitting for a long time, stress, exercise, and sexual activity. In addition, IC can include pain between the genitals and anus and pain when the bladder is full.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can cause many symptoms, and some of them are painful. Chlamydia and gonorrhea cause the most common bacterial infections of the genital tract.

Chlamydia symptoms usually appear about one to three weeks after exposure and include:

painful urination
lower abdominal pain
vaginal discharge
painful intercourse
bleeding between periods

Gonorrhea symptoms typically occur roughly ten days after exposure and affect the throat, eyes, anus, and genital tract. Symptoms include:

painful or burning feeling when urinating
thick, cloudy, or bloody vaginal discharge
anal itching
painful bowel movements
bleeding between periods

STDs can be asymptomatic, so if you experience any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. Because asymptomatic STDs can cause long-term complications and can transmit to sexual partners. Oral, anal, and vaginal intercourse can all transmit STDs.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when the reproductive organs, the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and uterus become infected. The PID usually occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria from the vagina or cervix spread to other reproductive organs. PID is often asymptomatic but might be detected if you have chronic pelvic pain or have trouble with conception.

You may experience the most common symptoms of PID like lower abdominal pain, pelvis, and lower back. Other symptoms include:

fever
nausea
vomiting
painful or difficult urination
pain or bleeding during intercourse
abnormal uterine bleeding
heavy vaginal discharge with a foul odor

If you experience these symptoms, seek urgent medical care. The condition is treatable, but untreated infection can have chronic complications, like difficulty getting pregnant. Risk factors for PID are having unprotected sex with multiple partners, douching, and recently have had that IUD inserted.

Pelvic Adhesions

Pelvic adhesion can cause lower abdominal pain in women during a bowel movement or when walking, sitting, or lying in certain positions.

It occurs when organs within the pelvis stick together by a band of scar tissue. It affects the organs like fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, and bladder. The inflammation or infection of the pelvic area can cause adhesions.

Pelvic adhesion pain feels like cramps and arises in predictable ways, like from certain motions or positions. It has symptoms such as:

pain in the lower abdomen
vaginal discharge with a foul smell
fever
nausea
painful urination
painful sexual intercourse

You may experience pain from pelvic adhesion if you recently had surgery or have endometriosis. They can form because your body creates scar tissue to heal itself. Also, pelvic adhesions can form after infection or injury and aggravate IBS symptoms.

Urinary Stones

Urinary stones cause mild to severe abdominal pain, depending on where they are present. Kidney stones, ureteral stones, or bladder stones come under urinary stones. All stones originate in the kidneys, where urine forms. These stones are made from deposits of minerals and salts and can move down the urinary tract. You may feel intense pain when urinary tract stones move either within the kidney or pass into the ureter, bladder, or farther down to the urethra.

Kidney stones cause colicky pain which you feel below the ribs, back or side, or lower abdomen and groin. The pain may come in waves and shift locations and cause symptoms like:

painful urination
nausea
vomiting
fever and chills
pink, red, or brown urine
urine that smells or looks cloudy

Ectopic Pregnancy

When pregnancy occurs outside of a uterus, the condition is called an ectopic pregnancy. When a fertilized egg attaches to fallopian tubes, it happens. The chances of ectopic pregnancy are in about one out of 50 pregnancies. It can not complete the term and cause a life-threatening risk for the mother.

It can cause a rupture of the fallopian tube, the place where it implants. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancies are similar to those of pregnancy like:

nausea
tender breasts
fatigue

But ectopic pregnancies can characterize by:

sharp pain in the abdomen and pelvis
vaginal bleeding
dizziness or fainting
rectal pressure

Those at greater risk of ectopic pregnancy include:

mothers over 35 years old
women who have previously had ectopic pregnancies
those who have had pelvic or abdominal surgery
women who have the pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis
those who conceive while undergoing fertility treatments or while an IUD is in place

Urgently see your doctor if you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. An appendix is a small, narrow, tube-like organ that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. You may experience pain in your lower right abdomen.

Appendicitis causes a dull pain near the belly button, gradually intensifying. You feel the pain moves to the lower right side and can grow painful or tender when touched. Other symptoms of appendicitis include:

loss of appetite
nausea
vomiting
fever
constipation
inability to pass gas

The causes of appendicitis are unknown. But some doctors believe it can develop due to blockages from traumatic injury or a buildup of hardened stool. It is a severe medical emergency that requires surgery. If it is left untreated, the appendix will rupture and can cause peritonitis. A condition when bacteria from the appendix spill into the abdominal cavity.

When to Seek Help for Abdominal Pain

Most mild to moderate abdominal pain in women will go without any treatment. But if you feel severe pain that lasts for hours or days, you must see the doctor. Also, if pain begins after an accident or injury. Seek an urgent medical help when you experience the following symptoms:

high fever (101°F or 38.33°C)
blood in stools
vomiting up blood (called hematemesis)
persistent vomiting or nausea
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
swelling or severe tenderness of the abdomen
difficulty breathing

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

In case of mild or moderate abdominal pain, you should call your doctor if you experience:

abdominal pain lasts more than 24 hours
prolonged constipation
a burning sensation when you urinate
loss of appetite
unexplained weight loss
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

How Women Can Prevent Abdominal Pain

Most women suffer abdominal pain due to gynecological issues which cannot prevent. But taking self-care measures can reduce the risk of abdominal pain.

You can follow these to prevent digestion-related pain: