Women often experience lower abdominal pain, but it’s not always caused by something serious. In most cases, it’s just a symptom of something like constipation or menstrual cramps.
However, there are some causes for lower abdominal pain in women which can be more serious so you should see your doctor if you’re experiencing this symptom.
Also, be aware that some types of pain can come from other sources besides your uterus or reproductive organs such as your kidneys and intestines!
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection that affects the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. PID can be caused by a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Women who experience PID may experience some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain (usually on one side only around the hip bone below belly button)
Ovarian Cysts
An ovarian cyst (also called a cystic utero-ovarian mass) is a fluid-filled sac that develops on or in the ovary. Most of these are benign, but some may contain cancerous cells.
The most common symptom of an ovarian cyst is pain. Other symptoms include bloating and difficulty eating because of abdominal fullness.
If you have lower abdominal pain and think you might have an ovarian cyst, your doctor will need to figure out if it’s there and what kind it is before they can recommend treatment options for you.
Your doctor will examine your abdomen and perform some tests such as ultrasound or blood tests to help determine if you have one of these growths; however, not every woman who has these types of growths experiences symptoms like pain or bloating so there may be other reasons why they would want to do further testing as well!
Sexually Transmitted Diseases – STDs
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can be caused by bacteria and viruses. They can be transmitted through sexual contact.
When one partner is infected with an STD, it is possible for that person to pass the infection on to another partner during sexual activity.
Some STDs are more serious than others, but all can cause health problems if left untreated. Many STDs can be prevented through safe sex practices such as using condoms every time you have sex or avoiding unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex altogether
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. This can cause scarring, cysts, and adhesions (abnormal attachments between organs).
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown but it may be related to immune system problems or other issues with your reproductive system.
Endometriosis is often first diagnosed during a routine pelvic exam when your doctor feels lumps or nodules in your pelvic area.
Your doctor may also use imaging tests like ultrasound to help diagnose endometriosis if you have symptoms but no lumps can be found on physical examination alone.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus. They can be as small as a pea or as large as an orange, and they can grow anywhere within your uterus.
The most common symptom of uterine fibroids is lower abdominal pain. In addition to this pain, you may also experience irregular bleeding and other symptoms such as a feeling of pressure in your abdomen, constipation or diarrhea, tiredness and bloating.
Urinary Tract Infection – UTI
Urinary tract infections are a common cause of lower abdominal pain in women. A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract, causing an infection. UTIs are usually caused by poor hygiene and can be treated with antibiotics.
Cancer in the female reproductive organs
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control, forming malignant tumors that can continue to grow and spread.
Cancer can affect any part of the body, including the reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva) and fallopian tubes.
If you have lower abdominal pain, you might be suffering from one of these common causes.
Causes of lower abdominal pain are more common than you might think, and they can be broken down into two categories: non-serious and serious.
Tenderness in the pelvic region (below the navel) that comes and goes can often be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). If you have any other symptoms such as discharge from your vagina, fever, nausea or vomiting, and/or pain during urination or sex it is important to see your doctor immediately. You may need treatment with antibiotics to clear up the infection so it does not spread further or cause other problems.
Takeaways
It’s important to know the cause of your abdominal pain so that you can get the right treatment. If you are experiencing lower abdominal pain, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible and get tested for STDs or other infections.
