What Is Female Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain is pain or discomfort in the anatomical area below the lower margin of the diaphragm (muscle of respiration) and above the pelvic bone. As a woman, it is common to experience some discomfort or pain in the abdomen from time to time. This can be due to poor sleeping habits or issues with the digestive tract. But many times, the root cause might be a gynecological problem that may manifest as abdominal pain. The discomfort is experienced as pressure, fullness, or heaviness in the lower abdomen. The pain varies according to its cause. It can be localized or spread to the adjacent area. It can be acute, chronic, intermittent (on and off), continuous, dull, sharp, colicky, cramping, etc.
What Are the Types of Female Abdominal Pain?
The types of female abdominal pain are as follows:
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Cramp-like pain can be due to miscarriage, menstruation, or other problems in the female reproductive organ.
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A localized pain limited to one area is often caused by problems in a particular organ.
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Colicky pain is usually a sign of kidney stones or stones in the gallbladder. The pain feels like a severe muscle spasm and occurs suddenly.
The symptoms of abdominal pain may worsen during urination, bowel movements, intercourse, or long periods of sitting or standing. The intensity and duration of the pain are different in each woman. Increased abdominal pain that gets worse over time may be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Female Abdominal Pain?
In general, the possible causes of pain in the abdomen, include;
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Infections like shingles (herpes zoster infection).
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Abnormal growths.
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Inflammatory conditions like appendicitis, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, etc.
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Obstruction (blockage) caused by gallstones, kidney stones.
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Intestinal disorders.
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GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
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Abdominal injury.
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Uremia (build-up of waste products in the blood).
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Hernia (internal organ pushes out through a weak spot in the muscle).
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Urinary tract infection.
What Are the Causes of Female Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain in females mainly can be due to:
1. Ectopic Pregnancy - It occurs when the fetus grows outside the uterus. It is characterized by mild cramps, followed by sharp stabbing pain. The pain radiates up toward the shoulder, lower back, or neck. This type of pregnancy can result in internal bleeding and cause a life-threatening complication to the mother.
2. Menstrual Pain - The pain experienced during menstruation is termed dysmenorrhea. Pain before menstruation is referred to as premenstrual syndrome. They are accompanied by other symptoms such as irritability, bloating, anxiety, insomnia, joint pain, headache, mood swings, and more. This may feel like badgering pain in the thighs and lower back or cramps in the abdomen.
3. Ovulation - Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary along with some fluid. It takes place about 10 to 14 days before the menstrual period. For precise ovulation tracking, doctors recommend buying an ovulation prediction kit. The discharged fluid can spread within the pelvic area and cause pain and irritation in that area. It is temporary and may switch sides.
4. Ovarian Cysts - These are sacs of fluid that form in the ovaries. Most of them present with little or no symptoms and disappear on their own. However, an enlarged cyst can burst, causing sudden sharp pain in the abdomen. Spotting may also be seen.
5. Miscarriage - Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the 20th week. Symptoms like fluid, blood, or tissue passing through the vagina and pain in the stomach or lower back are seen.
6. Uterine Fibroids - Fibroids are benign tumors in the uterus. They are seen in 70 percent of women in their reproductive years. Most of the women do not show any symptoms at all. Large fibroids may show symptoms like dull-aching pain or a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen or the pelvis. Heavy bleeding, bleeding during intercourse, leg pain, back pain, constipation, or trouble during urination can also be seen. They can cause infertility. When fibroids are devoid of the blood supply, they begin to die, resulting in sharp, severe abdominal pain.
7. Endometriosis - In this condition, the tissue that lines the uterus called the endometrium grows outside the uterus. But, it behaves as if it is in the uterus by responding to hormonal changes like thickening and shedding. It is the cause of prolonged abdominal pain in most women.
8. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - It occurs when the infection or inflammation from the vagina or cervix spreads to other reproductive organs. This sexually transmitted disease may cause heavy vaginal discharge, foul odor, pain or bleeding during intercourse, nausea, vomiting, fever, or painful urination. Scarring of the reproductive organs cannot be treated, but complications such as ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and abscess can be treated if diagnosed early.
9. Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction - These are a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to have a bowel movement. It causes severe muscle spasms and severe cramps in the legs.
10. Ovarian Cancer - Abdominal pain or discomfort caused by ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed and confused with other benign conditions. They are not detected until it spreads to the pelvis in many instances.
11. Pregnancy Pain - Abdominal or pelvic pain during pregnancy to some extent is expected as the body tends to stretch and allow the fetus to adjust and grow. When it is associated with symptoms like vaginal bleeding or lasts for a more extended period, it is a matter of concern and should be discussed with a gynecologist.
How to Diagnose the Cause of Female Abdominal Pain?
The possible causes of abdominal pain are many, and a thorough physical examination and a series of tests are required. The physical examination includes checking for swelling and pain in different abdomen areas. Depending on the symptoms and duration of abdominal pain, the doctor may suggest other tests, which include:
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Vaginal swabs or cervical smears to check for infections.
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An ultrasound of the abdomen and computed tomography scan will provide the detailed image of the organs to detect ovarian cysts, gastrointestinal tract abnormalities, and gallstones.
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Urinary culture can be advised to check for urinary tract infections.
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Blood and urine tests should be taken to look for signs of infection.
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Laparoscopy is used to visualize the organs.
How to Treat Female Abdominal Pain?
Treatment of female abdominal pain includes:
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Pain medication.
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Antibiotics.
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Anti-inflammatory medications.
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Antidepressants.
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Hormonal medications or birth control pills.
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Relaxation exercises.
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Laparoscopic surgery in needed cases.
Conclusion:
Mild abdominal pain does not need any treatment. Persistent abdominal pain should never be overlooked as it could signify a severe underlying gynecological problem. It is difficult to know whether the discomfort is caused by something simple or more serious. Early intervention is essential for diagnosing most underlying health conditions. It helps in making the proper diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.
