Why does the lower abdomen hurt and what to do about it

When you urgently need to see a doctor

Call the ambulance at 103 immediately 15 possible causes of abdominal pain if:

you feel very intense pain that seems to be concentrated in one point;
sharp, stabbing pain is easier if you lie still on your back;
pain is accompanied by fever (temperature rise to 38, 8 ° C and above);
the pain is getting stronger and stronger;
it is accompanied by vomiting, and it is especially dangerous if there is blood in the vomit;
there is black or bloody streaked stools;
at the same time as a sharp pain, you cannot urinate;
the stomach is tense, touching it is painful;
you are pregnant or suspect it;
you recently received a punch in the stomach.

You should not call an ambulance, but be sure to Abdominal pain and consult a therapist or attending physician (gynecologist, urologist, gastroenterologist) as soon as possible if:

Discomfort or mild painful sensations in the abdomen continue for a week or more.
Perceptible abdominal pain appears and disappears, and this condition lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours. Or it gets worse or is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
You don't have any pain, but you have bloating that lasts longer than two days.
There is a burning sensation when urinating, or you just started running to the toilet too often in a small way.
The stomach doesn't seem to hurt much, but there is diarrhea that lasts longer than two days.
You have been experiencing abdominal discomfort for several days now, and this is accompanied by poor appetite.
You have vaginal bleeding.
In addition to abdominal discomfort, you have noticed that you are losing weight.

If there are no emergency conditions listed above or you still have doubts, we will deal with the reasons that cause pain in the lower abdomen.

Why does the lower abdomen hurt?

1. Due to menstrual cramps

This is one of the most common causes of recurrent lower abdominal discomfort in women. The uterus contracts to expel the unfertilized egg and endometrium, and this sometimes results in pain that resembles mild cramps.

What to do about it

Most often, menstrual pain does not need treatment, you can simply endure it. If you don't feel like it, take an over-the-counter pain reliever with ibuprofen or paracetamol. And consult with a gynecologist if menstruation ailments poison your life. The doctor will prescribe a more effective remedy or suitable hormonal contraceptives.

2. Due to endometriosis and other diseases of the uterus, ovarian cysts

Also a common purely female problem. With such diseases, pulling discomfort in the pelvic region is not necessarily associated with menstruation: they can appear at any time of the cycle. Menstruation with such violations lengthens and becomes more painful.

What to do about it

If you suspect a disease of the reproductive system, be sure to consult a gynecologist. Surgery may be needed.

3. Due to ectopic pregnancy

With an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg is fixed and begins to grow not in the uterus, as it should be normal, but in the fallopian tube, cervix or ovary. This does not lead to anything good: sooner or later the growing embryo breaks the walls of the organ to which it is attached. The result is massive and deadly internal bleeding.

What to do about it

At the first suspicion of pregnancy, be sure to contact your gynecologist. All the more so if, with an increase in the term, you more and more clearly feel a pulling pain in the lower abdomen.

4. Due to increased gassing

When bacteria in the small intestine break down incoming and partially processed food, they release carbon dioxide and other gases. If there is too much gas, the pressure in the intestines rises. Parts of the small intestine expand, press on the nerve endings in the abdominal cavity, this causes bloating and pain - sometimes acute.

What to do about it

As a rule, the body copes with such situations on its own: excess gases escape through the anus. If the belly swells up regularly after eating, it is worth revising the diet and abandoning foods that lead to increased work of bacteria.

It is also useful to consult with a gastroenterologist - perhaps he will prescribe prebiotics for you and recommend other ways to cope with the problem.

5. Due to stones or kidney disease

Pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, or other kidney problems cause sudden, excruciating pain in the lower abdomen, closer to the lower back. This pain increases and decreases.

What to do

If you suspect a problem with the kidneys, go to the nephrologist as soon as possible. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medications. In some cases, you may be hospitalized for surgery.

6. Due to urinary tract and bladder infections

Most often, such violations make themselves felt by problems with urination: a burning sensation, cutting pains, frequent urge to use the toilet.

What to do about it

Most of these infections are caused by bacteria. If left unchecked, they multiply, and this can lead to irreversible damage to the bladder. Immediately see a urologist or nephrologist!

7. Due to muscle pain

Perhaps you just tried too hard pumping your lower abs. Or they overextended their abdominal muscles, too actively singing along with their favorite band at a concert. Myalgia (the so-called muscle pain) can be caused by other reasons, which are not always possible to establish.

What to do about it

If muscle pain appears after physical exertion, you can simply endure it. But if there are unpleasant sensations, and you are not in a dream about their causes, go to the therapist: suddenly we are talking about muscle inflammation.

8. Due to appendicitis

Rupture of the appendix begins with a pulling pain in the navel or right lower abdomen, sometimes radiating to the thigh. If, with such symptoms, your temperature rises, your appetite disappears, nausea and bloating appear, the diagnosis of appendicitis becomes more and more real.

What to do about it

Appendicitis is a surgical emergency: an operation is required to remove the damaged organ. Otherwise, there is a high risk of fatal peritonitis. Therefore, if you suspect a ruptured appendix, consult your surgeon or, depending on the severity of your symptoms, call an ambulance.

9. Due to inflammatory bowel disease

A variety of factors can lead to inflammation of the intestinal mucosa:

bacterial or viral infections (swallowed lake water or ate expired product);
food and alcohol poisoning;
the influence of parasites - the same helminth worms;
antibiotic abuse;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, hepatitis.

As a rule, inflammatory bowel lesions are accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, bloating, nausea, and fever.

What to do about it

See a physician or gastroenterologist. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis, the treatment will depend on this. In some cases, it is enough just to lie down and observe the drinking regime. Others will require antibiotics and other medications.

10. Due to bowel cancer

This deadly disease in the initial stages almost does not make itself felt. It manifests itself only with some discomfort, slight soreness in the abdomen, and symptoms - often not very pronounced - digestive disorders.

What to do about it

If discomfort in the lower abdomen bothers you regularly, be sure to consult with a physician or gastroenterologist. The doctor will ask you in detail about the symptoms, prescribe tests and, based on their results, make a diagnosis. Perhaps the alarm will turn out to be false. But this is the very case when it is better to overshoot.