Female Disorder That Causes Lower Stomach Pain
Lower abdominal pain is discomfort or nagging sensation below the navel or belly button or to the left or right of the lower stomach. It may be difficult to pinpoint the cause of the pain in women because of the reproductive organs in that area. Some of the common reasons are menstrual pain, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, endometriosis and ectopic pregnancy. A doctor will need to be consulted to give a definitive diagnosis of the pain.
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Menstrual Pain
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This pain occurs when women have their period and ranges from mild unease to debilitating. It is caused by contractions in the uterus after the hormone prostaglandin is released by the womb. Menstrual pain is mostly tolerable, but if it is more than an inconvenience then a doctor should be consulted.
Urinary Tract Infections
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Urinary tract infections are very common in women. The infection can occur anywhere in the urinary tract and pain above the pelvic bone is one of the most common symptoms. This infection stems from bacteria found in the anal area. A doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to treat this condition.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
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PID is an infection in the female reproductive system. It can affect any part of the female organs and is usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease. The symptoms can range from none to severe and are very vague. The most common symptom is lower abdominal pain. A doctor can diagnosis PID after an exam and test are performed.
Uterine Fibroids
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Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors found in the uterus and they may not cause any symptoms at all. If there are symptoms, they can include pelvic/lower abdominal pain and pressure. A doctor will decide how to treat these depending on the size of the tumors and your symptoms.
Endometriosis
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Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of the cells women shed each month with a menstrual cycle. When they attach to tissues outside the uterus they are called implants. The most common symptom is lower abdominal pain and it is usually worse near the menstrual cycle. The pain also occurs with bowel movements and intercourse and varies depending on where the implants have grown. Women with these symptoms should seek a doctor's advice.
Ectopic Pregnancy
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This happens early during pregnancy when the egg attaches itself to the outside of the uterus. Women who experience this have pain in the lower right or left abdomen and may experience dizziness or vaginal bleeding. An ectopic pregnancy occurs in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, and many women who have it are not aware they are pregnant. This is a serious problem and medical attention should be sought immediately.
Considerations
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There are many possible causes of lower abdominal pain in women. If you are experiencing any type of lower abdominal pain, you should see a doctor who can diagnose the condition and offer treatment options.
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