Lower abdominal pain is not fun. Many of us women have to deal with cramps, dull aches, and sharp jolts of pain throughout our lives, and working out the cause is not all that easy.
You see the symptoms could mean a variety of things, which is why Women's Health spoke to a gastroenterologist to find out how to distinguish between the different types of lower abdominal pain women have and what you can do once you've deciphered the cause.
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What could cause pain in lower abdomen for women?
'Lots of reasons,' was the answer Dr Derek Chan, a NHS and Private Gastroenterologist and lead in Nutrition at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust, gave us.
But don't despair, to work out what could be causing pain in your lower abdomen, with the help of Dr Chan, WH has broken it down to three possible causes: digestive, urinary and reproductive issues.
1/ Lower abdominal pain in women: digestive issues
'Pain in the lower abdomen can firstly be associated with abdominal bloating, your bowels and passing motions or excessive wind,' says Dr Chan. 'Trying to work out which one it is? Look at the triggers.'
To work out if your lower abdominal pain is linked to your digestive system, Dr Chan recommends we look closer at our bodies. 'Do your digestive problems happen after you eat certain foods?' asks Dr Chan.
'If you're experiencing lower abdominal pain, it's a good idea to keep a food diary and be specific about the different reactions your body has.' Keeping a diary for a month while you go about your regularly scheduled food programming should help you to decipher which foods could be causing your lower abdominal pain.
How can we tell the difference between IBS, IBD and constipation?
'If your symptoms are associated more with certain food types, it's most likely to be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This can also be caused by being stressed or anxious so it's important you also try to prioritise your mental health.'
Constipation can be a symptom of IBS. If you're not pooing at least three times a week then you could be constipated.
When you're trying to work out if your abdominal pain is related to digestive issues, it’s important to think about how your body feels before or after you empty your bowels, says Dr Chan.
Ask yourself, ‘does the pain lessen after emptying my bowels or before and after I use the bathroom? Because if you have been excessively eating, drink and there’s an ‘excessive flatulence’ before opening the bowels, it’s more likely to be a digestive issue.'
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), on the other hand, is a term mainly used to describe two conditions: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It can cause inflammation, ulcers and other damage to the bowel.
IBD is a more serious problem than IBS, but Dr Chan says noticing the difference between these three from home is not possible so it's advised to see a GP for advice.
2/ Lower abdominal pain in women: urinary issues
Another cause of lower abdominal pain is cystitis. Nearly all women get this UTI at some point in their lives, as cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder. It can occur for various reasons, a few include: friction from sex, perfumed soap or shower gel or radiotherapy to your pelvic region.
General cystitis should clear within three days but if it doesn't and your cystitis keeps coming back, you should consult your GP.
3/ Lower abdominal pain in women: reproductive issues
'If you are having lower abdominal pain during the menstrual time of the month, this is usually connected to it being a reproductive issue,' says Dr Chan.
'Lower abdominal pain can actually be both a digestive and reproductive issue, which is why it’s best to seek advice from a doctor whenever you have a concern.'
What is the procedure if the lower abdominal pain is a reproductive issue?
'Initially, blood tests will be taken,' says gastroenterologist Dr Chan.
'Your general health will be checked and you may be given vitamin checks to see if you can absorb things properly. Your GP might also try the contraceptive pill.'
'You also may be tested for thyroid disease and celiac disease as this can cause a hormonal imbalance and pain in the lower half of your body, as well as other side effects such as bloating.'
The type of tests taken on women also depend if you are at a reproductive age, as 'an ultrasound of the pelvis will be taken, as well as colonoscopy and your stool will also be checked (i.e the poo test).'
How can you work out if your lower abdominal pain is endometriosis, PCOS or any other reproductive issue?
'These are difficult to distinguish by yourself, so readers should be tested by a medical professional as there’s no symptoms that can tell you what it is from home,' says Dr Chan.
In short, stop Googling your symptoms as there could be a plethora of reasons you’re having lower abdominal pain.
When should I go to the doctor about abdominal pain?
Sometimes, when you have lower abdominal pain, it can be difficult to work out whether they are cramps, a general ache or something more serious.
‘If you notice something new with your body and it’s not improving or it’s generally affecting your quality of life and causing you worry, it’s always better to seek medical advice instead of leaving something,’ ensures Dr Chan.
Think you might have cystitis? This is everything you need to know about the causes and symptoms.
