Abdominal pain can occur in both sexes. However, in women, abdominal pain may indicate different diseases than in men. For example, abdominal pain in women is more common as part of menstrual cramps.
What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is the term used to describe pain in the lower abdomen. It should be distinguished from abdominal pain and stomach pain. Lower abdominal pain is pain of the lower abdomen. They are to be distinguished from abdominal pain and stomach pain. They can be unilateral or affect the entire abdomen and have various causes – therefore they are not an independent disease, but a symptom. Abdominal pain can be crampy, causing quite severe pain, which is the most common form. Occasionally, however, they are mild and then usually indicate a harmless health condition. In men, abdominal pain tends to indicate inflammation of the prostate. However, cross-sex diseases or health disorders may also be responsible for abdominal pain.
Causes
Women are familiar with abdominal pain that occurs once a month and accompanies or even heralds menstruation. A few days before the onset of menstruation, abdominal pain sets in and can be very mild, but can also develop considerable strength. In severe cases, they make women unable to work for one or more days, as they are accompanied by nausea, vomiting and circulatory problems. The cause of abdominal pain is the hormones that circulate during menstruation. Violent abdominal pains also occur in appendicitis, which is always a serious case and must be treated. However, they develop slowly at first, progressing from nonspecific stomach pain to abdominal pain that is right-sided – unless the organs are mirror-imaged, which is rare but still occurs occasionally. Unilateral, severe pain is therefore a case for the emergency room. Less significant are mild to moderate abdominal pains that accompany gastrointestinal problems, for example. They may indicate the onset of diarrhea, but can also represent constipation. Usually, these abdominal pains will resolve on their own once the gastrointestinal problems have passed or you have been to the bathroom.
Diseases with this symptom
- Period pain
- Prostatitis
- Endometriosis
- Uterine prolapse
- Testicular inflammation
- Diverticulitis
- Appendicitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ovarian cyst
- Tubal inflammation
- Epididymitis
- Mesenteric infarction
- Inguinal hernia
- Renal pelvic inflammation
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
- Testicular Torsion
- Intestinal obstruction
Complications
Abdominal pain may indicate tubal inflammation. The fallopian tube may become stuck and as a result, there may be infertility and a tendency to abdominal pregnancy. The inflammation may spread to the abdominal cavity. Abdominal pain becomes more severe and emergency surgery may be necessary. Abdominal pain may be associated with ovarian cysts. The cysts may twist and consequently cut off the blood supply to the ovary. Again, emergency surgery is necessary. Abdominal pain may be related to a condition called endometriosis. In this case, ovulation is prevented at the ovary. Consequently, fertility decreases. In connection with abdominal pain, the renal pelvis and kidney may become inflamed, and kidney stones may also form. The prostate may become inflamed. Abscesses may form, requiring surgical removal. The appendix can also become inflamed. If the inflammation is not treated, the abdominal cavity may also become infected. Hernia of the groin may occur. Because the hernia sac can become trapped between muscles, surgery should be performed immediately.
When should you go to the doctor?
Abdominal pain is always uncomfortable. However, a visit to the doctor is rarely necessary. It must be distinguished in each individual case whether a visit to the doctor is necessary. For this, all circumstances of the individual case should be determined and weighed against each other.The following factors must be taken into account in the course of consideration: Type, duration and intensity of the abdominal pain, accompanying symptoms, possibly existing pre-existing conditions and the causes under consideration. In general, it is advisable to decide to see a doctor when in doubt. This is because the earlier medical treatment is initiated, the greater the chances of success. Women always suffer from abdominal pain when they have their period. The symptoms occurring in this context can be severe. Nevertheless, a visit to the doctor does not have to be mandatory. Rather, it is advisable to wait a few days at first and observe the pain. In the case of particularly intense abdominal pain, however, there should be no hesitation. This also applies if other symptoms occur in addition to the abdominal pain, which suggest the suspicion of a serious illness. If the symptoms are mild to moderate, the family doctor should be consulted first. He can confirm or defuse existing suspicions. If necessary, he or she will refer the patient to a specialist. For women, a referral to a gynecologist is the best option. In men, it may be helpful to contact a urologist.
Treatment and therapy
Abdominal pain from menstruation is easily treated in most cases. Affected women need a simple, over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and the pain should subside soon after. If that does not help, women should have a stronger dosage prescribed by their doctor. Only in very few cases is the abdominal pain so severe that it can no longer be treated by common painkillers and must be suppressed by the pill – in extremely rare cases, a hysterectomy must be performed to provide relief. Abdominal pain is also terminated surgically if it is appendicitis: The affected organ must be surgically removed immediately, otherwise it may burst and cause life-threatening sepsis. Abdominal pain due to gastrointestinal discomfort, on the other hand, is harmless and is often left untreated, as the gastrointestinal problems also disappear on their own.
Outlook and prognosis
Abdominal pain develops depending on its cause. In women of fertile age, they often have an easily identifiable cause: menstrual bleeding and the discomfort that accompanies it. Abdominal pain in young girls is normal and is part of the body’s process of adjustment to adult life. They usually improve towards the end of puberty or even disappear altogether. If the abdominal pain during the period remains difficult to bear even in adulthood, it is possible to use the birth control pill to obtain a long-term cycle. This will make the abdominal pain occur less frequently. On the other hand, abdominal pain that first started as mid abdominal pain and then migrated downward is more likely to indicate a problem in the appendix. If the discomfort is mild, it may be harmless indigestion. They improve after some exercise or a trip to the bathroom. However, if this does not help or if the abdominal pain gets worse, it will not go away on its own. If appendicitis is actually present, it will get worse and worse and eventually damage the walls of the inflamed appendix. This means that it can rupture and inflamed fluid can spread all over the abdomen. The result would be severe, potentially life-threatening sepsis (blood poisoning). If the appendix is removed in time, abdominal pain improves soon after surgery and there is no longer any danger.
Prevention
If the woman is aware that she usually has abdominal pain when she has her period, she should start to prevent the abdominal pain early. If she notices the abdominal pain the night before, it may help to take a pain pill immediately so that the pain is not as severe the following morning or at least can be treated quickly. However, this should only be done in consultation with the gynecologist. To prevent gastrointestinal problems that bring abdominal pain, you should try to eat a healthy diet that includes a lot of fiber and fresh ingredients, but only some fat in moderation. Likewise, regular jogging, gymnastics and yoga can have a preventive effect.The abdominal pain will be less frequent because the digestive activity is regulated. However, appendicitis is a cause of abdominal pain that cannot be prevented at all. Some people never get problems, in others they occur from unknown causes.
This is what you can do yourself
Abdominal pain can have a wide variety of causes and should therefore always be clarified by a doctor. Accompanying medical treatment, the discomfort can be relieved with a number of home remedies and measures. Mild cramps can usually be alleviated by sufficient exercise and fluids. Bed rest and relaxation are also recommended. Restful sleep is the most effective remedy for rule-related abdominal pain. Heat applications with a cherry pit pillow or hot water bottle help with particularly intense pain. A hot bath can be taken to relax muscles and nerves. In conjunction with relaxation-promoting oils such as lavender, rosemary and chamomile, this can provide rapid relief from pain. Cold, on the other hand, should be avoided until the symptoms have subsided. For mild pain, an abdominal massage with essential oils such as rosemary or chamomile can help instead. Otherwise, a light diet and a diet rich in minerals and vitamins are recommended. Various herbal teas also have a pain-relieving effect and help especially against possible accompanying symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Cold and acidic drinks such as coffee or alcohol should be avoided until the abdominal pain has subsided. Alternative remedies include aloe vera and fennel, as well as yoga and breathing exercises and meditation.
