Introduction
Burning in the abdomen is a symptom that can have various causes. The symptoms can come from the organs of the pelvis, for example the bladder, the genitals or the pelvic floor. A burning sensation in the lower abdomen can be very unpleasant and should be clarified by a doctor if there is no improvement.
Causes
The causes of burning pain in the abdomen are many and varied. A very common cause is a urinary tract infection. Both the bladder and the urethra can be affected.
The inflammation of the bladder is also known medically as cystitis, the inflammation of the urethra as urethritis. It manifests itself by burning pains in the abdomen, which become worse when pressure is applied, and by a burning sensation when urinating. Some women also experience the monthly menstrual pain as a burning sensation in the abdomen, but it is usually more likely to be cramping.
The same applies to the so-called middle pain, which announces ovulation towards the middle of the cycle. Furthermore, the pain can also be caused by diseases of the genital organs, for example inflammation of the fallopian tubes or ovaries (pelvic inflammatory disease), infection of the vagina (vaginitis, colpitis) or, in men, inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis). Pain in the right lower abdomen is often suspected of appendicitis, while pain in the left lower abdomen may indicate diverticulitis.
The latter is more likely to occur in older people and is caused by the inflammation of small protrusions of the intestinal wall. Last but not least, the lower abdomen is held in place by the strong pelvic floor, which consists mainly of muscles. An irritation of nerves or tendons there can cause burning and pulling pain in the abdomen.
These then often radiate into the groin or hip/buttock area. In the following we will go into more detail about the possible causes. The bladder is a frequent source of burning in the abdomen.
In a bladder infection, bacteria attach themselves to the bladder walls and cause painful irritation. Urination is usually also very painful. The person affected feels a constant urge to urinate, even without the bladder being filled at all.
The triggering bacteria are often intestinal bacteria that have been carried from the anus into the urethra. They rise through the urethra into the bladder and cause the inflammatory reaction. Due to the anatomical proximity of the intestinal outlet and the urethra and the shortness of the female urethra, women in particular are often affected by this clinical picture.
However, men can also develop a bladder infection. An uncomplicated cystitis in women is treated either conservatively with a lot of fluid intake and possibly herbal preparations or with a single dose of antibiotic (Fosfomycin). For recurrent urinary tract infections, other antibiotics are given over a longer period of time (for example ciprofloxacin or nitrofurantoin).
Cystitis in men is classified as a complicated cystitis and is usually always treated with antibiotics. Many women suffer from a variety of physical and psychological complaints in the days leading up to menstruation, such as depression, mood swings, irritability, water retention and abdominal pain. These symptoms are known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Burning pain in the abdomen, abdominal cramps and a strong pulling in the uterus are also part of PMS and often occur a few days before the period. The abdominal pain is due to the hormones. One particular hormone in particular, prostaglandin, causes the smooth muscles of the uterus to contract and cramp.
As a result, the lining of the uterus is no longer sufficiently supplied with blood and can be rejected in the form of menstrual bleeding. This process causes cramp-like pain in the abdomen and can also manifest itself as a burning or pulling sensation. Burning in the abdomen after sexual intercourse can have different causes.
If it occurs immediately after intercourse, it can only be caused by mechanical irritation of the lower abdominal tissues. In women, micro-fissures in the mucous membrane of the vagina can cause burning pain, which however subsides soon after. The muscles of the pelvic floor are heavily strained during sexual intercourse and can also cause sore muscles afterwards.
If the complaints occur later after intercourse, it can also be an infection that was transmitted from one partner to the other during intercourse. Examples are fungal infections, chlamydia or herpes virus infections in the genital area (see: genital herpes). In addition to a burning sensation on the genital organs, other symptoms often occur, such as characteristic skin symptoms or itching.
A burning sensation in the abdomen during pregnancy can have various causes, but these should always be clarified by a doctor as a precaution. Often harmless causes are the reason for the complaints. As the baby grows, more and more space is taken up in the mother’s abdomen over time and the uterus is stretched.
It is suspended from various straps in the abdominal cavity, which are also stretched by the growing baby. Since there are many nerves running through it, there can be burning and pulling pain. If the pain is severe, however, it could also be an ectopic pregnancy in early pregnancy, which could soon become dangerous for the woman.
A pregnancy that does not end soon could also lead to a miscarriage. For this reason, a medical examination is always recommended if the symptoms persist. This is the only way to exclude serious causes for the complaints.
A few days before the birth, some pregnant women feel a burning sensation in the abdomen and vagina. This can be a sign that the birth is about to begin. The pain is caused by the fact that the cervix opens just before birth and the plug of mucus that has closed the cervix during pregnancy comes off.
The first contractions then become noticeable with a pulling in the abdomen. When the woman ovulates monthly, the so-called mittelschmerz can occur. Not all women feel this pain, but it can manifest itself in the middle of the cycle by a slight pulling or burning sensation in the abdomen. The pain is caused either by the size of the ovum that has ruptured or by the resulting bleeding, which leads to local irritation of the peritoneum.
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