Lower Abdominal Pain: Causes, Treatment & Help

Lower abdominal pain occurs in very many people in the course of life. They can have the most diverse causes, because lower abdominal pain comes from the intestinal area as well as from the gynecological area. But also problems with the spine and connective tissue can lead to lower abdominal pain.

What is lower abdominal pain?

A quick blood count, ultrasound, MRI, computed tomography scan, and physical examination will provide information about the causes of lower abdominal pain. There are many types of lower abdominal pain and only the doctor can determine what the underlying reason is. Abdominal pain of any kind is one of the most common symptoms that bring people to doctors’ offices and hospital emergency rooms. There is not always a serious illness behind lower abdominal pain, but it should definitely be clarified by a doctor. Because dangerous diseases such as an intestinal obstruction, a urological disease, appendicitis or even an ectopic pregnancy could be behind the lower abdominal pain. The motto is that if you have lower abdominal pain, it is better to see a doctor once too often than once too seldom. Even harmless types of constipation and bloating can cause significant lower abdominal pain.

Causes

So, lower abdominal pain has very many causes and its cause must be found out quickly. In kidney patients, a stone in the lower urinary tract and bladder can cause pain. The dreaded appendicitis requires a quick diagnosis, because a perforated appendix not only hurts a lot, but it can be life-threatening if it breaks through into the open abdomen. Also requiring emergency treatment is an ectopic pregnancy, which is not even that rare. In this case, the fertilized egg has settled in one of the woman’s fallopian tubes instead of the uterus, which not only inflames it but can also cause it to burst. Intestinal diseases such as gastrointestinal infections, constipation and the dangerous intestinal obstruction also lead to lower abdominal pain. Weak connective tissue in the abdomen can not only hurt, but also cause herniation. Herniated discs are also often manifested by lower abdominal pain.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Appendicitis
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Appendiceal rupture
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Kidney stones
  • Urinary stones

Diagnosis and course

Treatment of lower abdominal pain is based on the diagnosis made by the doctor. Painkillers will be given to the patient only when this diagnosis is finally made, which is sometimes not so easy, especially in the lower abdomen. A quickly prepared blood count, ultrasound, MRI, the computer tomography, as well as the physical examination provide information about the reasons for the lower abdominal pain. In the past, the occurrence of all lower abdominal pain was also called “acute abdomen“, but this term is now considered outdated. The occurrence of lower abdominal pain is problematic in infants and young children, for example. Since they cannot yet say where and how it hurts, the pediatrician must find out as quickly as possible what is behind the complaints. Since especially infants, due to the not yet fully developed immune system very often suffer from gastrointestinal infections, haste is required, because the loss of fluid is life-threatening in diarrhea and simultaneous vomiting.

Complications

Serious or even life-threatening complications can occur with lower abdominal pain. Therefore, if the cause is unexplained and the pain is severe, an immediate visit to the doctor is advisable. Breakthroughs are among the most significant complications of intestinal diseases. If the intestinal wall tears at one point and intestinal contents spill into the abdominal cavity, this is called a perforation. Special care is therefore also required in the case of hernias or inguinal hernias. Here, the intestine can become trapped and blood vessels are squeezed out. As a result, the intestinal contents are held up and the peritoneum becomes inflamed. This complication occurs mainly in the altogether rarer thigh hernias, which almost exclusively affect women. In the case of sudden onset of severe pain in the right lower abdomen, it may be appendicitis. In this case, immediate treatment is vital.Also, if there are signs of an acute abdomen with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and a board-hard abdomen, hospitalization must be sought immediately. Intestinal tangles sometimes also lead to severe complications: if parts of the intestine become tangled or twisted, circulatory problems and even intestinal obstruction may result. If reflux disease is present, a possible complication is the alteration of the cells in the lower section of the esophagus. If these take on similarity to the cells of the stomach, a Barrett’s ulcer develops.

When should you go to the doctor?

Cramping lower abdominal pain is common in women during menstruation and can be relieved by heat and taking pain relievers. A visit to the gynecologist should be made if the pain continues unabated for several days or even intensifies despite these measures. Exceptionally heavy bleeding in conjunction with pain should also be clarified by a doctor. Lower abdominal pain outside of the period makes a visit to the doctor necessary if it occurs suddenly and violently or is accompanied by other symptoms such as burning during urination or blood in the urine. Especially during pregnancy, a visit to the doctor should be made immediately! In men, abdominal pain can also indicate a bladder infection, but also a disease of the prostate or testicles: Complaints that last for days or worsen rapidly are best clarified by a urologist. Lower abdominal pain can be triggered by intestinal diseases in both sexes – if it occurs in conjunction with nausea, vomiting and fever, the route should lead to the family doctor as soon as possible. Pain or pulling in the groin and a protrusion that increases when coughing can indicate a hernia, which may need to be treated surgically – especially with acute onset of symptoms, a visit to the doctor should also be made immediately.

Treatment and therapy

In urology, a urethral tube may be placed if a stone is found and lower abdominal pain is present. Antispasmodics relax the kidney and possibly move the stone out of the urinary tract naturally, but stones may also be broken up with lasers. Ectopic pregnancies usually require surgery, resulting in termination of the pregnancy with preservation of the fallopian tube. If there is a confirmed suspicion of appendicitis, the patient is operated on as quickly as possible to avoid the dangerous perforation and thus peritonitis. Herniated discs are treated conventionally with anti-inflammatory and analgesic preparations, or they are operated on, because they can possibly lead to paralysis of the musculoskeletal system. If a hernia is present, a hernia band is applied and surgery is also performed as soon as possible. Hernias are very common in male infants and in males in general, but there are also female sufferers. In the case of intestinal obstruction, immediate measures are also necessary to prevent life-threatening mesenteric infarction, i.e. the death of part of the intestine. Diarrheal diseases are treated on a pathogen-specific basis. Viruses, bacteria and protozoa can cause severe diarrhea, which can be life-threatening not only in children but also in the elderly. It is important to treat the pathogen accordingly and at the same time to rebalance the water and electrolyte balance with infusions. Various cancers can also cause lower abdominal pain and they can affect the bladder, genital area and intestinal area.

Outlook and prognosis

Lower abdominal pain does not always need to be treated by a doctor. The discomfort is mostly temporary and often disappears after a few hours. This is especially true for harmless triggers such as intolerances, menstrual cramps, mild allergies or an upset stomach. However, if the symptoms persist for a longer period of time or are accompanied by symptoms such as fever or nausea, a doctor must be consulted quickly. It is possible that a serious gastrointestinal infection is present, which can be overcome within a few days with medical care. However, if the infection is not treated, it can spread and lead to various complications. The same applies to lower abdominal pain as a result of an ovarian cyst or inflammation of the ovaries.An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if left untreated; however, if surgery is performed quickly and there are no complications, the prognosis is also quite positive. After treatment, the pain in the lower abdomen usually decreases rapidly. Therefore, the prognosis always depends on the cause, the patient’s constitution, and the time of treatment. In the area of the lower abdomen, serious diseases can occur, but temporary pain is not problematic and promises a positive prognosis. If symptoms persist, a doctor should be consulted for further clarification.

Prevention

Lower abdominal pain can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet rich in fiber. Drinking enough water, avoiding alcohol, and getting enough sleep will help prevent lower abdominal pain. Preventive examinations are generally free of charge in Germany and they help to avoid serious illnesses. Those who pay attention to all this and have regular checkups reduce the risk of lower abdominal pain quite significantly.

What you can do yourself

The limits of self-treatment for lower abdominal pain depend on the intensity and duration of the pain. In the event of severe pain and the onset of fever and impending circulatory collapse, medical treatment must be sought immediately. The cause may be an ectopic pregnancy or appendicitis. Rupture of the fallopian tubes or appendix may result in a life-threatening condition and the emergency call should be made. If the symptoms occur with mild to moderate intensity, antispasmodic and analgesic drugs can be taken. Local heat applications have also proven effective. A cherry stone pillow provides pleasant warmth for a long time and helps to relieve cramps. For menstrual cramps, it is also recommended to take medicinal plants such as monk’s pepper or yam. These are available in tea or powder form. Heat applications, warm sitz baths and preparations of centaury, rosemary and lovage also help with inflammation of the urinary tract. In addition, sufficient fluid intake should be ensured. A tea made from nettle flushes the urinary tract. Increased intake of fluids, heat, light exercise and fine healing clay also help with constipation and intestinal inflammation. This is available in refom and health food stores. If the pain radiates from the kidney area, kidney stones could be causing the discomfort. Again, self-treatment is not possible. A visit to the family doctor should be made promptly. The same applies to fibroids of the endometrium.