Definition
The lower abdomen is the soft area of the abdomen, which is located below the navel and above the groin and pubic bone. Pain in this area can be acute or cause chronic problems. The pain is described as stabbing or pulling, and in many cases it is diffuse throughout the abdomen. Pregnancy itself is rarely the cause of lower abdominal pain. At the risk of rare but very dangerous complications of pregnancy, lower abdominal pain must be clarified in any case.
Causes
The causes of lower abdominal pain can be divided into organic and non-organic complaints. Non-organic causes are rarely responsible for lower abdominal pain. These include skin complaints, pulled muscles in the abdominal wall and pulled ligaments in the groin.
Muscle cramps can also occur, whereas here too the intestine is often the cause. More often, however, the numerous abdominal and pelvic organs in the lower abdomen are responsible. During pregnancy, too, lower abdominal pain is initially caused by the intestine.
Parts of the small and large intestine are located in this area and can become inflamed or show certain diseases. Even slight digestive problems, abdominal cramps or constipation can cause pain. One form of intestinal inflammation that occurs very frequently is the inflammation of the appendix, a small piece of colon located in the right lower abdomen.
Intestinal inflammation in the small or large intestine can be caused by pathogens or with no apparent cause. Frequent chronic inflammation of the bowel is ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Diverticulitis may also be a possible trigger.
Any intestinal diseases other than inflammation can also trigger pain in this section. These include hernias, intestinal infarcts, tumors, intolerances and other diseases. Pelvic organs can also cause pain in the lower abdomen.
Directly in front of the uterus the urinary bladder can be found in the female body. In the case of inflammation, stones or irritation of the urethra or bladder, those affected often describe a pain in the lower abdomen. In some cases, especially during pregnancy, the uterus can be the cause of lower abdominal pain.
In the first months of pregnancy, occasional pain in the lower abdomen is not unusual. Instead of the absence of monthly menstruation, occasional stabbing or cramping pain occurs. These pains can also occur at the end of pregnancy and can be interpreted as exercise pains.
However, it is dangerous in cases of extremely severe pain accompanied by bleeding or fever. In severe cases, these can give an indication of an imminent miscarriage. In order to rule out this dangerous complication, all lower abdominal pain must be clarified during pregnancy.
