A pulling sensation in the abdomen is a symptom that can have a variety of causes. These depend on the exact location and severity of the discomfort and also on the sex of the patient. It can be both harmless and life-threatening conditions and diseases.
What is pulling in the abdomen?
A pulling sensation in the abdomen can have many causes. Before and during menstruation, many women suffer from a twinge and pulling in the lower abdomen. The term “pulling in the lower abdomen” does not refer to a disease in its own right, but is a symptom that can occur as a result of various diseases and life circumstances. The discomfort may be only slightly noticeable or may become severe pain as it progresses. Often the pulling in the lower abdomen occurs acutely; if complaints occur more frequently, they can also become chronic, depending on the cause. Whereas in the past it was mainly female patients who consulted a doctor, nowadays more and more men are also suffering from problems in the lower abdominal region. Especially when severe acute pain occurs, medical help should be sought by patients of both sexes. Under certain circumstances, internal organs could be affected and cause a life-threatening condition.
Causes
A pulling sensation in the abdomen can have many causes. Before and during menstruation, many women suffer from a twinge and pulling in the lower abdomen. Pregnancy can also lead to similar symptoms, as can inflammation of the ovaries or fallopian tubes. An inflammation of the bladder or urinary tract also causes a pulling and twinge in the same region. If the discomfort occurs mainly on the left side, it may be a colon tumor, a stomach ulcer or even biliary colic. A pulling sensation on the right side indicates appendicitis, constipation, an intestinal infection or a tumor in the intestinal area. Injuries to muscles or even internal organs also cause a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen, which in many cases radiates to the back. Since the pain often cannot be assigned exactly to a region of the lower abdomen, self-diagnosis is usually difficult and requires medical clarification.
Diseases with this symptom
- Cystitis
- Appendicitis
- Dysmenorrhea
- Epididymitis
- Inguinal hernia
- Urinary tract infection
- Biliary colic
- Tubal inflammation
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Testicular inflammation
- Colon cancer
- Stomach ulcer
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cyst
- Testicular torsion
Diagnosis and course
If there is an acute pulling in the abdomen, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the causes. In addition to an anamnesis interview, the physician will palpate the abdomen to find out where the source of the complaint is located. The exact nature and frequency of the symptoms can also help with the diagnosis. An additional blood analysis and an ultrasound examination of the abdomen will provide more detailed information about injuries or changes in the organs. How the symptoms progress further is determined by the underlying disease. Menstrual cramps or mild constipation and intestinal infections are usually harmless and quickly subside after taking home remedies. Appendicitis or intestinal obstruction, on the other hand, can be potentially life-threatening, as can untreated cancer of the intestines or reproductive organs.
Complications
Pulling pain in the abdomen is a common complication in teenage girls, resulting from the fact that the body, especially the reproductive organs, has yet to adjust to the hormonal and muscular demands of the menstrual cycle. If the symptoms are not treated, the discomfort can reach colicky proportions. In adult women, pulling pains in the abdomen may be the first sign of incipient endometriosis. In these cases, uterine lining proliferates outside the uterine cavity, causing severe pain during menstruation. However, there are numerous other causes of pulling pain in the abdomen, all of which can result in serious complications. Nonspecific pain in the lower abdomen must therefore always be clarified by a doctor. If an infection of the internal genital organs remains undetected, this can lead to severe inflammation.These may be accompanied by accumulation of pus in the abdomen and adhesion of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Adhesions in the abdominal cavity are also possible. Inflammation of the peritoneum often spreads to the entire body, causing sepsis (“blood poisoning”). If a cyst is responsible for the pulling pain in the abdomen, it may burst, requiring emergency surgery. Possible complications in men who suffer from pulling abdominal pain include appendicitis (appendicitis) and stomach and intestinal infections or gastric and biliary colic.
When should you go to the doctor?
A pulling sensation in the abdomen does not always need to be examined by a doctor. As a rule, a visit to the doctor is necessary when the pulling in the abdomen occurs over a long period of time and does not disappear on its own. This may be due to a serious inflammation or other disease, which must be treated in any case. Especially in case of tumors or ulcers, urgent treatment of the patient is necessary. Not infrequently, injuries to the internal organs or muscles can also lead to pulling in the abdomen. If the affected person suffers from such injuries, a doctor should also be contacted. Especially in case of further complaints such as constipation or diarrhea, the complaints not infrequently point to appendicitis. If the pulling in the abdomen occurs in girls during puberty, it is usually a common symptom that does not need to be treated. This disappears in most cases after a few weeks.
Treatment and therapy
Pulling in the abdomen and associated discomfort that is relatively mild and short-lived can often be self-treated by the patient. Cramps and pain resulting from menstruation can be treated well with a hot water bottle and possibly mild pain relievers. In the case of mild constipation, exercise, a high-fiber diet and a mild laxative from the pharmacy are helpful. Inflammations of the urinary tract or also of the intestinal tract can heal on their own, but should be examined by a doctor, as they can also develop into chronic complaints. In this case, antibiotics are administered to kill the pathogens completely. Antibiotics are also used for a stomach ulcer, especially if a bacterium is responsible for the disease. If the pulling in the lower abdomen is due to an injury, this must first be treated so that during the healing process the pain in the lower abdomen also subsides. Diseases such as severe appendicitis, advanced gastric ulceration or intestinal obstruction often require surgical intervention. If cancer has been diagnosed, surgery may also be necessary. In this case, the affected parts of the organs are removed. In addition, chemotherapy is given to prevent the cancer cells from growing and to kill them.
Outlook and prognosis
A pulling sensation in the abdomen is usually an indication of menstruation in women. The outlook that the pulling will go away after a few days is good. Each woman can best estimate for herself how long such symptoms will last. If, on the other hand, menstruation does not occur, a pulling sensation in the abdomen can also indicate pregnancy. In most cases, other characteristic signs are then already noticeable, which the woman also notices sooner than the pulling in the abdomen. Towards the end of a pregnancy, light to heavy pulling in the abdomen indicates various forms of labor. They are either practice contractions or labor is being induced. Regardless of gender, abdominal pulling can also be due to digestive problems. Constipation is expected to resolve soon or diarrhea may develop. Affected individuals should make sure they are near a toilet when experiencing such a pulling sensation in the abdomen. Especially if a laxative has been taken or laxative foods have been eaten beforehand, a pulling in the abdomen is a clear sign. If the pulling in the abdomen first occurs in the middle and then moves to the lower right side of the body while steadily becoming more painful, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible, as these symptoms indicate an inflamed appendix. The sooner it can be surgically removed, the better the prognosis for the patient.
Prevention
Pulling in the abdomen can be prevented in some cases.A healthy lifestyle has a positive effect on general health and the immune system and can prevent infections. Those who eat a healthy diet, get enough exercise and avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol prevent stomach ulcers and constipation. Stress and excessive psychological strain should also be reduced in this context. Some cancers can also be prevented in this way under certain circumstances. Of course, genes also play a role in many diseases. Regular check-ups with a doctor should therefore be mandatory for everyone. In principle, the earlier a serious disease is detected, the better it can be treated and the better the prognosis.
What you can do yourself
Pulling in the abdomen refers to a symptom. Various diseases can be considered as a cause. Mild discomfort can be treated supportively by yourself. For pulling pain before or during menstruation, mild painkillers or local heat applications help. Antispasmodic medicinal plants such as valerian, lavender or lemon balm can also be taken in the form of tea. Melissa and lavender oil are also suitable for a relaxing massage of the abdomen. As well-known home remedies, monk’s pepper and yam are also successfully used for complaints of this kind. Homeopathy can help to alleviate the pain with Colocynthis or Cimicifuga. The mineral magnesium has a relaxing effect and is available in powder or tablet form, but should not be taken permanently. Many women also find relaxation techniques such as yoga or conscious breathing exercises helpful in relieving cramps. Intestinal disorders – such as constipation or inflammation – can also be the cause of pulling in the abdomen. Fast help for difficult bowel movements is offered by a laxative from the pharmacy or the intake of flaxseed or psyllium, combined with an increased fluid intake. Drawing pains in the abdomen due to urinary tract infections can also be alleviated by drinking more fluids and taking warm sitz baths. Irritating substances such as coffee and alcohol should be avoided. Furthermore, the body can be supported in its self-healing process by a diet rich in vital substances, regular exercise and the reduction of stress.
