Drawing pain in the lower abdomen in women: what to do?
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A pulling pain in the lower abdomen is the symptom that every woman has encountered at least once in her life. The pain can be caused by a wide variety of reasons, including too violent intimacy, excessive physical activity, lifting weights. In addition, pulling pain in the lower abdomen is a frequent harbinger and companion of menstrual bleeding, and it also sometimes occurs during ovulation.
If the discomfort is caused by physiological reasons, then they do not require any special therapy. However, in some cases, the pain is a consequence of the disease. For example, statistics indicate that a tumor of the uterus is a pathology that is in second place in terms of prevalence among women after breast cancer. Therefore, if pulling pains in the lower abdomen are regular and often bother you, you need to see a doctor and be examined. Age does not matter.
Content:
- Causes of pulling pain in the lower abdomen
- Other causes of pulling pain in the lower abdomen
- What should you pay attention to?
- Treatment of pulling pains in the lower abdomen
Causes of pulling pain in the lower abdomen
As gynecological practice shows, in 60% of cases, pain in the lower abdomen is caused by diseases of the female reproductive system. To isolate the etiological factor leading to uncomfortable sensations, it is necessary to contact the antenatal clinic. To begin with, the doctor will offer the patient to undergo an examination on a gynecological chair. The doctor will assess the size of the uterus, the density of its cervix, identify or state the absence of erosion, polypous growths, etc.
If these data are not enough, then to clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will send the patient to undergo the following studies:
- Ultrasound of the appendages and pelvic organs.
- A smear to determine the vaginal flora.
- Colposcopy.
- Biopsy. It is required if any neoplasms were found in the woman.
Almost always, the doctor recommends that a woman undergo a complete ultrasound examination of the organs located in the abdominal cavity. You may also need to consult narrow specialists: for example, a nephrologist or endocrinologist.
Endometriosis as a cause of pulling pain in the lower abdomen
The uterus is covered from the inside with an epithelium called the "endometrium". If a woman is healthy, then the endometrial cells will be located only inside the uterine cavity. With a combination of certain factors, they are able to go beyond its limits and grow into other organs. This condition is called endometriosis. It is characterized by pulling pains in the lower abdomen. They can be mild or intense enough. In many ways, the strength of painful sensations depends on how much the endometrial cells have grown, as well as on what is the pain threshold of a particular patient.
Endometriosis will also be indicated by brown bloody vaginal discharge that appears at the beginning and end of the menstrual cycle. They do not show any impurities of pus, they do not emit any unusual smell. A distinctive feature is only the brown color of the discharge.
Other signs suggestive of endometriosis:
- The pain that occurs during intimacy, especially often when the sexual partner is on top;
- Inability to conceive a child if there is no contraception throughout the year;
- The appearance of a stabbing pain in the lower abdomen during emptying of the bladder or intestines;
- Painful sensations in the lumbar region and in the pelvic area;
- Abnormally prolonged and profuse menstruation.
Endometriosis requires professional treatment, since ignoring its signs will negatively affect the state of women's health.
Find out more: What is Endometriosis? Causes and symptoms of endometriosis
Diseases of the fallopian tubes
Salpingo-oophoritis is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which is often diagnosed in women of reproductive age. The disease is caused by pathogenic microorganisms that can penetrate both one and both fallopian tubes. Through them, bacteria reach the ovaries and involve them in the inflammatory process.
If a woman's appendages become inflamed, the pain will be acute. As the disease progresses to a chronic form, painful sensations fade away and become less intense. In addition, the woman discovers that the volume of vaginal discharge in her increases and pus appears in them. This indicates that the disease is bacterial in nature.
Other symptoms of salpingo-oophoritis:
- Increase in body temperature to febrile levels;
- Symptoms of general intoxication of the body;
- Chills and sweating;
- Pain that occurs during urination.
On examination, the doctor discovers that the abdominal muscles are tense. In addition, the patient will experience pain when palpating the epididymis from the side where there is inflammation.
Sometimes painful sensations in the lower abdomen occur in a woman when the appendages are twisted. In this case, the pipe bundles are wrapped relative to each other. This causes disturbances in the blood supply system. The pain will be pulling, but quite intense. Nausea and vomiting are possible. Painful sensations can become stronger when a woman tries to change her body position.
When the torsion occurs, the blood vessels are pinched. This can lead to organ ischemia and the death of their tissues. Therefore, severe pain in the lower abdomen requires immediate medical attention.
Cancer of the uterus or ovaries
As a rule, malignant tumors of the genital tract develop latently at the initial stages of their formation. Painful sensations may not bother a woman at all, or have a weak intensity. This is the main danger of the disease, since the patient seeks medical help too late, when the tumor grows to a large size and gives metastases to various organs.
If we turn to the statistics of oncological diseases, then the first five in women is as follows:
- Breast cancer is in the first place. He occupies a leading position, doctors diagnose him in 38% of cases.
- Cervical cancer is also a fairly common pathology, which is diagnosed in 17% of cases.
- Uterine cancer is found in 16% of cases.
- In fourth place is ovarian cancer, with 11% of cases. On the same line is stomach cancer.
- Throat cancer is diagnosed in 7% of cases.
Since it is almost impossible to independently detect an oncological disease in oneself in the early stages, doctors strongly recommend that women be examined by a gynecologist and mammologist at least once a year. Many women mistakenly believe that after entering the climacteric period, they no longer need to regularly visit the gynecological office. In fact, the risk of developing cancer, on the contrary, increases, not decreases. In addition, if a woman has symptoms that are alarming to her, then you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Even minor pulling pains in the lower abdomen may indicate an oncological process.
Find out more: Symptoms, stages and treatment of ovarian cancer in women
Curettage of the uterine cavity
Curettage of the uterus can be used for various purposes:
- Performing an induced abortion;
- Stopping uterine bleeding (provided that drugs do not achieve the desired effect);
- Carrying out a study that allows you to detect malignant neoplasms, or for another diagnostic purpose.
When scraping was performed correctly, it does not cause negative consequences for the woman's body. Mild pulling pains in the lower abdomen may appear, which will go away on their own after a few days. They do not require any treatment and are considered normal. At the same time, a woman should not have a rise in body temperature, purulent discharge from the vagina should not appear. Often, after scraping, the doctor recommends drinking an antibacterial drug, for example, Metronidazole.
Scraping is carried out either with a vacuum apparatus or with a curette. Of course, the first method of performing the procedure is preferable, since it is less traumatic for a woman and rarely leads to complications. However, pain can occur after any type of scraping. When it does not go away after 4 days and tends to intensify, you need to see a doctor.
Other causes of pulling pain in the lower abdomen
It should be noted that pain in the lower abdomen is not always associated with a woman's reproductive system. It is possible that their cause is this or that pathology of the kidneys or bladder.
So, the chronic course of cystitis can provoke painful sensations in the lower abdomen of a pulling nature. They tend to intensify after hypothermia, heavy lifting, etc. In acute inflammation of the bladder, the pain will be sharp and stabbing.
Cystitis is indicated by pain and cramps during urination, but sometimes similar symptoms accompany certain gynecological diseases of an infectious nature. It will not be possible to figure out the causes of the pain on your own, a doctor's consultation is required.
The most common infections that gynecologists diagnose in women of reproductive age are:
- Mycoplasmosis;
- Gonorrhea;
- Trichomoniasis;
- Chlamydia.
In addition to causing pain in the lower abdomen, the bacteria that cause these diseases also contribute to other symptoms. So, almost always a woman will notice changes in the nature of the discharge. Their volume increases, an unpleasant odor emanates from them. Itching and burning may occur in the perineal region.
Diseases of the digestive tract
Painful sensations in the lower abdomen can be triggered by pathologies of the digestive system. A similar situation is observed in about 20% of cases. Most often, pulling pains provoke gastritis or inflammation of the pancreas. It should be understood that during the acute phase of the disease, the pain will be severe, and when the disease becomes chronic, the pain is muted.
The inflammatory process in the gallbladder can also cause pain in the lower abdomen. Against the background of cholecystitis, a woman will experience itchy skin. If bile stagnates in the body, it will lead to yellowing of the skin and eye sclera.
A pulling pain in the lower abdomen can be caused by diseases of the digestive system, then a woman will simultaneously experience the following symptoms (in combination or separately):
- Thirst, accompanied by dryness of the oral mucosa;
- Chills;
- Increased body temperature;
- Nausea and vomiting (undigested food particles may be found in vomit);
- Increased pain after eating;
- Modification of the stool (becomes liquid or, conversely, constipation occurs);
- Against the background of pronounced poisoning of the body, confusion is observed.
Sometimes pulling pains indicate the beginning of the development of such a dangerous process as peritonitis. In this case, the abdominal wall becomes inflamed, and organ suppuration is possible. When a woman with peritonitis does not seek medical help in a timely manner, it is fatal due to blood poisoning.
What should you pay attention to?
You cannot tolerate pain in the lower abdomen. You need to go to an appointment with a doctor and look for possible causes of its occurrence.
To help the doctor make the correct diagnosis, you need to think through the answers to the following questions in advance:
- When does the painful sensation gain maximum strength: in the morning, afternoon, evening or night?
- What happens before the pain starts or gets worse? Perhaps the woman before this takes food, visits the toilet, does physical exercise, etc.
- It is necessary to describe as accurately as possible the nature of the pain and the place of its localization.
- You should try to remember how long ago the first painful sensations appeared.
- It is necessary to clarify how long the pain attack lasts.
- It is important to indicate what other symptoms accompany the painful sensations.
The more detailed a woman describes her condition, the faster the doctor will navigate her problem and will be able to prescribe adequate treatment.
Treatment of lower abdominal pain
Self-diagnosis and treatment in case of pain in the lower abdomen is unacceptable. Only a doctor will be able to prescribe adequate therapy after a thorough examination.
When painful sensations are provoked by physical exertion or too violent intimacy, then sufficient rest will help reduce them. You can also take an antispasmodic such as Drotaverin or another remedy based on it.
When painful sensations are of high intensity, you can take a drug from the NSAID group: Analgin, Ibuprofen, etc.
Some women try to reduce the severity of pain in the lower abdomen by using a hot water bottle for this purpose. However, until the doctor has determined the cause of the pain, the heating pad cannot be used. The fact is that in some diseases, heat can lead to the situation being aggravated.
Therapy of cystitis and pyelonephritis is reduced to taking antibacterial drugs, which are prescribed by the doctor. Amoxicillin and Amoxiclav (Flemoxin, Amosin) are the drugs of choice.
If the patient has serious diseases of the digestive system, then she cannot use antibiotics containing clavulanic acid for treatment.
Drugs from the macrolide group are prescribed when the disease is severe. They have a pronounced healing effect, but they are capable of producing multiple side effects. One of the representatives of this group is the drug Clarithromycin.
To reduce spasms of the bladder, a woman is shown taking antispasmodics. They help to relax smooth muscles, relieve pain. It can be drugs such as Drotaverin, No-shpa, Papaverine. The latter drug is highly desirable to use in the form of rectal suppositories.
As for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, an antibiotic is also required to get rid of the causative agent of the disease. However, for it to be most effective, bacteria must be susceptible to it. Depending on the nature of the disease, a woman may be prescribed systemic antibiotics or topical drugs. It can be drugs such as Lomexin, Gynoflor, Macmiror, Geksikon, Pimafucin.
It should be remembered that most drugs can only affect one or a few pathogens. Therefore, it does not make sense to independently prescribe medicines for yourself without a preliminary examination.
When diseases of the gastrointestinal tract become the cause of pain in the lower abdomen, the following therapeutic scheme is possible:
- Creon or Pancreatin, as drugs that improve digestion.
- Rennie, Gaviscon, Maalox, as drugs that neutralize the effect on the digestive organs of hydrochloric acid.
- Omez or Omeprazole are proton pump blockers.
- Almagel is a drug that envelops the gastric mucosa.
Pulling pains, localized in the lower abdomen, often bother women of different ages. There are many reasons that can lead to their occurrence. To determine and permanently eliminate them, you should consult a doctor.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
