Dangerous Pain in Lower Abdomen

The pain in lower abdomen usually indicates a condition involving the reproductive system and it is therefore advisable that you take note of symptoms and consequences.

Pelvic pain is a lower back pain, or pain in lower abdomen. (Photoxpress)

How do you recognize pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain is pain in lower abdomen or pelvis. The symptoms of pelvic pain or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are tenderness and pain in lower abdomen. Pelvic pain can be acute (lasting days and weeks) or chronic (lasting several months) and have a gynaecological or non-gynaecological origin.

PID of a gynaecological origin starts in lower abdomen and can even spread up to your shoulders. Pain has several causes. It can be the result of ovulation, inflammation of the true pelvis (pelvis minor), blood accumulated in the abdomen, or contractions of the womb after miscarriage. There are a number of causes, and if you feel a sever pain in lower abdomen which is not caused by menstruation, you should take it seriously and see your physician.

PID of a non-gynaecological origin can be the result of diseases of the digestive system (irritable bowel syndrome, hernia, etc.), urinary tract infections and musculoskeletal disorders. Depression and hypochondria commonly occur in association with PID.

On the basis of a thorough examination and a number of laboratory tests, your physician determines whether there is a gynaecological or non-gynaecological cause of PID. Women suffering from acute PID often undergo surgery where the sudden change to abdominal organs is removed (appendicitis, cyst, urinary tract stones). On the basis of thorough tests your physician determines whether an operation is needed immediately.

Pelvic pain and infertility

Infertility is a common occurrence with PID, namely, experts have found that 12 per cent of patients suffering from PID are infertile because of the consequences of the condition. The condition can cause scars on one or both fallopian tubes, which as a result hinder or even block the passage of an egg in order to meet sperm cells. Damaged fallopian tubes are difficult to treat and consequences of the infection can therefore lead to infertility.

It is difficult to determine causes of the condition. However, the most common ones are sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia, abortion, sexual intercourse without a condom and use of intrauterine devices. If pain has its origins in microbes, the infection can successfully be cured with antibiotics, but only if it is detected early enough.

If you feel pain in lower abdomen, or if your periods are unusually painful, do not ignore this and see your physician. He or she will examine your body to check whether it is a false alarm or a serious matter.

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